Australian and New Zealand Diocese (ROCOR)

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…)

(more…)

(more…)

Circular Letter regarding the 16th Diocesan Assembly

in English: по-русски:

Register soon to secure one of just 120 places available at this year’s Syezd! To be held over three full days and four nights at Treetops Resort Avoca Beach on the beautiful NSW Central Coast, Syezd 2010 offers an interesting and relevant programme of lectures, panel discussions and workshops; Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on December 30, the day of commemoration of the Holy Prophet Daniel; Lenten meals served in the resort restaurant; an opportunity to meet and mix with clergy and young people from across our Diocese; and time to relax at the resort or at nearby Avoca Beach.

Download the Syezd brochure and application form: here. (more…)

Friends of Indonesia – Australia
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion

Friends of Indonesia-Australia was established in July 2010 to aid the priests and parishes of the Indonesian Orthodox Church (Gereja Orthodox Indonesia – GOI) who make up the Indonesian Deanery of  ROCOR’s Australian and New Zealand Diocese.

Mount Merapi Volcano Eruption Refugee Appeal

The active volcano Mount Merapi on the Indonesian island of Java erupted on the 25th of October. It continues to spew hot gases and ash as far as 5,000 meters into the atmosphere, wreaking havoc on surrounding villages and farms, and disrupting air travel. 194 people have been killed, and at least 350,000 fled their homes, and cannot yet return because of the danger of further eruptions.

(more…)

Dear Brother Archpastors, Honorable Fathers, Dear in the Lord Brothers and Sisters:

November 21, the feast day of the Synaxis of Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, marks the 25th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky) of blessed memory, the third Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, one of my predecessors on the Cathedra of the Eastern American Diocese, who consecrated my unworthiness to the episcopate in 1984. On this day, I will celebrate Divine Liturgy in Archangel Michael Church in Paterson, NJ, after which a memorial trapeza will be held in the parish hall, where a lecture on the biography of the esteemed Vladyka Philaret will be read with a presentation of rare photographs. That same day His Grace Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, will perform a memorial service at his crypt in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. (more…)

ANNOUNCEMENT

His Grace, Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart returned to Germany on 9 November.

Members of the Diocesan Council met with His Grace on the morning of his departure to thank him for his visit and archpastoral care during the past four months.

After a relaxing luncheon, Mitred Archpriest Michael Protopopov and Archpriest George Lapardin accompanied His Grace to the airport.

His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion is expected to return to Australia on 23 December 2010.

(more…)

Communique of the First Episcopal Assembly of all canonical Orthodox Bishops of Oceania

The members of the First Episcopal Assembly of all canonical Orthodox Bishops of Oceania welcomed the opportunity to meet in Sydney from 16-18 October, 2010 under the chairmanship ex officio of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia.

The Assembly commenced with a Divine Liturgy manifesting our essential Eucharistic unity at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, Redfern, Sydney.

In accordance with the decisions of the pre-conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference convened in Chambésy, Switzerland from 6 – 13 June, 2009, the canonical Orthodox Bishops met in a brotherly spirit, and after lengthy and edifying discussion centred on issues of mutual concern, such as pastoral care, catechesis, liturgical life, reaffirmed the unity of all canonical Orthodox Churches. (more…)