Saturday, July 15, 2017
The old Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Melbourne
The old Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Melbourne is for sale again. First it was lent by ROCOR(MP) to the use of the New Calendar parish of the MP. It was later sold, the buyers remodelled, and now it is advertised as a ‘great party house’.
The cathedral that was:
Being listed as a heritage building, the architects are not allowed to change the basic structure of the building. The old Altar area appears to have been removed.
The ROCOR(MP) parish has moved to their new Pokrov cathedral:
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Passion Week and Pascha in Australia
Photos from the services of Passion Week and Pascha in Melbourne and Sydney:
Blessing of eggs at the end of the Paschal midnight service in Melbourne.
Palm Sunday in St Gregory the Theologian parish in Melbourne and holy week services in Sydney.
The shroud in Sydney St John of Kronstadt parish:
Melbourne: The procession with the shroud on Holy Friday evening, which had been beautifully decorated by the sisterhood.
Joyous chanting in Sydney
The Annunciation Sisterhood monastery chapel at Pascha
Friday, February 17, 2017
Feast of St Gregory the Theologian in Bentleigh
On Tuesday, January 25th (February 7th, new style), Metropolitan Photios of the GOC concelebrated with Bishop John of Melbourne (ROCA) and hieromonk Ioannis (GOC) at the St Gregory the Theologian Church in Bentleigh. Protopriest Stylianos led the chanting.
Despite the Church feast falling on a weekday and the sudden rain, nearly 50 people attended. After Matins and Divine Liturgy a blessing of the five loaves followed, as well as prayers for the living with blessing of a Phanuropita and prayers for the departed with blessing of Kolyva.
The sun came out for the procession around the Church. Afterwards, the sisterhood offered a meal in the hall which was likewise well attended.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Message from bishop John regarding the ROCA schism
In connection with the recent illegal meeting in New York state in January 2017, the following decrees banning clergy associated with Australia (Archbishop Andronik and Hegumen Andrei) have been issued.
These decrees emphasise the extreme seriousness of the situation, and the dire consequences of disobedience, both for the clergy themselves, and for those lay people who attend the services of the banned clergy.
Unity in the Orthodox Church is based on our practice of love, which we show through obedience. This duty is given to all Church members, from the first to the last.
The surest and safest path for parishioners in this confusing matter is to show obedience to the Sobor of Bishops, and concentrate maximally on prayer and good works, for their own salvation, and for the salvation of us all.
In our modern time, with its modern, distorted understanding of ‘love’ it may be difficult for some to understand traditional Church practice. However, our Orthodox Church practice is not something that can ‘change with the times’. Neither is the Church truly a ‘democratic organisation’ in the modern understanding of that term.
The government of the Church is entrusted to the Bishops.
The Sobor of Bishops, consisting of 12 hierarchs, has discussed the matters troubling our ROCA presently, and has arrived at the decision to ban certain clergy, out of love for these persons, and the hope for their repentance, as well as for the love and safeguarding of all the people.
The surest and safest path for parishioners in this confusing matter is to show obedience to the Sobor of Bishops, and concentrate maximally on prayer and good works for their own salvation, and for the salvation of us all.
It is necessary for Orthodox Christians to exercise great patience and faith in our evil days. Do not allow the evil one to lead you astray, away from the Church of Christ, which He founded and governed through the Holy Apostles, leading Her to this day through their successors, the Bishops of the Church
With love in Christ,
+John
(Bishop of Melbourne)
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Concelebration in Melbourne
On Sunday 14/27 November, Bishop Ambrose served in the Free Serbian Church of St Stefan Dechanski in Carrum Downs, Victoria, concelebrating with Bishop John, Archimandrite Hristifor, Protopriest Bojan, Hieromonk Simeon and Priest Zvonimir.
The parish celebrated its church feast day in honour of St King-Martyr Stefan Dechanski (transferred from 11/24 November to the Sunday), with the rite of Serbian Slava and a procession around the church.
After the service, the sisterhood of St Angelina served sumptuous meal in the parish hall.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Concelebration in Bentleigh (Melbourne)
On Tuesday 9/22 November, on the day of St Nectarius of Pentapolis, Bishop Ambrose of Methone (GOC) concelebrated with Bishop John (ROCA), Protopriest Stylianos and priest John in St Gregory the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church in Bentleigh. After the service, the faithful gathered for a communal meal in the parish hall.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Melbourne services with Bishop Ambrose (GOC) and Bishop John
22.11 (n.s.) st Nectarios of Pentapolis.
8 am Matins and Liturgy.
St Gregorios the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church
4 Gilbert grove, Bentleigh
24.11. (n.s.)
9 am Hours and Divine Liturgy at the Annunciation Sisterhood (ROCA)
Nowhere Creek, VIC
26.11. (n.s.) St John Chrysostom
Service at the Holy Cross Mission (GOC)
8.30 am 3rd Hour, 6th Hour, Divine Liturgy
27.11. St Stefan of Dechani (transferred from 24.11.)
10 am Divine Liturgy
St Stefan Dechanski Free Serbian Orthodox Church
Carrum Downs, VIC
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Episcopal Ordination of Bishop John of Melbourne
According to the Decree of the Council of Bishops, on October 30th, at the Sunday Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Agafangel and Archbishop George ordained Abbot John (Smelic) to the rank of bishop.
Before the ordination, after the hours, the rite of confession of the faith of Abbot John was performed, during which he took the oath of allegiance and obedience to the Synod of Bishops of the ROCA.
Bishop John of Melbourne will be the vicar bishop of the Chairman of the Synod of ROCA, Metropolitan Agafangel.
The rite of Election of Abbot John for the bishopric of Melbourne
According to the Decree of the Council of Bishops, in the Odessa Archangel Michael Cathedral, at the completion of the All-Night Vigil and the hours, Metropolitan Agafangel and Archbishop George performed the rite of Election of a Bishop over Abbot John (Smelic), naming him Bishop-elect of the God-preserved city of Melbourne (Australia), to be vicar Bishop of the President of the Synod.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
The Protection of the Mother of God - Melbourne Parish Feast
The Protection of the Mother of God parish in Melbourne celebrated its feast day on the Protection of the Mother of God, October 1/14. The rector of the parish, Igumen Andrei (Erastov), concelebrated with igumen John (Smelic). Despite the feast falling on a weekday, quite a few people were able to attend the services.
