Saint Nicholas' is an Orthodox Christian parish of East Slavic tradition serving Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. It includes Orthodox Christians of Belarussian, Ukrainian, Russian, Macedonian, and other backgrounds. We are a parish of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, a self-governing part of the Russian Orthodox Church, is completely independent in pastoral, educational, administrative, management, property, and civil matters. Our parish is doctrinally Orthodox, liturgically traditional, and welcoming to all. In our services we use English, the language of this country, together with Church Slavonic, the liturgical language of the Slavic peoples. Established in 1952, our parish is the oldest continuously functioning Orthodox parish in the Hunter Valley and one of the oldest in our Diocese. Visiting our parish
We usually have services on the second and fourth Sundays of each month and on the preceding Saturday evenings. Our Schedule of Services can be viewed here. Our church is generally only open when we have services. Visitors are always welcome! If you would like to contact us before visiting, it is best to send an email. We check this inbox regularly and will respond to messages within 24 hours. You can also contact us in the same way to arrange baptisms and memorial services. The availability of our parish priest
Our parish priest, Archpriest James Carles, serves in a voluntary capacity. He does not live in the Hunter Region but travels here from the Central Coast for services. Like many clergymen of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, he has secular employment during the week. He is also presently undertaking full-time tertiary study. In addition to our parish, Father James has responsibility for Saint Panteleimon Russian Orthodox Church in Gosford and Saint Symeon of Verkhoturye Orthodox Mission on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. As a result, his pastoral availability is strictly limited to scheduled services in the three communities and “needs” such as baptisms, weddings, end-of-life care, and funerals. Confessions are only heard during evening services or before Divine Liturgy. Molebens and memorial services may be arranged after Divine Liturgy on Sundays. Father James can be contacted by email here.
Supporting our parish
Our parish is a small one that relies on community support and the voluntary service of our clergy to make ends meet. If you find this website to be of interest or of assistance, please consider helping us. Donations may be made directly to our bank account:
St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church BSB: 032-509 Account number: 281104
May the Lord bless you! Forthcoming services and activities
Services on 18-19 April, the Second Sunday of Pascha - 19/04/2026
On Saturday 18 April and Sunday 19 April we will have services for Thomas Sunday, the Second Sunday of Pascha. Matins will be served at 6.00pm on Saturday and the Hours and Divine Liturgy will be served at 9.00am on Sunday. Following the Prayer before the Amvon at Divine Liturgy, the Prayer at the breaking of the Artos will be read and pieces of the blessed bread will be distributed to the faithful. Parish Life
Services on 21-22 March, the Fourth Sunday in Great Lent - 22/03/2026
On Saturday 21 March and Sunday 22 March we had services for the Fourth Sunday in Great Lent. This year, the customary commemoration of Saint John of the Ladder was set aside for that of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (+c.320AD), revered models of faithfulness to Christ. Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At Divine Liturgy our small church was full and many received Holy Communion. The customary prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and peace in the Holy Land. As Saturday 21 March was a day of commemoration of the departed, Matins on Saturday evening was preceded by a general panikhida to which some parishioners brought non-perishable foods and new personal care products to be passed to a local charitable organisation for relief of the homeless as an act of kindness in memory of their departed. 00001
Services on 7-8 March, the Second Sunday in Great Lent - 08/03/2026
On Saturday 7 March and Sunday 8 March we had services for the Second Sunday in Great Lent. Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At Divine Liturgy the customary prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and peace in the Holy Land. As Saturday 7 March was a day of commemoration of the departed, Matins on Saturday evening was preceded by a general panikhida to which many brought non-perishable foods and new personal care products to be passed to a local charitable organisation for relief of the homeless as an act of kindness in memory of their departed. Church & Community Life
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