Saturday, June 18, 2016
Pentecost
Monday, June 13, 2016
Ascension of the Lord
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Metropolitan Agafangel: Paschal Epistle
Paschal epistle
His Eminence Metropolitan Agafangel
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
We celebrate the death of death, the destruction of hades, the beginning of another life eternal
(from the Paschal canon)
The entire universe, from the beginning of its creation until its end on the Day of Judgement, is encompassed in Our Lord Jesus Christ. In His Incarnation and Resurrection, the world which had been polluted by the fall of angels and humans was transformed. A new stage of history commenced, in which the principles of life and death were changed.
Ever since the fall, life and death have been inseparable, so that one could not exist without the other. Death, the consequence of sin, is the absence of life. The Lord said of Himself: “I am (…) life” (John 14:6). Now death was swallowed up by life and abolished in Christ. The Resurrection of Christ trampled upon the very nature of death, canceled it and transformed into eternal life. That is a true miracle! The main mystery of death is now that there is no death. The transformation of death is the Pascha of Christ, eternal life.
For (…) this mortal must put on immortality…then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
(1 Corinthians 15:53-54).
Each of us is called to follow Christ, going through our own death into eternal life. This is the only miracle that is important for us in eternity. Christ performed this miracle, and we are able to repeat it by following Him.
Christ overcame death, destroying it, He rose from the dead, trampling down the personal death of each one of us, bringing people the gift of eternal life!
Truly Christ is risen!
Odessa, Pascha 2016
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Holy Week Service Recordings in English
For those without access to services in church during Holy Week, the Annunciation Hermitage offers recordings of select services in English.
(scroll down for the latest recording)
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(this post will be updated regularly)
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Children’s camp at St Sava Free Serbian Orthodox Monastery
The annual St Sava children’s camp completed its sessions on Friday 9/22.1.2016. More than 30 children participated. Archimandrite Christophor, Abbott John (ROCA) and Hieromonk Simeon, along with others, gave lessons and participated in activities over five days. The great blessing of water: Getting newly blessed Holy Water: Raising the flags and singing national anthems: Diving into the pond after Archimandrite Christophor threw the Holy Cross into the water: Vespers for St John the Baptist Services in the Church: Group photo: Activities: Performing
Friday, January 22, 2016
Old Russian Proverbs
Fear life, not death!
The Devil is always dressed in the latest fashion.
What is well done is slowly done.
The truth has seven sides.
The Devil’s work is quick, it is bright and flashy.
God works slowly - look at nature.The stranger’s soul is murky.
To know a man you have to eat sixteen pounds of salt with him.
The past is not a bad witness.
If you don’t oil the wheels, you won’t get there.
From honest toil you don’t build mansions
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Announcement: Sydney parish feast - Services for St John of Kronstadt
Sydney parish feast - Services for St John of Kronstadt
Престольный праздник в Сиднее в честь св. праведного Иоанна Кронштадтскаго.
The services for the Sydney parish feast of St John of Kronstadt and following Sunday will be as follows:
- Friday 19.12 (01.01, new style) at 5.00 pm - All-Night Vigil - St John of Kronstadt
- Saturday 20 12 (02.01, new style) at 8.30 am - Hours and Divine Liturgy - St John of Kronstadt
- Saturday 20.12 (02.01, new style) at 5.00 pm -All-Night Vigil - Sunday before Nativity
- Sunday 21.12 (03.01, new style) at 8.30 am - Hours and Divine Liturgy - Sunday before Nativity, Sunday of the Fathers, and St Peter, the Wonderworker of all Russia.
All are most welcome to attend!
РУСКА ПРАВОСЛАВНА ЗАГРАНИЧНА ЦРКВА
Епархија за Аустралију и Нови Зеланд,Црква“Свети Праведни Јован Кронштатски“Сиднеј,Аустралија
Приход в честь св. прав. Иоанна Кронштадтского
РПЦЗ в Сиднее (Австралия) приход в честь св. прав. Иоанна Кронштадтского.
Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
Russian Orthodox Church Abroad - Australian and New Zealand Diocese
Parish of the Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt
Address: 28 Macintyre Crescent, Ruse, NSW 2560 Sydney, Australia
Fr. Nebojsa Mirkovic
Telephone: 0413354913
Спаси Господи+
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Epistle from the Synod of Bishops
Epistle
of The Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
to the faithful children in the homeland and in the diaspora
Reverend hierarchs and pastors, monastics and lay people!
Having gathered in these days in the God-preserved city of Odessa, the members of the Synod of Bishops note that in most of our parishes, scattered around the world, spiritual life proceeds steadily and successfully. However, at the same time, in some areas of the territory of the Russian Federation, and partly in other places, a time of particular trial has arrived for our Church. In these few parishes, unfortunately, disturbance and mutual accusations have nearly become norm. “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it” (1 Cor 12:26) - the Apostle writes. Therefore, pain in one area of our Church is passed on to Her entire body.
We all know that the unity of the Church is based on unity of faith and love between Her faithful children. At present we have a unity of faith, as witnessed by the signing of a Statement of Confession together with our sister Churches – the Greek, Bulgarian and Romanian. This is a confirmation of the right path along which our Church is proceeding, together with the representatives of other confessing Orthodox Churches for more than twenty years. This unity is a great value of which we must cherish. We must make every effort so as not to disturb it.
Today it is possible to confidently assert that the unity of confession of the Orthodox Faith unites us. There is no reason to reproach our Bishops of confessing some kind of heresy. Therefore we must speak about the fact that we are faced with a serious test of the strength of our brotherly love. Of course, it must be taken into account that the fratricidal war in the Ukraine largely furthers this. In a few cases it has changed brotherly love into hatred. Among our faithful children there also those who stand on opposite sides of this conflict. Sometimes this conflict sometimes is even directly transferred into the bosom of the Church. Lamentably, this becomes a cause of unjust and uncanonical division. But, “Is Christ divided?” (1 Cor 1:13). Is it possible that there exist values on earth that are worth more than unity in Christ? Physical war should not go transform into “spiritual battle” between Christians the same faith. Some of our brothers unfortunately forget this, being overly enthusiastic about political slogans.
Additionally, we constantly hear reproaches originating from the hurt pride of some of our former brothers. Likewise from those of our children who, while not fully comprehending the essence of the issues, attempt to defend those on whom the hierarchy has imposed fair interdicts. Those who have been rebuked, rather than changing their behaviour, have become hardened. Not only do they not make any effort or attempt to regularise their situation – instead they continue insulting and blaming the Bishops and brethren. In the words of the Apostle: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Eph 4:29). For this reason, the Synod of Bishops urges them to lay aside all their offensive statements with regards to the hierarchs, and to ask for their forgiveness. Otherwise, these statements will remain between us forever, like an insurmountable wall.
Not wanting to expose internal disputes to general spectacle, we have given the ruling Bishops the task to meet with the clergy for more detailed explanations where necessary. The clergy in turn will relate the opinion of the Synod to those parishioners who are interested.
Today we appeal to all the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad: Our Lord Jesus Christ constantly repeated: “Peace be with you.” These words are addressed also to all of us. Against the background of a general hostility and apostasy, which now has spread all over the earth, we must witness that we deserve to be called Christians – the disciples of the Divine Teacher. We must remember that we are the children of peace, not war. Remembering this, let us make every effort to maintain our unity.
Chairman of the Synod:
+ Metropolitan Agafangel
The members of the Synod:
+ Archbishop Andronik
+ Archbishop George
+ Bishop Athanasius
+ Bishop Gregory
+ Bishop Kyril
+ Bishop Nikon
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
St John of Kronstadt - Sydney parish feast
On Sunday, October 19/November 1, the Sydney parish of St John of Kronstadt (rector: father Nebojsa Mirkovic) celebrated its parish feast.
The Divine Liturgy was followed by the rite of the Slava and a moleben with procession around the church.
