New Approaches to Youth Events
Each year, a dedicated group of volunteers has put in a huge amount of time and energy to organise two main events:
- The Teen Retreat for 13-17 year olds
- The Syezd for 18-29 year olds
Brisbane: 32 Baptised during Historic Holy Saturday Liturgy
On 11 April 2026, during the Baptismal Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Holy Saturday, thirty-two catechumens were baptised at Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church, Brisbane, marking what is believed to be the largest number baptised in a single service in the history of the Orthodox Church within Australia.
The five-hour service was celebrated by Fr Andrew Smith with Fr Stephen David, and the deacons Fr Palladius van Zyl and Fr Jeremy Morse, with more than 150 attendees.
“LEGACY & CALLING” SCHOLARLY CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN GERMANY MAY 6–8
The German Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia organizes n an international scholarly conference – “Legacy & Calling,” which will take place from May 6-8 of this year in Munich, and is timed to mark the centenary of the German Diocese.
The conference will bring together leading historians and theologians specializing in the history of the Russian Church, with the aim of comprehensively reflecting upon the historic journey of the German Diocese.
Paschal Epistle of Archbishop George of Sydney, Australia & New Zealand
Paschal Epistle of Archbishop George of Sydney, Australia & New Zealand
Pascha 2026
Yesterday I was buried with Thee O Christ;
today I rise with Thine arising.
Yesterday I was crucified with Thee;
Do Thou Thyself glorify me with Thee,
O Saviour, in Thy kingdom.
(Pascha Matins, Third Ode.)
Beloved in the Lord, Clergy and Faithful
of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese!
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PASCHAL EPISTLE Of His Eminence NICHOLAS
PASCHAL EPISTLE
Of His Eminence NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
Venerable Brother Archpastors, Venerable Fathers, Dear Brothers and Sisters scattered throughout the world, I greet you all with Christ’s love with the Paschal kiss: “CHRIST IS RISEN!”
“I wish you all that is bright in these days,” writes St Theophan the Recluse, “and in all the days to come. The Lord is always sweetness, and joy, and peace! Strive always to be with the Lord, and you will always celebrate the Bright Pascha.”
Visit to Hobart by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation and the Russian Orthodox Male Choir of Australia
On Friday the 20th of March, his Excellency Mikhail Ivanovich Petrakov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Australia, arrived in Hobart. He was met at the airport by Fr George Morozoff, the rector of the Holy Trinity Parish, after which his Excellency visited the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, where he paid his respects and placed flowers at the tombstone of Gregory Belavin, assistant paymaster of the Russian Imperial Corvette ‘Boyarin’. Gregory Belavin passed away in 1860 and his remains are still located in an unmarked grave at St David’s Park, formerly a cemetery in the centre of Hobart. His Excellency visited the park (cemetery) and the Cornelion Bay Cemetery where many of the Russian Orthodox have been laid to rest, including the first priest appointed to Tasmania, Mitred Archpriest Theodore Borishkevich.
Online Catechism Course starting in May
Entering the Kingdom is a series that will teach you about all the fundamental teachings of the Orthodox Church – including the Nicene Creed, who is God, what humans are and how we are saved, how we are to live, the Sacraments of the Church that Christ founded, and how we are to get closer to our loving God.
2026 Lenten Clergy Conference – Brisbane
After arrival and prayer the previous day the Clergy conference the proceedings on Wednesday Morning began with a solemn and beautiful Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts concelebrated by Archbishop George and Diocesan Clergy at St Nicholas Cathedral. Many local parishioners took the opportunity to attend this service also and to hear the beautiful Lenten Hymns sung by the Cathedral Choir and also the Children of St John of Kronstadt Academy.Continue Reading
Archbishop George Visits St John of Kronstadt Academy
On the Monday of the third week of Great Lent, His Eminence Archbishop George was once again welcomed to St John of Kronstadt Academy. As the Academy is under the care of His Diocese, His Eminence serves as our spiritual head and shepherd. Continue Reading