hobart_12 On Sunday, 28 September 2014 the Orthodox Community celebrated its 65th Annual Patronal Feast, the Elevation of the Honourable and Life-giving Cross at the Russian-Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Hobart, Tasmania.

The Patronal celebration began on Saturday evening with the Service of Vespers celebrated by the Very Rev. Mitred Archpriest  Dr Michael Protopopov, Vicar General of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, in the presence of His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand of the Serbian Orthodox Church. His Grace joined in the service for the carrying out of the Holy Cross and bestowed his blessings upon the gathered Russian, Serbian, Greek and Australian Orthodox Christians.Continue Reading

bombala_1On Sunday, 17 August 2014, His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield arrived at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery located at the foot of the Snowy Mountains, where he spent several days visiting the brethren of the Monastery.

On Monday, 18 August 2014, the eve of the feast day of the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and Tuesday, 19 August 2014, His Grace together with the brethren of the Monastery and visiting clergy served the all night vigil and the Divine Liturgy. Continue Reading

gosford_1On Friday 8 August and Saturday 9 August 2014 the Gosford parish celebrated the feast of its heavenly protector, the Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, and formally observed ten years of parish life in the small church at West Gosford.

On the Friday evening His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, presided at All-night Vigil with the blessing of five loaves, wheat, wine and oil.  Concelebrating were the parish rector, Priest James Carles, together with Protodeacon German Polorotoff (Saint Nicholas, Fairfield), parish deacon Father Martin Naef, and Deacon Vasilli Konstantinidis (Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, Rocklea, QLD).  The choir sang under the direction of long-serving choir conductor, Olga Ivanovna Itsikson, and many parishioners and friends were present for the service.Continue Reading

greek_monastery17On Friday 8 August 2014 His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield visited two monasteries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, both located in Mangrove Mountain on the New South Wales Central Coast: Pantanassa Monastery and Holy Cross Convent. His Grace was accompanied by the rector of the local Russian Orthodox parish, Priest James Carles.

Arriving at Pantanassa Monastery shortly after 10.00am, Vladyka was greeted with the ringing of the monastery bells. Abbot Eusebios and his brethren had assembled before the main monastery building to welcome Vladyka, after which they escorted him to the chapel. There, Father Eusebios served a brief moleben for Vladyka’s health before greeting him with warm words of welcome, thanking him for his attention and asking for his prayers.Continue Reading

met_hilarion2_201408152014 marks the 30th anniversary of the episcopal consecration of His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad and Ruling Bishop of the Eastern American Diocese. On the feast day of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, December 10, 1984, Archimandrite Hilarion was consecrated Bishop of Manhattan in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign. The consecration was performed by the third First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky). This and other well-known ‒ as well as lesser-known ‒ events in the life of our First Hierarch will be revealed in a full-color album containing hundreds of color photographs and letters illustrating the Metropolitan’s life and his longtime dedicated service to the Holy Church.Continue Reading

ww1_sydney141 августа, ровно сто лет назад, Германия объявила войну императорской России, таким образом втянув её в одну из самых кровавых войн современности. В Сиднее русская общественность отметила начало этой войны поминальной литией и возложением венков и цветов к памятникам русских воинов, похороненных в Сиднее.

Поминальную службу, на которой присутствовал епископ Мейфильдский Георгий, отслужил в Петропавловском соборе священник Георгий Лапардин. После этого в общественном зале собора журналист и историк-любитель Алексей Ивачев рассказал о поисках захоронений участников войны и показал видеосюжеты. Затем участники отправились на кладбища Руквуд, где похоронено около ста военных, включая двух генералов, участвовавших в Первой мировой и последовавшей гражданской войне в стране, где возложили венки и цветы к часовне на русской секции. Continue Reading

st_vlads_cent_park6On Monday, 28 July 2014, Saint Vladimir Parish in Centennial Park, Sydney celebrated its annual feast day. The All-Night Vigil and the Divine Liturgy were celebrated by His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield together with the parish rector priest Daniel Metlenko and clergy from the Diocese.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, priest Daniel Metlenko was elevated to the rank of Archpriest. Although the fesat day fell on a work day, the church was filled with parishioners and other faithful who gathered to celebrate the feast day of St Vladimir. After the service the sisterhood preapared a festive lunch for all who attended.Continue Reading

MEDIA RELEASE

The Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church in Australia is appalled at the loss of innocent lives in the MH- 17 disaster. There can be no argument to support the deliberate shooting down of a civil aircraft at any time or anywhere.

The Church expresses its sincere condolences to the families of all the victims and prays for the souls of those so tragically lost.

The Church also prays for an end to the conflict which has so dramatically divided the sister nations of Russia and the Ukraine. We urge all nations to assist in finding a peaceful path to negotiations and to stopping the bloodshed in the Lugansk and Donetz Regions of the Ukraine.Continue Reading