Australian and New Zealand Diocese (ROCOR)

Most Reverend Brother Archpastors, Venerable Fathers, Monastics, Brothers and Sisters!

Peace be with you from the Abode of the Miracle-Working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign!”

I warmly greet you all with love on the great holidays of the Nativity of Christ, Theophany, and the New Year, sincerely wishing you inner peace, joy, and tranquility, renewal of all your strength, and God’s help! May the fruit you have gained from the past Advent, fasting, and this joyful celebration continue until the Great Fast and the Pascha of Christ, when, as during the Holy Days, being in the church becomes so delightful that you do not want to leave it. (more…)

Преосвященные собратья-архипастыри, всечестные отцы, монашествующие, братья и сестры! Мир Вам из Дома чудотворной Коренно-Курской иконы Божией Матери “Знамение”!

Всех вас с любовью приветствую с великими праздниками Рождества Христова, Богоявления и Новолетия, сердечно желая внутреннего мира, радости и покоя, обновления всех сил и помощи Божией! Испытанный вами плод от прошедшего поста, говения и нынешнего радостного празднования да продлится до поста Великого и Пасхи Христовой, когда, как и на Святках, пребывание в храме становится столь сладостным, что не хочется выходить из него.

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From 26-30 December 2025, Fr Gabriel Makarov accompanied a group of 18 youth to the Kazan Convent in Kentlyn to stay at the convent and fulfill physical obediences with the aim of acquiring some spiritual experience and contributing to the monastery and its sisters through their physical labour.

With the blessing of Archbishop George and the convent’s Abbess Maria (Miros), the pilgrimage was organised by the Brisbane St Nicholas Cathedral Youth and included youth from 3 other parishes in the Northern Deanery. During the convent stay, 4 other young men from Perth and Sydney also joined the group and participated in much of the pilgrimage programme.

For most of the youth, this was their first visit to a Russian Orthodox monastery. The days were filled with prayer, church services and of course, obediences. A series of uplifting spiritual talks were given by Abbess Maria, Fr Nikita Chemodakov, Abbott Dorofei (Urusau) and Fr Gabriel Makarov, covering a very wide range of topics previously suggested by the youth. At various times, Abbess Maria also took aside the young ladies in the group and spoke to them separately. (more…)

An amazing start to the first Adelaide Syezd in 30 years!
We welcome everyone to Syezd and had a moleben, followed by fun icebreakers + dinner. Excited for the coming days

Day 2 of Syezd 2025 began with the morning run club getting up early at 6:30. In the morning we had our first talk given by Fr George Lapardin, followed by morning tea and group discussions. Thank you to Sister Maria, Fr Barnabas, Fr George, Fr Vlad, Fr Paul as well as Fr Jovan and Fr Milorad from the Serbian church who came to participate in the group discussions. (more…)

Day one in Geelong kicked off with registration and a Mexican themed dinner, followed by a Moleben in the church. The night continued with fun games and getting to know each other before finishing with evening prayers and heading off to the accommodation, the perfect start to the retreat

Day 2 was filled with engaging workshops, lectures, shared meals and socialising. In the afternoon there was choir rehearsal and confession before coming together for a beautiful Vigil service in the evening.

Day 3 brought the rain but with a Beautiful liturgy, surprise visit from the Tsar, Q&A, winner of 1526 Jelly Beans, workshops, “Palka”, table tennis and a surprise visit from “Bindi”. (more…)

В день памяти святого праведного Иоанна Кронштадтского, 1 ноября, в Австралии состоялось освящение нового храма, воздвигнутого в честь великого угодника Божия. Это первый храм на пятом континенте, посвящённый «Батюшке всея Руси».

Храм расположен на территории Русского благотворительного общества «Кронштадтские сады» (Ruscare), небесным покровителем которого на протяжении уже семидесяти лет является святой праведный Иоанн Кронштадтский. Председатель правления РБО и настоятель храма, протоиерей Михаил Протопопов, приложил большие усилия, чтобы осуществить этот замысел. Новый храм возведён в стиле русского деревянного зодчества XV века, что придаёт ему особую теплоту и духовную красоту. (more…)

On the feast day of St John of Kronstadt, 1 November, a new church was consecrated in Australia in honour of this great servant of God. This is the first church on the fifth continent dedicated to the “Father of All Russia.”

The church is located on the grounds of Kronstadt Gardens (RusCare), whose heavenly patron for seventy years has been St John of Kronstadt. The Chairman of the Board of RusCare and the rector of the church, Archpriest Michael Protopopov, devoted great effort to bringing this vision to life. The new church has been built in the style of 15th-century Russian wooden architecture, lending it a unique warmth and spiritual beauty. (more…)

С 23 по 26 октября 2025 года в кафедральном соборе свв. апп. Петра и Павла в Стратфилде состоялось 21-ый Епархиальный Съезд, в котором приняли участие духовенство, монашествующие и мирские делегаты Австралийско-Новозеландской епархии.

В ходе Собрания делегаты рассмотрели текущую жизнь и деятельность епархии, приняли участие в сессии вопросов и ответов, а также имели возможность пообщаться друг с другом. Прекрасное питание было приготовлено сестричеством кафедрального собора под руководством старшей сестры Ирины Лаптевой. (more…)