VIDEO: Syrian and Iraqi Families Bring Pope Francis to Tears Singing Psalm in Aramaic
Robby Berman
Slate
The magical performance in this video features the choir of the Georgian Orthodox Church, and took place in the Church of St. Simon the Tanner in Tbilisi, Georgia, when Pope Francis visited Sept. 30. While there, he offered a plea for peace for the persecuted and the victims of war—in Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere.
If the powerful performance moves you to tears, you’re not alone—it had the same effect on the pope. The choir was made up of people from Syrian and Iraqi families and was led by their Friar Seraphim. It’s the well-known Psalm 53, “Our Father,” but sung in Aramaic. Its ancient sound is no doubt one reason the effect is so otherworldly.