Sts Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Institute
15 Jan 11: Friends of Indonesia – Australia
Friends of Indonesia – Australia
15 Jan 11: Christ the Saviour Church Parish Feast Day, Wellington – photoreport
Parish Feast in Wellington
74 images – view slideshow
15 Jan 11: Saint Nicholas Church Parish Feast Day, Christchurch – photoreport
Parish Feast in Christchurch
13 images – view slideshow
15 Jan 11: Nativity of our Lord – St John the Baptist Skete, Kentlyn
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
The Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ was well attended at Sydney’s only ROCOR congregation that worships in English. Just over 70 adults and children filled the old monastery Church of All Saints at Kentlyn to celebrate the Feast, with some travelling from as far as Bowral, in the Southern Highlands, Faulconbridge in the Blue Mountains, Penrith in Sydney’s west, inner city St Peters and the Sutherland Shire to the east.
The Liturgy was celebrated by Hieromonk Joachim, superior of St John the Baptist Skete, Kentlyn, who was joined in the altar by visiting priest from the Indonesian Orthodox Church (GOI), Father Dionysios Surya Halim, Protodeacon Christopher Henderson and Protodeacon Constantine Tzortzis. (more…)
15 Jan 11: His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion celebrates the Nativity of our Lord at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Strathfield – photoreport
Nativity of our Lord – All Night Vigil:
6 Jan 11: Nativity Epistle of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad
Nativity Epistle of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion
of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
To the archpastors and brethren, the most honorable fathers, & all the Orthodox children of the Russian Diaspora, beloved in the Lord!
Seeing man perishing, whom He had created
with His own hands, the Creator, bowing
down the heavens, descendeth, and taketh on
the whole of human nature through the pure
Virgin, becoming truly incarnate, in that He
is all-glorious”
(Canon I of Christmas Matins, Ode I,
troparion 2, composed by St. Cosmas of Maiuma)
To the archpastors and brethren, the most honorable fathers,
& all the Orthodox children of the Russian Diaspora,
beloved in the Lord!
With these words of the Nativity Canon, so great in their profundity, we glorify Christ the Savior Who has now been born of the Virgin. Profound and substantial are the divine services in honor of this great feast, the Nativity of Christ. The words of its hymns and prayers are imbued with the glad tidings of the redemption of the human race, of the incomprehensible and glorious event of the divine Incarnation, which is revealed as the Savior’s great loving-kindness toward us sinners!
Christ is now born of the Virgin, so that, having taken upon Himself human nature, He might bring an end to the cruel power of the tormenter of souls, the devil; for only a God Who had become man could deliver us from it. The Master of creation, Whom the angels and the whole world He created obey, lies humbly, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and forgives our offenses, calling us all to a life renewed! (more…)
5 Jan 11: The 16th Conference of Clergy and Laity of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand
The 16th Conference of Clergy and Laity of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand was held at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in Strathfield, Australia on the 26th-27th of December.
His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Australia and New Zealand spoke to the Editor of the Unification newspaper on the events planned for the conference:
“This diocesan conference is held every three years. It is a very important part of diocesan life. The participants in these conferences gather from various parts of Australia and New Zealand and get the opportunity to socialize as well as discuss ongoing matters. Such meetings unify the clergymen and laity of our diocese. The conferences include reports on recent events in the diocese since the previous conference, and more important questions which affect the entire diocese are discussed and resolved. A new Diocesan Council is elected at these conferences, consisting of five priests and five laypersons. The members of the Council become the closest advisors of the diocesan ruling bishop. Between conferences, the Council convenes every two or three months and makes decisions on important administrative and managerial matters.” (more…)