Sts Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Institute
29 Jan 07: English services and molieben for the start of the school year held at Vladimir Icon Parish in Brisbane
Approximately four times a year, the parish of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in the Brisbane suburb of Rocklea, holds Saturday night Vigil and Sunday morning Liturgy services in the English language. This year, one of those dates coincided with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee – the start of the Lenten Triodion – and the start of the school year for Queensland school students.
This Sunday’s Liturgy saw good attendance, similar in size to the regular Slavonic services, and represented of a broad cross-section of Orthodox people in Brisbane, both young and old, including many who are not regular attendees of the Rocklea parish. The Service, led by the parish rector Priest Peter Fomin, assisted by Deacon John Weir was conducted completely in the English language, and was accompanied by a choir conducted by parish choir conductor Deacon Kon Semovskih. The singing followed traditional Russian melodic formulas and four-part harmonies, and it can be said, was of equally good standard to the regular Slavonic services.
As has become usual in this parish, Deacon John included petitions at the Augmented Litany praying for rain and an end to the terrible drought that has set itself upon the Australian land.
Fr Peter gave an excellent sermon on the meaning of the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, which described the virtue of humility and juxtaposed it against the futile nature of pride. In so doing, he explained why the Church begins its Lenten Cycle with this particular parable.
After the end of the Liturgy, a molieben service was held for those beginning the school year in order to ask the Lord to assist them in their studies.
English language services are an important aspect of our parish life, and in particular, offer an educational window of understanding into the beautiful Russian Orthodox liturgical language of Slavonic, which remains the main language of worship. Additionally, the parish has a number of families who are of non-Russian speaking background, and who are avid participants in the English services.
For more information regarding the holding of English services at this parish, please visit the parish website and download a Schedule of Services.