Sts Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Institute
5 Jun 07: Feastday of the old church of All Saints, Kentlyn
On Sunday 21 May/June 3, The Sunday of All Saints, His Grace Archbishop Hilarion served Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the old monastery Church of All Saints at Kentlyn, SW Sydney. Archbishop Hilarion was joined in the altar by Mitred Archpriest Michael Li, Hieromonk Joachim, Deacon Father Constantine Tzortzis and sub-deacons Nicholas Martinov and Stephen McKay. His Grace brought with him the Wonder-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Theotokos which was joyfully welcomed by the faithful. Following the Divine Liturgy, a Cross procession was held in honour of All the Saints.
The Church of All Saints is in the original building erected to serve as the Monastery of Our Lady of Kazan. Since the erection of a new monastery building and new Church for the nuns, the old building has served as the monastery guest house. Beginning in 1999, with the blessing of his Grace Archbishop Hilarion, and the permission of the late Abbess Evpraxia, worship has been conducted in the Church of All Saints by a small congregation led by Hieromonk Joachim from St John the Baptist Skete, Kentlyn. Abbess Maria and the nuns from the monastery, together with a large group of visitors, joined the Skete congregation to celebrate the Feast. Also attending were the directors, members and supporters of the Fraternity of the Holy Cross, celebrating the commemoration of their patron saints, the Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine and Empress Helena. The Fraternity administer the Holy Cross Aged Care Facility and Retirement Village (recently renamed Kentlyn Gardens) which are adjacent to the monastery.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the choir sang the troparion and kontakia of the Kursk Icon as it was carried in procession from All Saints Church through the monastery grounds and the streets of the Retirement Village to the recently renovated Aged Care Community Hall where a festive trapeza was held, and a programme of Russian dancing by a group of talented youth was presented.
Hieromonk Joachim
