Australian and New Zealand Diocese (ROCOR)

Dear friends,

An energetic group of young Russian Orthodox parents from the Hornsby area, members of our Gosford parish, have with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion recently established the Saint Seraphim Community Russian School.  Classes will begin this coming Sunday, November 13, at Mount Colah Public School. (more…)

“You have revealed the beauty of the holy dwelling place of Your glory on earth to be like the splendour of the heavenly firmament, O Lord. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, strengthen it for ever and ever and accept our supplication which we ceaselessly offer to You therein, the life and resurrection of all.” (Troparion to the Founding of the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem)

By God’s Grace the Russian Orthodox church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Le Bons Bay, on the South Island of New Zealand was consecrated on Saturday, October 29 2011. The church was built with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad at the location of the annual children’s Summer Camp. (more…)

The Parish of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God in Cabramatta now has a website with video from 5 November 2011 – the visit of the Holy Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God and His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion and His Grace Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and the ordination of Deacon Andrew Morgan.

See the videos here.

On Saturday 5 November 2011 the Holy Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God was brought to the Protection of the Holy Virgin parish in Cabramatta.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad together with the rector Archpriest Boris Ignatievsky, Deacon Ivan Bots and visiting clergy. His Grace Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada was also present. (more…)

The Convent of our Lady of Kazan, “New Shamordino”, in Kentlyn, celebrated its Feast Day on 22 October / 4 November 2011.  In the morning the Blessing of Water was celebrated by Hieromonk Euthemy with Protodeacon Herman Polorotov.

Soon after the blessing of water the ringing of bells signified the arrival of Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

His Eminence served the Divine Liturgy together with His Grace Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and six priests and three deacons.

At a “Mercy of Peace” the spiritual joy of the parishoners was greatly increased by the arrival of the wonder-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God with it’s guardian Deacon Nicholas Olhovsky who were brought to the Convent directly from the airport by the Dean of New South Wales, Archpriest Nikita Chemodakov. (more…)

On 21 October/03 November 2011 on the occasion of his Names Day (the commemoration of Saint Hilarion the Great, Saint Hilarion of the Kiev Caves and Saint Hilarion, Metropolitan of Kiev) His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Diocesan Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

Serving with His Eminence were His Grace, Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand of the Serbian Orthodox Church and 11 priests and 5 deacons.  His Grace Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada prayed in the altar. (more…)

On Sunday 10/23 October 2011, the commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council and the Holy Elders of Optino, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroard, served the Divine Liturgy at the Diocesan Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were the Cathedral clergy as well as a visiting hieromonk from Byelorussia and Deacon Martin Naef from the All Saints of Russia Church in Croydon.

After the Divine Liturgy the annual general meeting of the parish took place in the parish hall. (more…)

The members of the 2nd Episcopal Assembly of all canonical Orthodox Bishops of Oceania welcomed once again the opportunity to meet in Sydney from October 16-17, 2011, under the chairmanship ex officio of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia.

The Assembly commenced with prayer at the central offices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Redfern.

Present were: His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos (Ecumenical Patriarchate – Australia), His Eminence Metropolitan Paul (Antiochian Patriarchate), His Grace Bishop Irinej (Serbian Church), His Grace Bishop Mihail (Romanian Church), His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilochios (Ecumenical Patriarchate – New Zealand), His Grace Bishop Ezekiel (Assistant Bishop), His Grace Bishop Seraphim (Assistant Bishop), His Grace Bishop Nikandros (Assistant Bishop), His Grace Bishop Iakovos (Assistant Bishop), the Very Rev. Father Michael Protopopov (representing His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church) who read a letter of greeting from His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion) and Rev. Father Michael Smolynec (representing His Eminence Archbishop Ioan of Parnassou of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Diaspora). (more…)