Bagpipes at Ground Zero Orthodox Church

[Coemgen]

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which was built in the shadow of the World Trade Center and destroyed on the 9-11 Attacks, held a Divine Liturgy and memorial service near the location where the church building formerly stood to celebrate their feast, St. Nicholas' Day (December 6).

The page below has a video report by the NY1 news channel on the service. At the end, there's a brief shot of a bagpiper (can't tell what the tune is); I presume it was during the memorial service after the liturgy.

http://www.ny1.com/content/special_r...e/Default.aspx

[Mr. MacDougall]

Huh. Seems odd that a Greek Orthodox group would invite a piper, but hey, cool none the less!

[MacHummel]

Well being Greek orthodox myself, I play the pipes and have played at a couple of weddings. Most of the folks I know that are greek love the pipes and there is a similar instrument to the pipes that the greeks play called a gaitha it has a beautiful sound to it.

[Kiltman]

I too am Greek Orthodox. The Scottish Country Dancers practice at the Greek Church after the Presbyterians decided that five nights of basketball was better than a night of SCD. The Scottish Country Dancers have performed for the seniors and have contributed to the Churches auction to repair the windows, etc.

[macwilkin]

Huh. Seems odd that a Greek Orthodox group would invite a piper, but hey, cool none the less!

Our own Prester John held a Kirkin' of the Tartans service at his Orthodox parish in Canton OH several years ago.

Remember, Scotland, Greece and Russia all share the same patron saint -- Andrew the first-called.

T.

[drobin]

(can't tell what the tune is); I presume it was during the memorial service after the liturgy.

I do believe its "Highland Cathedral" by Roever & Korb. Unless I'm wrong of course then its a different tune or different composer(s) and then I can't help you.

[Galician]

Thanks for this link, Kevin. I used to pray in that church daily during my lunch hour when I worked in the WTC, since it was right across the street. Its destruction was part of the heartache for me of that terrible day (along with the three relatives lost in my extended family--and my own escape from the scene).

I can assure you that, like me, many people who went there to pray were not Greek or Orthodox. Their memorial service for all the victims was fitting to their place in the history of that day.

[Prester John]

As an Orthodox priest, I can tell you that it is unusual, but not odd.

My son and I both play the pipes!

And I'm not the only kilted clergyman, nor piper, among the clergy!

[vmac3205]

That was a nice tribute. Thank you for sharing. With the yellow strip down the kilt, I'm thinking the piper was from a police band.

[castledangerous]

I played at an Armenian Apostolic Church wedding this fall...