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…)

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…)

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…)

From 23 to 26 October 2025, the clergy, monastics, and lay delegates of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese gathered at Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral in Strathfield for the 21st Triennial Diocesan Assembly.

Over the course of the Assembly, delegates reviewed the life and work of the diocese, participated in a Question-and-Answer session, and enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with one another. The Cathedral sisterhood, led by Irene Laptev, provided beautiful and much-appreciated catering throughout the event. (more…)

From November 7th 2025, with the blessing of Archbishop George, the miraculous myrrh-streaming icon of the Mother of God “Softener of Evil Hearts” will be visiting Australia for veneration at its parishes throughout the Australian and New Zealand Diocese of ROCOR.

Brief Information on the Icon of the Mother of God “Softener of Evil Hearts”:

The icon began streaming myrrh in 1998, on the day of the glorification of Blessed Matrona of Moscow. Then, on August 12, 2000, the day of the Kursk nuclear submarine tragedy, bruises appeared on the icon. Subsequently, blood began appearing on it before other tragic events. Over time, believers began to report miracles associated with the icon.

It’s surprising that the icon of the Mother of God “Softener of Evil Hearts” was printed at the Sofrino factory and purchased in a regular church shop. It is famous not only in Russia but also abroad. The icon has visited virtually every major city in the country, as well as America, Europe, Australia, and Mount Athos. The icon continues to stream myrrh to this day.

Resolution of the Twenty-First Diocesan Assembly of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia:
 

Russian English

Протоиерей Александр Скорик, помощник настоятеля храмов Воскресения Христова, Христа Спасителя и настоятель миссии святителя Нектария в Новозеландском благочинии, мирно скончался 25  октября 2025 г в Окланде, Новая Зеландия, в возрасте 48 лет.

Он родился в городе Армянске (Крым) в 1977 году и был крещен в младенчестве в честь святого благоверного князя Александра Невского. Успешно окончив Севастопольский государственный технологический университет по специальности «инженер-механик», он поступил в Московскую духовную семинарию в 2000 году. (more…)

The Australian and New Zealand Russian Orthodox Diocesan Music Committee held a Liturgical Music Conference from 8–12 October 2025 at Sts Peter and Paul Diocesan Cathedral, Strathfield. The event brought together over 50 participants of all ages and singing levels from parishes across the diocese. The participants were filled with joy and enthusiasm to once again gather, learn, and sing together.

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