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Paschal Epistle of Archbishop George of Sydney, Australia & New Zealand
Pascha 2026

Yesterday I was buried with Thee O Christ;
today I rise with Thine arising.
Yesterday I was crucified with Thee;
Do Thou Thyself glorify me with Thee,
O Saviour, in Thy kingdom.
(Pascha Matins, Third Ode.)

Beloved in the Lord, Clergy and Faithful
of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese!
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PASCHAL EPISTLE
Of His Eminence NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Venerable Brother Archpastors, Venerable Fathers, Dear Brothers and Sisters scattered throughout the world, I greet you all with Christ’s love with the Paschal kiss: “CHRIST IS RISEN!”

“I wish you all that is bright in these days,” writes St Theophan the Recluse, “and in all the days to come. The Lord is always sweetness, and joy, and peace! Strive always to be with the Lord, and you will always celebrate the Bright Pascha.”

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On Friday the 20th of March, his Excellency Mikhail Ivanovich Petrakov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Australia, arrived in Hobart. He was met at the airport by Fr George Morozoff, the rector of the Holy Trinity Parish, after which his Excellency visited the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, where he paid his respects and placed flowers at the tombstone of Gregory Belavin, assistant paymaster of the Russian Imperial Corvette ‘Boyarin’. Gregory Belavin passed away in 1860 and his remains are still located in an unmarked grave at St David’s Park, formerly a cemetery in the centre of Hobart. His Excellency visited the park (cemetery) and the Cornelion Bay Cemetery where many of the Russian Orthodox have been laid to rest, including the first priest appointed to Tasmania, Mitred Archpriest Theodore Borishkevich.

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Entering the Kingdom is a series that will teach you about all the fundamental teachings of the Orthodox Church – including the Nicene Creed, who is God, what humans are and how we are saved, how we are to live, the Sacraments of the Church that Christ founded, and how we are to get closer to our loving God.

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After arrival and prayer the previous day the Clergy conference the proceedings on Wednesday Morning began with a solemn and beautiful Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts concelebrated by Archbishop George and Diocesan Clergy at St Nicholas Cathedral. Many local parishioners took the opportunity to attend this service also and to hear the beautiful Lenten Hymns sung by the Cathedral Choir and also the Children of St John of Kronstadt Academy.Continue Reading

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On , the feast of the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple, deacon Pavel Diatchenko from the Resurrection parish in Auckland New Zealand was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop George. Fr Pavel was ordained to the deaconate in December 2024. Fr Pavel is married with two children and will continue to serve at the Resurrection parish in Auckland.
Axios, Axios, Axios!

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Birth of Christ and Rebirth in Christ

In what has become something of a tradition, nine newly-baptised Orthodox Christians were welcomed by Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church, Brisbane, on the morning of 6 January 2026 – the Eve of the Nativity of Christ. At 8:30am, the Ninth Royal Hour was served, followed by Typica, and then the Baptismal Vesperal Divine Liturgy began. Services were led by parish clergy, with Mr T. Selke leading the choir.

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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.Continue Reading

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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.

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