Friday, December 19, 2014
From the November and December “Shepherd”
A practical tip on fasting:
There are some very down-to-earth practical things that one can do: make sure that you keep your diaries as free as possible from social engagements; as in all the fasts avoid making plans for journeys away from home; simply clear your freezers and fridges of non-lenten foods. Then plan to set aside more time for church attendance, for prayer at home and spiritual reading. Obtain books to read during this period which will instruct you about our Faith and the Christian life. Make a conscious and generous assessment of what you intend to give away in alms during the fast, and stick to it. Perhaps volunteer to help in charitable work over the “Western Christmas” freeing someone else up to celebrate their feast. And perhaps what we so often fail to do: resolve from the very start to keep this fast to the very best of your ability and never give up trying to do so. Remember the fast is not something inflicted upon us as a rule. It is a weapon given us to aid us in our spiritual battle. A soldier who holds a sword in his hand during battle and does not use it is not likely to come through that battle a well man.
Fathers of St Edward Brotherhood
Just as in the case of a sweet dish on the table or a gold piece thrown down on the crossroads, whoever comes first [to church] is the most satisfied or enriched. Godly words in the divine church are sweeter than honey and honeycomb and dearer than a thousand gold pieces, according to the holy David (Ps. 18:10). He who arrives first will enjoy grace first, but he who arrives lazily and carelessly is a stranger to grace.
Ven. Joseph of Volokolamsk, + 1515 A.D.
Let us marvel, O Christians, at the voluntary self-abasement for us of our great God and Saviour; but this is still too little. Let us stand in growing reverence before this self-abasement of His, but even this is not sufficient. Let this mind be in you, the Apostle teaches us, which was in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5). You also come to have the same feelings as Jesus Christ had; be disposed just as He was disposed. What does this mean? The Apostle himself explains this, stating just before the cited quotation: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than himself (Phil. 2:3). From this it can be seen that he teaches us the example of Jesus Christ, not to place ourselves on high and not to exalt ourselves with any prerogatives, but to humble ourselves, both within ourselves and
before others.
St Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow, + 1867 A.D.
Read the November edition and the December edition of the Shepherd, published by St Edward Orthodox Brotherhood,, a men’s monastery in England, which is under the omophorion of our Greek Sister Church.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Concelebration in Canberra
On the day of the Holy Apostle Andrew, Saturday, November 30th (December 13th new style), His Eminence, Bishop Ambrose of Methoni of the Church of the True Orthodox Christians of Greece served the Divine Liturgy at the St Sava Free Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Canberra, with Protopriest Dragan Saracevic and Protodeacon Vasily Yakimov (ROCA) concelebrating, and Igumen Christophor (Nedjic) chanting.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Saints glorified in our Greek Sister Church
The Church of the True Orthodox Christians of Greece has glorified two Saints:
The Martyr Catherine (Routtes), who suffered for the traditional Church calendar very soon after the introduction of the “new calendar” and the Venerable Father Pachomios of Chios, a monk who reposed in peace.
Read the announcements of the Greek Synod regarding Saint Catherine and Venerable Pachomios
A life of Saint Catherine in English.
Holy New Martyr Catherine and Venerable Father Pachomios, pray to God for us!
More information regarding the method of recognition of Saints in the Orthodox Church is found here.
Source and second source
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Parish Feast - Church of St Stefan Decanski, Carrum Downs
The Free Serbian parish of St King Stefan Decanski in Carrum Downs (True Orthodox Christians of Greece / Free Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand) celebrated its parish feast liturgically on Sunday 23.11 (n.s.).
His Eminence, Bishop Ambrose presided at the Divine Liturgy, with igumen John (Smelic)(ROCA), Igumen Christopher (Nedjic), and priest Bojan (Vlajic) concelebrating.
Many faithful were in attendance, among them also Greeks and Russians.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 16th-24th July 2015
Our Greek sister Church, the Church of the True Orthodox Christians of Greece, is arranging a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in July 2015.
The pilgrimage will be led by Bishop Ambrose, and all the guiding, explanations, etc will be given in English.
The pilgrims should arrive in Tel Aviv, where the pilgrimage will begin, whether directly from Australia or from Europe, by 12noon of 16th July. Departure will be on the 24th July.
The exact order of the visits will be arranged later, but the pilgrimage will include the following Holy Places:
Jerusalem: Church of the Anastasis, Holy Sepulchre, Golgotha, Sion, Tomb of the Mother of God, Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, place of the Ascension, Jerusalem monasteries.
Bethlehem: Cave of the Nativity, St. Theodosios’ Monastery, St. Savva’s Monastery, Bethany, Convent and Tomb of Lazarus, (and if possible Hebron and Abraham’s Oak).
Jericho: Mount of Temptation, Hozeva Monastery, St. Gerasimos’ Monastery, Sycamore of Zachaios, Jordan river.
Galilee: Nazareth, Cana, Mount Tabor, Capernaum, Sea of Galilee, Tiberias.
Nablus (Samaria): Well of Jacob
Lydda: Tomb of St. George
Sinai: St. Catherine’s Monastery, and ascent of Mount Sinai.
Included in the price: Comfortable hotel accommodation in two-bedded rooms (supplement for single), breakfast and evening meal each day, transport by coach to all the places mentioned above, taxi up Mount Tabor, taxi to St. Savva’s Monastery, cruise on Sea of Galilee, lunch in Tiberias, tips.
All visitors should have an Australian, New Zealand or European passport valid for at least six months after the date of the pilgrimage. The number of pilgrims will be limited to 50.
PRICE: 780 EUROS or 1140 AUD at present rates.
For participation, please contact our agents: Andreas and Maria Kakliakmanis, tel.+30-6988-621148.
I hope that John Banjanin, tel. 0061-0418441144, will help with the arrangements.
Please book as soon as possible. A deposit of $300 will assure your place.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Parish feast - Church of Sts Cosmas and Damian, Sydney
The Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian (True Orthodox Christians of Greece / Free Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand) in Sydney celebrated its parish feast on 1/14 November.
Bishop Ambrose of Methoni (and Australia) presided at the Divine services, with Protopresbyter Dragan Saracevic, Hegumen Christofor (Nedjic), and Priest Nebojsa Mirkovic (ROCA) concelebrating.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Bishop Photius’ visit to Australia
On Sunday, 4/17 August, the commemoration of the Holy Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, Bishop Photius of Marathon visited the Greek parish of the Holy Dormition of the Mother of God. Protopriest Stylianos and Igumen John concelebrated.
