Australian and New Zealand Diocese (ROCOR)

On Saturday, 6th January 2024, the eve of The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His Grace Bishop George of Sydney Australia and New Zealand served the Great Compline, Litiya and Matins at Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral Strathfield. Co-serving with His Grace were the Cathedral clergy. The following morning, the Cathedral clergy greeted Bishop George and the Divine Liturgy commenced.

The Cathedral was filled with the faithful, most of whom received Holy Communion. The choir sang in the spirit of the feast under the direction of Andrei Laptev. The Nativity Epistle from Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad was read to the faithful. (more…)

Рождественское послание 
Преосвященного Георгия,
Епископа Сиднейского и
Австралийско-Новозеландского

 Рождество Христово, 2023/2024 г.

«И сказал им Ангел: не бойтесь, я возвещаю вам великую радость, которая будет всем людям. Ибо ныне родился вам в городе Давидовом Спаситель, Который есть Христос Господь… И внезапно явилось с Ангелом многочисленное воинство небесное, славящее Бога и взывающее: Слава в вышних Богу, и на земле мир, в человеках благоволение.» (Луки 2:10-11, 13-14) (more…)

Nativity Epistle
of His Grace
George Bishop of Sydney,
Australia & New Zealand

Nativity of Christ, 2023/2024

And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord… And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2: 10-11, 13-14) (more…)

On Saturday 2 December and Sunday 3 December we had services for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, for the Forefeast of the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple, and in honour of Venerable Gregory the Decapolite (+816 AD).

All-night Vigil was served on Saturday evening. Early on Sunday morning the parish rector served the lesser blessing of water, following which we welcomed Bishop George on his first visit to our parish since 2019. (more…)

On Sunday, 19th November, the 24th week after Pentecost, His Grace Bishop George of Sydney Australia and New Zealand was invited to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Holy Archangel Michael’s parish in Blacktown NSW to commemorate the parish feast which this year fell on Tuesday, 21st November. Co-served, with His Grace were priest Adrian Augustus (parish rector), protodeacon Stephen McKay and deacon Michael Matis. (more…)

On Saturday, 4th November 2023, the great feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, His Grace Bishop George of Sydney Australia and New Zealand together with His Grace Bishop Siluan of Australia and New Zealand, Serbian Orthodox Church, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of Kazan Convent (also known as “Novoye Shamordino”) in Kentlyn – located 57 km West of Sydney. (more…)

On the 13th and 14th October, 2023, His Gace George, Bishop of Sydney Australia and New Zealand celebrated the services for the Holy Protect of the Mother of God at the Holy Protection Cathedral Brunswick VIC. Co-serving with His Grace were all the clergy for the Southern Deanery. Following the divine liturgy, the sisterhood prepared a festive lunch for the faithful. (more…)

On Friday, 18 August and Saturday, 19 August 2023, His Grace Bishop George celebrated the services for the great feast of Holy Transfiguration at Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral, Strathfield. Co-serving with Bishop George were the Cathedral clergy and Abbot Cyprian from Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville NY, USA.

Following the Divine Liturgy, Bishop George blessed the fruit. (more…)

The great feast of the Holy Trinity is celebrated on Sunday the fiftieth day after Easter and is also called Pentecost. This feast is associated with the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, which took place on this day. The Day of the Holy Trinity is one of the twelve feasts of the Orthodox Church.

On Saturday, 3rd of June 2023 the All-night Vigil commenced with the greeting of His Grace Bishop George followed by vespers, litiya and matins. Co-served with His Grace were the Cathedral clergy. The following day, the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy commenced at 9am. (more…)

On May 27-28, 2023, Brisbane celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first Orthodox parish in Australia. Hundreds of parishioners of this and other Orthodox churches from different cities of Australia and invited high-ranking guests gathered at St Nicholas Church in Brisbane on the occasion of the centenary of the parish. The service was attended by three bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and about 70 clergy. Orthodox Christians of Brisbane had never seen such a large-scale event. (more…)