25th Anniversary of the Episcopal Consecration of the Primate of the Church Abroad (photos / video)
From the moment of his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and subsequent move to New York, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion makes two trips a year—in summer and winter—to his Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. The worshipers of over 30 churches, monasteries and sketes joyfully await the arrival of their Vladyka. These visits always coincide with a great number of events in the life of the Diocese of the Russian diaspora. Life within the Russian Orthodox community picks up pace in an effort to fit in with the schedule of Vladyka Hilarion.
And so it is during this sojourn, besides festive divine services at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Church in Croydon and Archangel Michael Church, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, Vladyka also managed to visit those parishes which he did not during his last trip. Vladyka made trips to the convent in Kentlyn, Entrance Into the Temple Women’s Skete in Bungarbee, and St Nicholas Church in Adelaide. Ahead lies a trip to New Zealand and Melbourne, where the 45th Diocesan Orthodox Youth Conference will be held. This time, Vladyka will be traveling together with Russia’s myrrh-streaming Icon of the Mother of God “Softener of Evil Hearts.” Continue Reading
Homily on the 27th Sunday after Pentecost
27th Sunday after Pentecost – the Holy Forefathers.
Homily From “The One Thing Needful,” Sermons of Archbishop Andrei (Rymarenko)
Last week’s Gospel about the rich man who had a good harvest was like the finale to the cycle of the Gospel readings of Pentecost. It portrayed a man who had devoted all his concern to one thing: to the care of his temporary, earthly welfare. In order to keep his good harvest he destroyed the old barns, built new, larger ones, and said: “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee” (Lk. 12:19-20).
What’s the matter? Why such a sentence? The answer to this question is given in the Gospel reading for this Sunday. It tells how the Lord prepared a feast and invited many people, in other words, everyone. And this rich man was one of those invited to the feast of God. However, he was so preoccupied with his living arrangements that he forgot about this “calling,” about the feast to which he was invited. Never did he expect that his “calling” would be fulfilled that night. This is why God said he was a fool.Continue Reading
Passages from Holy Scripture – 27th Sunday after Pentecost
27th Sunday after Pentecost
MATINS (V)
Luke 24:12-35
12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. 13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?Continue Reading
Schedule for Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Mother of God, “Softening of Evil Hearts”
Schedule for Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Mother of God, “Softening of Evil Hearts”
Tuesday 8 Dec, 7am – Arrive Sydney, Emirates Flight EK420
Tuesday 8 Dec, 12 noon – Moleben at Church of All Russian Saints – Croydon
Tuesday 8 Dec, 6pm – Akathist at Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Cathedral – StrathfieldContinue Reading
Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Mother of God, “Softening of Evil Hearts”, to visit Australia from Tuesday, 8th of December
The Myrrh-Streaming “Softening of Evil Hearts” Icon of the Mother of God from Russia will visit Australia from Tuesday the 8th of December for about three weeks.
Since this icon from the Bogolubsky Cathedral in Pushkino began streaming myrrh thousands of faithful have venerated it. The Rector of the Bogolubsky Cathedral remarks that: “All who pray before the Icon will feel a softening of the heart… If you pray for your enemies before it, their hostile thoughts will depart, leaving in their place a feeling of mercy.” Parishioners in Pushkino have witnessed not only cures from evil and envy, but healing of the body as well.
The icon originally began to stream myrrh in a Moscow apartment when, in 1998, this otherwise regular image was placed on the relics of St. Matrona of Moscow. Myrrh also streamed very strongly from the icon at the Local Council of Bishops in 2009, during the election of Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Russia.Continue Reading
Homily on the 26th Sunday after Pentecost
26th Sunday after Pentecost – the Rich Man.
Homily From “The One Thing Needful,” Sermons of Archbishop Andrei (Rymarenko)
The Gospel for last Sunday related to us the parable about the Merciful Samaritan and finished with these words: “Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise” (Lk. 10:37). And today’s Gospel — how does it end? “But God said unto him… This night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Lk. 12:20)
Here are two different ways. They both bring us to our last moment — to death. But there is no death, but rather eternal life. This means that these different paths bring us to the mysterious passage, to the meeting with eternity. All of us have to meet this “mysterious something.” And this meeting will prove to be the most important moment of our entire life on earth, basically what we have lived for. There aren’t even words in our language to express it; but today’s Gospel and also last Sunday’s Gospel give us some indications of this moment, this meeting. At the end of one way will thunder the terrible word, “Fool!” (Lk. 12:20). At the end of the other way, the Gospel does not even give us the word which we will hear, but says only: “Go, and do thou likewise!” This means, only do the same, act in the same way! And you will receive what no words can express.Continue Reading