Australian and New Zealand Diocese (ROCOR)

On fasting

“For this kind is expelled only by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:21). With these words the Lord Himself indicated to us two kinds of weapons in our combat against our enemy – the dark and evil spirits. At the same time, He indicated to His disciples the need for them to fast at a time “when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them” (Matt. 9:15). The grace of the Holy Spirit is taken away from us through our sins. And its return to us is achieved primarily by means of repentance, assisted by prayer and fasting. (more…)

Dear in the Lord Pastors, Divinely-Wise Monks and Nuns, Beloved Brothers and Sisters, faithful children of our Holy Church!

The Local Council [Pomestny Sobor], held on January 27-28, 2009, at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, addresses you with the words of the Apostle: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14). (more…)

Most Reverend brother Archpastors, Reverend Fathers, beloved brothers, sisters and children in Christ!

I address the fullness of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia with heartfelt Christmas greetings for the first time. I am in need of God’s great mercy, which completes that which is wanting, for the new and lofty ministry which has been placed upon me. I request your prayers for the Lord to strengthen me in this new and responsible obedience.

During these holy days I congratulate you with the great feast of the Nativity of Christ from the distant city of Sydney, the cathedral see of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese. It is my prayer that we may all partake of that sublime and inalienable peace, of which the angels sang on that holy night above the town of Bethlehem, when “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14). (more…)

Resolution of the 44th Australian and New Zealand Diocesan Youth Conference
December 26 – 30, 2008
Gold Coast, Queensland.

We, the participants of the 44th Australian and New Zealand Diocesan Youth Conference, gathered on the Gold Coast, Queensland, from December 26-30, 2008, in the presence of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, together with our priests and deacons, wish to express our joy for the opportunity to learn about our Orthodox Faith and Russian heritage, and to grow spiritually through the grace of the concelebrated Divine Liturgy in Brisbane. (more…)

Gosford Parish is inviting everyone to their annual picnic day. (more…)

Утром, Божественную Литургию в Покровском соборе возглавил Первоиерарх Русской Православной Церкви Заграницей митрополит Иларион, архиепископ Сиднейский и Австралийско-Новозеландский. Во время малого хода владыка Иларион наградил протоиереев Николая Далинкевича и Петра Шеко крестами с украшениями и возвел о. Александра Абрамова в протодиаконы.

In the morning Metropolitan Hilarion, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Outside of Russia presided over the Divine Liturgy. During the Small Entrance Metropolitan Hilarion awarded archpriests Nicholas Dalinkevich and Peter Sheko with the jeweled cross and elevated Fr. Alexander Abramoff to Protodeacon.

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Right reverend brother archpastors, most honorable pastors, brethren, sisters and children, beloved in the Lord!

With a sense of profound spiritual joy I greet all of you on the day of the commemoration of Holy Prince Vladimir the Great, Equal-to-the-Apostles, the godfather and enlightener of the peoples of the Russian land, and on the noteworthy 1,020th anniversary of the conversion of Russia.  Our hearts are now directed towards three commemorations: the first is Saint Vladimir’s conversion to Christ and his own baptism; the second is the baptism of the inhabitants of Kiev; and the third is that which happened after that of the Kievans: the conversion of all Russia.

Having accepted the Christian faith with all his soul, Holy Prince Vladimir the Great was totally transformed spiritually: from a crude pagan he became a saint, an equal of the apostles.  The peoples of our homeland are eternally in his debt for instilling in them the highest Christian traits of character: piety, patience, guilelessness, forgiveness of enemies, humility, loving-kindness, the doing of good, and especially, love for children—and all of this to a greater degree than one finds among other peoples.  What an indescribable impression was made on the newly-baptized Russian people by Vladimir’s generosity, which was shown to be benefaction on a state-wide level.  This trait of Vladimir is also reflected in the character of our sinful but good fellow Russians, from almsgiving to pity for criminals condemned to death, inclusive.  Invisibly, in spirit, our common godfather is with us now: Prince Vladimir is with us in his love, his kindness, his precepts and his prayerful intercession. (more…)

Please note: This translation of the Prologue is copyright © 1999 Serbian Orthodox Church Diocese of Western America.

This version includes not only the Lives of the Saints, but also the Hymns of Praise, Reflection, Contemplation and Homily sections for every day, just as Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic wrote it in the original Serbian text. This first, complete version in English was translated by Reverend T. Timothy Tepsic and Very Reverend Janko Trbovich.

If you would like to buy a hard copy of The Prologue please visit the website of the publisher St. Sebastian Press.

This internet publication is intended for the private use of people of good will and cannot be copied, published, or used in any other form without the written consent of the Serbian Orthodox Church Diocese of Western America, the copyright owner.

April 2019 update: The links below for the Prologue have been fixed by locating an archived copy of the website of the Serbian Orthodox Church Diocese of Western America in the Wayback Machine internet archive.

Please choose which day you would like to see the Prologue for, dates are according to the Church Calendar, pages will open in a new window.

Offer of Financial Assistance for the
5th Choral Conference, 2-6 July 2008, Strathfield/Cabramatta
from the Fund For Assistance to ROCOR
(through the Synodal Youth Committee NY, USA)
to the Youth of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese ROCOR

If you are aged 28 years or younger, sing or are interested in singing in your parish choir and wish to attend the 5th Choral Conference, then you may be eligible to receive financial assistance to help with some of the costs e.g. airfare or other transport. All you have to do is email or telephone the details requested below to see if you are eligible. You may apply even if all of your travel and registration costs have already been finalised. Your parents, parish priest or choir director may apply on your behalf. (more…)