Australian and New Zealand Diocese (ROCOR)

In recent years, a great many young Russian families have settled in the Hornsby Shire on Sydney’s northern fringe.  Forging strongs friendships amongst themselves, these families have also gravitated towards the parish of Saint Panteleimon in Gosford, becoming active there in parish life.

The young parents there have for some time considered the possibility of a Russian language school in the Hornsby region.  Their hopes became reality when, with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, the Saint Seraphim Russian Community School commenced lessons at Mount Colah Public School on Sunday 13 November 2011.  Prior to classes beginning, Hornsby mayor Nick Berman cut the ribbon with representatives from both Russian (“Edinenie”) and English (“Bush Telegraph”) newspapers in attendance. (more…)

Over 25-26 November the Holy Wonderworking Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God was taken by plane to Brisbane by its guardian Deacon Nicholas Olhovsky. There the Icon visited the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Kangaroo Point and the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God Church in Rocklea. (more…)

On Wednesday 23 November the Holy Wonder-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God was brought to the Holy Protection Church in Cabramatta by its guardian Deacon Nicholas Olhovsky.  The Akathist to the Mother of God was then celebrated by the parish rector Archpriest Boris Ignatievsky, parish and visiting clergy. (more…)

On 6 November 2011 the Joy of All Who Sorrow Church in Geelong marked its Parish Feast with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion in the presence of the Holy Wonderworking Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God. (more…)

The first Russian Orthodox Teen Retreat for youth from years 9 – 12 is quickly approaching. All young people are encouraged to register ASAP as there are limited places available. To view the timetable, click here.

On the evening of Thursday 10 November 2011, the Mission welcomed the wonderworking Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God.

It was an incredible privilege to pray before one of the most revered and historically important icons of Russia, and to feel so powerfully the grace of God and the assurance that the Theotokos was indeed praying for and with us.

The service comprised both a short Molebin (prayer service) and the Akathist appointed for the Kursk-Root Icon of the Theotokos.

It was truly a ‘Pan Orthodox’ event, both in the make up of the large congregation (over 150 people personally venerated the Icon), and by having clergy from four jurisdictions serve: Archimandrite Silouan Fotineas and Fr Konstantinos Skoumbourdis (Greek); Fr Nicolas Haddad (Antiochian); Fr Ambrose Jackson (Serbian); and Archpriest Vladimir Deduhin, Fr Deacon Nicholas Olhovsky (custodian of the Icon during its Australian tour), and Fr Peter Hill, Rector of St Patrick Mission (Russian). Other clergy were present in the congregation during the service. (more…)

The Brisbane Clergy will be concelebrating an All Night-Vigil with Akathist, 6pm Friday 25th November at St. Nicholas Cathedral, 344 Vulture Street, Kangaroo Point.  Divine Liturgy will be 8:30am Saturday 26th November at Our Lady of Vladimir Church, 14A Douglas Street, Rocklea.

(Please note: this announcement supercedes the previously released monthly schedule)

The Wonderworking Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God will visit Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from November 29 until December 7.  You can read about the icon here. The schedule is below. (more…)

On Monday evening, 8/21 November 2011, the Holy Kursk-Root Icon was brought to the Dormition Church in Wollongong by its rector, Priest Simeon Nekipelov, and Deacon Nicholas Olhovsky, the Icon’s guardian.

The clergy then served a Moleben and Akathist to the Mother of God.  Afterwards all present were invited to remain for a cup of tea with snacks.

Abbess Maria and three of the sisters from the Our Lady of Kazan Convent, Kentlyn, “New Shamordino”, also made the trip down to Wollongong and beautifully sang a canon to the Mother of God after the Akathist. (more…)

On Monday 8/21 November 2011, the Feast Day of Archangel Michael and the Bodiless Hosts, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archpriest Boris Ignatievsky at the Holy Protection Church in Cabramatta together with the guardian of the Holy Icon, Deacon Nicholas Olhovsky.  The choir, under the expert direction of Andrei Laptev, beautifully accompanied the divine service.  Afterwards the Holy Icon was taken to the neighbouring Saint Sergius Home for the Aged to visit its residents. (more…)