Australian and New Zealand Diocese (ROCOR)

Friday 9 August was the day of commemoration of the heavenly protector of the Gosford parish, the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon. As in previous years, the services to observe this day were transferred to the closest Friday evening and Saturday morning – in 2013, the evening of the feast, Friday 9 August, and Saturday 10 August.

On Friday evening, the All-night Vigil with the blessing of five loaves and wheat, wine and oil was served by the parish rector, Priest James Carles. A large number of parishioners and friends were there, and many took the opportunity to confess in preparation to receive Holy Communion. (more…)

The Saint Vladimir parish in Centennial Park, Sydney is the oldest Russian Orthodox Church in Sydney and the second oldest in all of Australia.  This year the parish celebrated its annual feast day and 75th anniverary of the parish on Sunday 21 July 2013.

His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield, visiting the Australian and New Zealand Diocese with the blessing of the ruling bishop His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, celebrated the All-Night Vigil and the Divine Liturgy together with the parish rector Priest Daniel Metlenko, parish deacon Fr Stephen McKay and many visiting clergy. (more…)

Rebuilding the ravaged community of Joseph Colony Badami Bagh Lahore 

St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Mission in Pakistan

(Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia in Pakistan)

The arson attack on the Christian settlement known as Joseph Colony Badami Bagh Lahore on 9th March 2013 brought into the news another story of religious bigotry and violence among the oppressed Christian minority in Pakistan. More than 200 houses of Christian inhabitants were set on fire by the extremist mob of around 3,000. This wanton act of violence was planned after an alleged charge of blasphemy against a Christian man Sawan Masih by a Muslim man Imran. The government of Pakistan, law enforcement agencies, electronic media and social organizations are well aware that it was a conspiracy to grab the land by the surrounding iron factory owners. (more…)

A photo-report on Bishop George’s visit to Australia follows below.

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The parish of Saint John the Baptist in Canberra celebrated its feast day on the second Sunday after Pentecost. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield together with Archpriest Alexander Morozow, the rector of the parish, Archpriest George Lapardin, Hieromonk Sergius (Shatrov), Priests Alexander Korjenevski, Alexander Borodin, Seraphim Slade and Protodeacon Alexander Kotlaroff. (more…)

With the blessing of his Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, the 5th Patronal feast-day of  Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco Australian Orthodox Aboriginal Mission at Gunning was held on Saturday the 6th of July 2013.

The Hierarchical Liturgy was celebrated by his Grace Bishop George of Mayfield, together with Priests Seraphim Slade (rector), Daniel Metlenko (Centennial Park), Constantine Tzortsis (Kentlyn), Dionysios Halim (Indonesia) and Protodeacon Alexander Kotlaroff (Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral, Strathfield) and Deacon Stephen McKay (Centennial Park). (more…)

Beloved in Christ, the clergy and faithful of the Australian & New Zealand Diocese,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Through circumstances beyond my control, I am unable to visit the Diocese at the end of this month and for most of July, as I had planned.

I have asked His Grace, Bishop George of Mayfield, my vicar bishop in the Eastern American Diocese, to visit Australia in my place and to celebrate the divine services in our churches, especially those that will be celebrating their parish feast days.

Bishop George is a much respected and loved hierarch of our Church in the United States. He lived for many years in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville and is well known to many of our clergy who studied at our seminary at the monastery. Vladyka George now heads the Holy Cross Monastery in West Virginia.

+ Metropolitan Hilarion

Download Bishop George’s Schedule:

On Sunday 16th June 2013, the feast day of the Holy Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council, the Warrnambool Orthodox Mission of the Holy Fathers celebrated its 14th parish feast day.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archpriest Nicholas Dalinkiewicz and Protodeacon Alexander Abramoff.

After the liturgy the community held a lunch for the visiting clergy and guests. (more…)

On Saturday 1st June, at 11.30am, Archpriest Nicolas de Carleton died peacefully in the 85th Year of his age from pneumonia following a series of falls due to extreme frailty. This year Fr. Nicolas would have celebrated the 40th anniversary of his priesthood.

The funeral will be held in Dandenong on Thursday, 6th June at 11.00 am. A Liturgy will be celebrated at 7.30 am. Clergy wishing to take part in the funeral service are requested to contact Fr. Michael Protopopov. Please bring white vestments.