This year was one in which we celebrated a number of major anniversaries in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Hunter Valley – 75 years since the first Russian Orthodox service on the Great Feast of the Dormition in Greta in 1949; 60 years since the consecration of our current church of Saint Nicholas; 30 years since the establishment of the Theophany parish in Mayfield and 15 years since its closure and unification with our parish; 40 years of service as a reader and subdeacon by Vitaly Lupish; and 20 years of service as a reader and subdeacon by Luke Goura.  To our great sorrow, Subdeacon Vitaly departed this life in June – he had been a key figure in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church in the region since 1949 and in our parish from its foundation in 1952.  We had three weddings and ten baptisms this year - five of the baptisms were of adults, and five were of children.  Our parish continued to grow and for the first time in many years our church was regularly full.  In November we welcomed Archbishop George on his first visit to our parish since 2019 and held an exhibition of icons, sacred items and photographs from across the 75 years of Russian Orthodoxy in the region.  By the end of the year, the Parish Council had effectively finalised a ‘Master Plan’ for improvements to our church and grounds incorporating reconstruction of our church porches, improvement of our outside toilet facilities, and better paving.  All the news from 2024 can be read here.  Glory be to God for all things!

On Sunday 29 December, the Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Pentecost and the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers,  the Hours and Divine Liturgy  were celebrated at Saint Symeon of Verkhoturye Orthodox Mission on the NSW Mid North Coast.  As in December 2023, the services were held at Boambee Memorial Hall, a short distance from Coffs Harbour.  In anticipation of the main feast of Saint Symeon on 31 December, a moleben to the saint was served immediately after Divine Liturgy and the faithful were given blessed icon-cards.  As 2024 was the fifth anniversary of services on the Mid North Coast, Father James then announced the bestowal of special Certificates of Appreciation on mission founders, benefactors and hosts Tatiana Tobin, Evan and Katerina Cotten, Evgeniya Biryukova and Ashish Sinha, and Liubov Sleaford.  Those present, amongst whom were both new faces and guests from further afield, then shared in a festive meal.

On Saturday 21 December and Sunday 22 December we had services for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of the Conception by Saint Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos.  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 prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and peace in the Holy Land. These were our final services for 2024.

From December 6-9, 2024, the final session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia for 2024 was held in New York.  Amongst other things, the Synod considered the administration of the Mystery of Holy Communion to those who suffer from certain ailments such as coeliac disease and the associated condition of gluten-intolerance.  The Synod “considered this a welcome opportunity to restate its age-old confession on the reception of this Sacrament, which remains unchanged: Namely, that in the Divine Liturgy we, as Christians grafted into the Body of Christ through Baptism, receive our Lord in His own Precious Body and Life-creating Blood. Not only is communion in the full offering of His Body and Blood together not a source of illness or danger, but it is instead the very source of Life, healing and sanctification. As such, those suffering from any condition relating to either of the earthly gifts offered in the Liturgy, namely bread and wine, should have no fear in approaching the Chalice to receive therefrom both the Body and Blood of their Saviour, for that which was offered in human frailty is transformed by Divine Grace into that which bestows Life unto all. For any further practical counsel based on personal circumstances or concerns, the individual should, as always, seek the guidance of his or her priest.”  A full report on the meeting of the Synod is available in English here and in Russian here.

On Wednesday 18 December and Thursday 19 December we had services in honour of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, archbishop of Myra in Lycia (+342 AD), the heavenly protector of our parish.  All-night Vigil with the blessing of five loaves, wheat, wine and oil was served on Wednesday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Thursday morning.  At Divine Liturgy the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michal Matys and prayers were offered for peace in the Holy Land.  Following Divine Liturgy there was a moleben to Saint Nicholas.   The parish rector then congratulated our Warden Nikolai Goura and our Parish Council member Dean (Nicholas) Crawford on their name-day, and altar-server Daniel Goura on his recent birthday and forthcoming name-day.  After ‘Many Years’ was sung for them, those present gathered in the church for a festive meal.

On Sunday 8 December our parish held its 2024 Annual General Meeting.  The 2024 Annual Report was presented and accepted.  Nikolai Goura was elected Warden for a further three-year term, and Irene Lupish, Olga Bogacheva, Lucea Szabunia and Dean (Nicholas) Crawford were elected to serve on the 2024-25 Parish Council.

On Saturday 7 December and Sunday 8 December we had services for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, the Apodosis of the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple, and in honour of Hieromartyr Clement of Rome (+101 AD).  Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and peace in the Holy Land. It being the Nativity Fast, a great many people received Holy Communion. Following the services on Sunday the third and final announcement was made concerning the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the parish.

Our 2024 Annual Report, including the independently audited 2023-24 Financial Statements, is now available.  It includes information about the governance of our parish and gives a little parish history.  It also summarises the life and activity of the parish in 2023-24 and provides details of some future plans.  A copy of the report, which will be formally presented to our parish Annual General Meeting on Sunday 8 December 2024, is available here.  We encourage our parishioners and friends with questions or comments concerning our Annual Report to contact us.

The November 2024 issue of “Word of the Church” (“Церковное Слово”), the official journal of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, is now available in our parishes. This is a combined third and fourth issue for 2024, and so the final issue for the year.  Content includes articles in Russian and English about the seventy-fifth anniversary of Melbourne’s Holy Protection Cathedral and the bestowal of a prestigious Patriarchal award, the Order of Saint Sergius of Radonezh (First Degree) upon our Diocesan Chancellor, Mitred Archpriest Michael Protopopov; articles in Russian on the blessing of a memorial to Saint John of Kronstadt in Dandenong, Victoria, and youth matters; articles in English on the missionary parish of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Dardanup, WA and a tour of Serbia by the Russian Orthodox Male Choir of Australia; a beautiful colour supplement of photographs from Azerbaijan; notice of the ordination of a new priest for Saint John the Baptist Skete in Kentlyn, NSW, Father Apostolos Condoleon; and more.  Copies are $5.00.

Our Summer 2024-25 Schedule of Services - covering December, January and February - is now available in PDF format.  A copy of the English-language Summer 2024-25 Schedule of Services is available here, and a copy of the Russian-language Summer 2024-25 Schedule of Services is available here.  Printed copies are available in church.   Services of note will be for Saint Nicholas on 18-19 December and for the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ (Christmas) on 6-7 January.

On Saturday 23 November and Sunday 24 November we had services for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of Martyrs Minas (+304 AD), Victor and Stephanida (+2nd C. AD), and Vincent (+304 AD).  Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and peace in the Holy Land.  As Saturday 23 November was the anniversary of the repose of Archpriest John Lupish (+1977), a panikhida was served immediately before Matins and a memorial litia was served immediately after Divine Liturgy.  At both services Father John was commemorated together with his matushka, Maria (+1979), and his eldest son, Subdeacon Vitaly (+2024).  Following the services on Sunday an announcement was made concerning the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the parish. 

On Saturday 9 November and Sunday 10 November we had services for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of Venerable Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev (+1651 AD).  Matins was served on Saturday evening.  On Sunday, His Eminence Archbishop George of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand arrived for what was his first visit to our parish since May 2019.  Following the greeting and vesting of the archbishop, the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served.  Concelebrating with Vladyka George were the parish rector and Deacon Michal Matys.  At Divine Liturgy the choir sang beautifully under the direction of Ludmila Alexandrovsky, and prayers were offered for the repose of the newly-departed Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America (+8 November 2024).  After the dismissal, a parish Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Leonid and Tatiana Bondarchuk, and many years was sung for them and the head of the parish Ladies’ Auxiliary, Irene Lupish, whose birthday it was.  An announcement was then made concerning the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the parish.  A festive meal was held in the church hall afterwards.  Those present also took the opportunity to view a display of photographs, icons and others items prepared to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of our community in the Hunter Region, beginning with the arrival of Archpriest John Lupish in Greta in August 1949.

On Saturday 26 October and Sunday 27 October we had services for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council.  Matins was served on Saturday evening, and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At both services the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michael Matys.  At Divine Liturgy our small church was again full.  Prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land, and a great many people received Holy Communion.

On Saturday 12 October and Sunday 13 October we had services for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of Hieromartyr Gregory, enlightener and bishop of Greater Armenia (+335 AD).  Matins was served on Saturday evening, and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At both services our small church was full, and the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michael Matys.  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land.

On the weekend of Saturday 5 October – Monday 7 October, the New South Wales (NSW) Labour Day Long Weekend, a small group of Orthodox Christians from the NSW Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions gathered at the site of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Monkerai, NSW, for a weekend of work and prayer.  Under the leadership of site caretaker, Gregory Alexandrovsky, work undertaken included final clearing and levelling of a new road; further work on the toilet block; repositioning of the shipping containers used for storage; construction of work benches; plumbing; and a number of cleaning and maintenance tasks.  On Sunday, the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost and the day of commemoration of the conception of Saint John the Baptist, a "reader" service comprising the Hours and Typika was held in the site’s small chapel.  God willing, there will be a further working-bee in December 2024. Note, 13 October 2024: Photographs will be added soon!

On Sunday 29 September our parish rector visited Saint Symeon of Verkhoturye Orthodox Mission on the NSW Mid North Coast and conducted services for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross, and the day of commemoration of Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised (+304 AD).  The services were held at the Wauchope Community Arts Hall, the Mission’s Port Macquarie-Hastings region ‘home’ since April 2023.  The Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  Prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land, and many of those present received Holy Communion.  At the end of the service there was a blessing of honey.  As is customary, those present afterwards shared a common meal.

On Saturday 21 September and Sunday 22 September we had services for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, the Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross, the Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Mother of God, and in honour of the Righteous Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Mother of God.  Matins was served on Saturday evening, and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At both services the parish rector served alone.  At Divine Liturgy our small church was full, and prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and peace in the Holy Land.  In the church hall after Divine Liturgy, Central Coast author Anya Nielsen presented her two most recent books, ‘Following the Grand Tour’ and ‘Babushka’s Feast’.

On Saturday 7 September and Sunday 8 September we had services for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of the ‘Vladimir’ Icon of the Mother of God and Martyrs Adrian and Natalia and those with them (+305-311).  Matins was served on Saturday evening, and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At both services the parish rector served alone.  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and peace in the Holy Land, and our regular parishioners were joined by newcomers wishing to learn more about the Orthodox faith.  In his sermon the parish rector spoke about the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35, the appointed Gospel reading) and the history and significance of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.

The August 2024 issue of “Word of the Church” (“Церковное Слово”), the official journal of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, is now available in our parishes. This is the second issue for 2024.  Content includes an extensive report in both Russian and English with many photographs of the July 2024 visit to our Diocese of Metropolitan Nicholas with the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God; a report of the May 2024 visit of the ‘Hawaiian-Iveron’ Icon; an article by Archpriest Nicholas Karipoff on the ministry of the matushka, the priest’s wife; a report on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Holy Fathers parish in Warrnambool, Victoria; a beautiful colour supplement of photographs from Kazan and Yaroslavl; notice of the ordination of a new deacon for the Melbourne Cathedral, Father Grigory Metlenko; and more.  Copies are $5.00.

On Tuesday 27 August and Wednesday 28 August we had services for the Great Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God.  All-night Vigil with the blessing of wheat, wine, oil and five loaves was served on Tuesday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Wednesday morning.  As on Wednesday it was 75 years since the first Russian Orthodox services in the Hunter Valley, served in the Anglican Chapel at the Greta Migrant Camp just nine days after the arrival in Newcastle from Europe of Archpriest John Lupish and his family, a brief moleben of thanksgiving was served at the end of Divine Liturgy.  Afterwards, ‘Eternal Memory’ was sung for the departed hierarchs, clergy and lay people who had laboured over the course of 75 years for the benefit of the Russian Orthodox Church in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.  Following the services on Wednesday there was a light festive meal in the church hall.

Our Spring 2024 Schedule of Services - covering September, October and November - is now available in PDF format.  A copy of the English-language Spring 2024 Schedule of Services is available here, and a copy of the Russian-language Spring 2024 Schedule of Services is available here.  Important services on the schedule include Archbishop George’s planned visit to our parish on Sunday 10 November, and a memorial service for Archpriest John Lupish (+1977) on Saturday 23 November.

On Saturday 24 August and Sunday 25 August we had services for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, the Afterfeast of Transfiguration, and in honour of Martyrs Photius and Anicetus and those with them (+305-306 AD).  Matins was served on Saturday evening, and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At both services the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michael Matys, and at Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and peace in the Holy Land.  On Sunday we were joined by friends from the Central Coast and by newcomers interested in learning more about Orthodox Christianity.

On the weekend of Saturday 17 August and Sunday 18 August, a small group of men from Newcastle, Armidale, and across the Mid North Coast gathered at the site of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Monkerai, NSW, for a further weekend of work and prayer.  Unpredictable weather and poor ground conditions were no hindrance to the team of volunteers, and under the leadership of site caretaker, Gregory Alexandrovsky, work undertaken included the installation of a safe; reorganisation of the kitchen area; significant progress on the toilet block; cutting and storing an immense amount of firewood; the laying of a stone border on portions of the new roadway; removal of thistles and other weeds; and general upkeep and maintenance of the buildings and site.  The volunteers were grateful to have a new dual-axle trailer purchased by the Australian-New Zealand Diocese, and funds were raised by the volunteers themselves for the purchase of a new chainsaw.  Early on Sunday, the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, the Forefeast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, and the commemoration of Martyr Eusignius of of Antich (+362 AD), a "reader" service comprising the Hours and Typika was held in the site’s small chapel.  All present afterwards shared a common breakfast.  God willing, there will be a further working-bee in September 2024.

On Saturday 10 August and Sunday 11 August we had services for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of Martyr Callinicus of Cilicia (+c.250 AD).  Matins was served on Saturday evening, and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and peace in the Holy Land, and at the end of the service there was a blessing of honey.  The honey, a gift to our parish and the Gosford parish, was afterwards distributed amongst the faithful.

On Sunday 4 August, the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost and the day of commemoration of Holy Myrrh-bearer Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles, a group of lay members of the Mid North Coast Mission gathered again at a private home in Coffs Harbour for the reading of the Hours and Typika.  A copy of the order of service followed is available here.  In addition to the reading of the psalms and prayers, those present were able to venerate the Holy Gospel, the Cross, and the icons belonging to the mission. The life of Saint Mary Magdalene was then read aloud, followed by the other appointed readings from The Prologue of Ohrid by Saint Nikolai (Velimirovic).  At the conclusion of the readings, all present shared a common meal. 

On Saturday 27 July the parish rector baptised an adult convert to Orthodoxy, Harry McInnes.  In baptism Harry took the name John in honour of Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople.  He had as his sponsor our parishioner, James Savage.  Afterwards, family members, friends and parishioners gathered in the church hall for a festive BBQ lunch.  On the following day, John received Holy Communion for the first time.  We warmly congratulate the newly-baptised servant of God John, wishing him good health, every blessing from above, and many years!  John was the sixth adult convert to be baptised in our parish since May 2023.  

On Saturday 27 July and Sunday 28 July we had services for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir, Enlightener of the Russian people (+1015 AD), and the Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils.  Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land, and the newly-baptised servant of God John, an adult convert to Orthodox Christianity, received Holy Communion for the first time.

On the evening of Wednesday 24 July the Parish Council met by videoconference.  This was the sixth meeting of the Parish Council in 2024 and the first of the new financial year.  The minutes of the May 2024 meeting were ratified, and the parish rector presented his usual report on church life and his own pastoral activity.  Reports were also presented by the Warden and the Treasurer.  It was agreed that new red vestments would be purchased for the church and icon stands, and that we would again provide a calendar to parishioners and friends in 2025. A charitable donation was approved.  Design drawings of improvements to our church, amenities, hall, and grounds prepared by Beyond Space Residential Design were discussed and modifications to the plan recommended.  A draft 2023-24 Annual Report and an updated plan to ensure the safety, security and stability of our parish were tabled for further discussion in due course.  The Parish Council will meet next on Wednesday 21 August.

Between Friday 19 July and Friday 21 July, Orthodox Christians from Newcastle, Gosford, Armidale, and across the Mid North Coast gathered at the site of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Monkerai, NSW, for a weekend of work and prayer.  Under the leadership of the site caretaker, Gregory Alexandrovsky, work undertaken included the mounting of solar panels on the roof of the main building and their connection to the previously installed inverter and battery; the pouring of footings for the shower block; removal and disposal of trees and levelling of ground for a new access road and parking area; the digging of a pit in preparation for the relocation of the toilet; and general upkeep and maintenance of the buildings and site.  An adventurous group trekked the property in an effort to establish access to highest peak on the site.  Although unsuccessful, they plan to try again soon with the aid of a drone and geolocator technology; it is hoped that a small chapel will ultimately be constructed on the peak.  In the morning on Sunday, the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost and the day of commemoration of the appearance of the revered “Kazan” Icon of the Mother of God in 1579 AD, a "reader" service (that is, a service without a priest) comprising the Hours and Typika was held in the small corner chapel in the main building on the site.  All present took turn in the reading and afterwards shared a common meal.  The weekend was a wonderful opportunity for Orthodox Christians of diverse backgrounds to form new friendships and strengthen existing bonds through common labour and prayer.  Much has been accomplished at the monastery site under Gregory Alexandrovsky’s leadership since 2022 – arguably more than in the entire twenty years previously.

On Saturday 13 July and Sunday 14 July we had services for the Third Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of All Saints of Russia.  Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  As is customary on the day of commemoration of All Saints of Russia, the church was beautifully vested in green.  At Divine Liturgy the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michal Matys and prayers were offered for peace in the Holy Land and the prosperity of the Russian Church.  On Sunday morning our small church was full, with our regular parishioners joined by visitors from the Mid North Coast and by newcomers interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith.

On Thursday 11 July and Friday 12 July services were held to celebrate the patronal feast of the Diocesan Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Strathfield, NSW.  All-night Vigil with the blessing of wheat, wine, oil and five loaves was served on Thursday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Friday morning.  The services on Friday were preceded by the Lesser Blessing of Water and followed by a moleben to the Mother of God and the Holy Preёminent Apostles Peter and Paul with a cross procession around the cathedral.  All the services were held in presence of the wonderworking 'Kursk-Root' Icon of the Mother of God and led by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR).  This was Metropolitan Nicholas’ first visit to Australia as First Hierarch.  On Friday Metropolitan Nicholas, Bishop George and the clergy of the cathedral were joined by Metropolitan Siluan of the Serbian Orthodox Church, by clergymen accompanying Metropolitan Nicholas, and by Russian and Serbian Orthodox clergy from the Greater Sydney region - including our own parish clergy - and interstate.  A list of participating clergy is available here.  As the other Sydney parishes of our Diocese did not have services and it was during the winter school holidays, a great many people were present.  Following Divine Liturgy it was announced that Bishop George had been elevated to the rank of Archbishop by decision of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops, and a jubilee pectoral cross commemorating the centenary of the ROCOR was presented to cathedral Dean Archpriest George Lapardin in honour of his thirty-five years of service as a clergyman.  Congratulations and gifts were then exchanged.  Upon completion of the services on Friday there was a festive banquet in the church hall for approximately 400 people.

On Wednesday 24 July, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas (Olkhovsky) of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, will give a talk to youth (ages 14-25) on the Wonderworking “Kursk-Root” Icon of the Mother of God.  The talk will be given at 7.00pm in the parish hall at Saints Peter and Paul Diocesan Cathedral, 3 Vernon Street, Strathfield, NSW.  There will be an opportunity to ask questions of Metropolitan Nicholas, and light refreshments will be provided.

On the weekend of Saturday-Sunday 29-30 June our parish rector visited Saint Symeon of Verkhoturye Orthodox Mission on the NSW Mid North Coast.  On Saturday 29 June In Brierfield, NSW, he baptised Ksenia, the infant daughter of Mitchaell Eames and Ellen Rubbo. On Sunday 30 June, the First Sunday after Pentecost and the Sunday of All Saints, the Hours and Divine Liturgy  were served at Bellingen Neighbourhood Centre.  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land, and the newly-baptised Ksenia received Holy Communion for the first time.  Many other members of the Mission took the opportunity to confess and receive Holy Communion.  We were again joined by newcomers interested in the Orthodox faith, and after Divine Liturgy all shared a common meal.  God willing, the next services on the Mid North Coast will be Hours and Divine Liturgy in Wauchope, NSW, on Sunday 29 September, the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost and the Afterfeast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

On Saturday 30 June 2024, Deacon Mark Donnelly of the Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Newcastle will be ordained to the priesthood during Divine Liturgy at that parish.  Deacon Mark, a convert to Orthodoxy, is a respected clergyman who is known to many in our parish.  His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia will travel to Newcastle and preside at Matins and Divine Liturgy at the Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox church.  More information is available here.  On the same day, the newly-elevated Metropolitan Siluan of the Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand will visit Saint Naum of Ohrid Serbian Orthodox Church and preside at Divine Liturgy in anticipation of its patronal feast (“Slava”).  More information is available here.

On Saturday 22 June and Sunday 23 June we had services for the Great Feast of Pentecost.  All-night Vigil with the blessing of wheat, wine, oil and five loaves was served on Saturday evening.  Prior to the service our small church had been beautifully decorated with flowers and green branches in honour of the life-giving Holy Spirit.  On Sunday morning, the Hours and Divine Liturgy were immediately followed by Vespers with the reading of the customary "kneeling prayers".  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land, and the newly-baptised servant of God Cyprian received Holy Communion for the first time.

On Saturday 22 June, the eve of the Great Feast of Pentecost, the parish rector baptised an adult convert to Orthodoxy, Corey Minns.  In baptism Corey took the name Cyprian in honour of Hieromartyr Cyprian of Carthage.  Cyprian had as his sponsor Thaddeus Anthoney.  Afterwards, family members, friends and parishioners gathered in the church hall for a festive BBQ lunch.  We warmly congratulate the newly-baptised servant of God Cyprian, wishing him good health, every blessing from above, and many years!

On Tuesday 18 June approximately 200 mourners gathered in our church for the funeral of Subdeacon Vitaly Lupish (+9 June 2024).  Our parish rector conducted the service with the assistance of Deacon Michal Matys.  A visiting choir sang beautifully under the direction of Andrei Lapteff.  Following the service many gathered in the church hall and grounds for refreshments.  The burial at Sandgate Cemetery – delayed as a result of recent heavy rain – took place on Friday 21 June.  That morning, a small group of family members and close friends gathered for a graveside service in the Macedonian section of the cemetery.  Memory eternal!

On Sunday 9 June we learned with great sadness of the repose, that morning, of Subdeacon Vitaly Lupish.  Vitaly, the eldest son of ever-memorable Archpriest John Lupish, was a founding member of our parish.  An indispensable helper to his father in parish life, he was also the designer of our church and hall, a participant in both building projects, and an active member of the Parish Council.  After the repose of his mother, Matushka Maria, in 1979, he became our choir director.  Tonsured a reader and ordained subdeacon by the ever-memorable Archbishop Paul (Pavlov) in 1984, Vitaly assisted the many clergymen assigned to serve our parish after his father’s repose in 1977.  It is impossible to over-estimate Vitaly's contribution to Saint Nicholas' in the course of over 70 years. In recognition of his long and distinguished service to our parish he received a number of church awards, amongst which were the prestigious Diocesan Cross and the medal commemorating 75 years of our Diocese.  He is survived by his beloved wife Irene and their children Larissa and Alexander and their families, and by his brother John and his family, to whom we offer heartfelt condolences.  Funeral details will be shared in due course.

On Saturday 8 June and Sunday 9 June we had services for the Sixth Sunday of Pascha, the Sunday of the Blind Man.   Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land.  Following Divine Liturgy a memorial litia was served for the newly-reposed Subdeacon Vitaly Lupish.

From Friday 5 July until Friday 26 July, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas (Olkhovsky) of Eastern America and New York will make his first visit to our Australian-New Zealand Diocese since his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.  Accompanying Metropolitan Nicholas will be the Wonderworking “Kursk-Root” Icon of the Mother of God, the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora.  As he will be in our Diocese for a relatively short period of time, Metropolitan Nicholas will only be able to visit parishes in New Zealand, the city of Sydney, and the state of Victoria.  In Sydney he will visit the Kentlyn Convent and the Strathfield, Croydon, Fairfield, Carlton, Centennial Park, and Cabramatta parishes.  A full schedule of planned visits, current as of 5 June 2024, is available here.  The icon will remain in Australia until Thursday 24 October 2024, during which time it is expected that it will visit all the parishes and monastic establishments of the Diocese.  An updated schedule of visits, current as of 24 June 2024, is available here.

On the evening of Wednesday 29 May the Parish Council met by videoconference.  This was the fifth meeting of the Parish Council in 2024.  The minutes of the April 2024 meeting were ratified, and the parish rector presented his usual report covering the life of the parish and the Diocese, Orthodox life in Newcastle, and his own pastoral activity.  Reports were also presented by the Warden and the Treasurer.  Consideration was given to initial design drawings prepared by Beyond Space Residential Design, an architectural firm engaged in February 2024 to develop a plan for much-needed improvements to our church, amenities, hall, and grounds; the planned improvements include new church entrances, an accessible toilet, new paving, and a small extension to the church hall.  The Parish Council will take a break during June 2024 and next meet late in July 2024, again by videoconference.  At the July 2024 meeting it is expected that the Parish Council will consider a draft 2023-24 Annual Report and an updated plan to ensure the safety, security and stability of our parish.

On Tuesday 21 May and Wednesday 22 May we had services commemorating the Translation of the Relics of Saint Nicholas from Myra in Lycia to Bari, Italy, in 1087 AD.  This is the patronal feast-day of our church.  All-night Vigil with the blessing of wheat, wine, oil and five loaves was served on Tuesday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Wednesday morning. Divine Liturgy on Wednesday was preceded by the Lesser Blessing of Water and followed by a moleben to Saint Nicholas with a cross procession around our small church.  It being a working day, only a small number of our parishioners and friends were able to be present.  Upon completion of the services on Wednesday there was a simple festive meal in the church hall.

Our Winter 2023 Schedule of Services - covering June, July and August - is now available.  Services of particular note during this period will be All-night Vigil and Divine Liturgy on Saturday-Sunday 22-22 June for the Great Feast of Pentecost, Matins and Divine Liturgy on Saturday-Sunday 13-14 July for All Saints of Russia, Matins and Divine Liturgy on Saturday-Sunday 27-28 July for the Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils and for Saint Vladimir, and All-night Vigil and Divine Liturgy on Tuesday-Wednesday 27-28 August for the Great Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God.  A copy of the English-language Winter 2023 Schedule of Services is available here, and a copy of the Russian-language Winter 2023 Schedule of Services is available here.  Printed copies are also available in church.

Edited: On Saturday 18 May and Sunday 19 May we had services for the Third Sunday of Pascha, the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers.  On this day the Holy Orthodox Church remembers those righteous men and women who buried Christ and later came to his tomb bearing myrrh and sweet spices: Mary Magdalen; Mary, the wife of Cleopas; Joanna; Salome, mother of the sons of Zebedee; Susanna; Martha and Mary, the sisters of Saint Lazarus; Mary, mother of the Apostle James; Righteous Joseph of Arimathea; and Nicodemus.  Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land and the newly-baptised servant of God Joseph, an adult convert received into Orthodoxy by baptism on the previous day, received Holy Communion for the first time.  Following Divine Liturgy pieces of the Artos, a special loaf of bread blessed at the end of Divine Liturgy on Pascha and divided on Thomas Sunday in Gosford, were given to the faithful.

With the blessing of Bishop George, the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron Icon of the Mother of God will visit our Australian-New Zealand Diocese from Friday 17 May 2024 until Monday 27 May 2024.  The icon will be in New South Wales from 17 May until 21 May and will visit the Kentlyn Convent and the Strathfield, Cabramatta, Fairfield, and Carlton parishes.  It will not visit our parish.   A full schedule is available here.  Information about the icon is available on the website of the Orthodox Hawaiian Iveron Icon Association. The text of the Akathist that will be sung in the presence of the icon is available in various languages on the same website here.

This year, our parish again had a small number of traditional services for Holy Week and Pascha.  Matins with the reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels was served in the evening on Thursday 2 May and Vespers with the bringing out of the Shroud of Christ was served in the afternoon on Friday 3 May.  On Saturday 4 May Midnight Office was served late in the evening, with Paschal Matins and Divine Liturgy following in the early hours of 5 May, the Sunday of Pascha.    Easter baskets with cakes, eggs and other festive foods were blessed following Matins.  Many then remained for Divine Liturgy and a small celebration in the church hall afterwards.  At all the services, the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michal Matys.

The April 2024 issue of “Word of the Church” (“Церковное Слово”), the official journal of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, is now available in our parishes. This is the first issue for 2024.  Content includes the Great Lenten Epistle of Metropolitan Nicholas in both Russian and English; edifying articles by Mitred Archpriest Nicholas Karipoff and Priest Gennady Baksheev of the Holy Protection Cathedral in Melbourne; information about the Saints Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Institute; a profile of Priest John Sullivan, rector of the Nativity of the Mother of God Mission in Dardanup, WA; a profile of Priest John Symons, rector of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross parish in Hobart, Tasmania; a beautiful colour supplement, with text in Russian and English, showcasing the magnificent New Jerusalem Monastery near Moscow; a directory of Diocesan parishes, monasteries and missions; details of various recent clergy movements and awards; and more.  Copies are $5.00.

On Palm Sunday each year the parishes, monasteries and missions of our Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia customarily take up a collection to benefit the Russian Eccelesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.  Many places of immense spiritual and historical significance in the Holy Land have been entrusted to our Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, and we have many monastics there who care for these holy places, undertake good works, and pray for the whole world.  As we will have no Palm Sunday services in our parish this year, those who wish to make a donation may do so via Paypal through the Mission's website.  For those planning to visit our neighbouring Gosford parish, a collection will be taken up there.

On Saturday 20 April and Sunday 21 April we had services for the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, the day of commemoration of Saint Mary of Egypt (+522 AD).  Matins  was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At Divine Liturgy the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michal Matys and prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land.  Our small church was full on Sunday and many people received Holy Communion.  In his sermon, the parish rector spoke about Saint Mary of Egypt as a model of repentance and steadfast spiritual struggle.

On the evening of Sunday 14 April we had a General Service of Anointing with Oil.  Twenty-five of our parishioners gathered to pray and receive anointing with oil for the healing of soul and body.  For Orthodox Christians this service, otherwise served only for individuals who are grievously ill, is a customary part of Great Lent.

On Sunday 14 April, the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent and the day of commemoration of Saint John of the Ladder, a group of lay members of the Mid North Coast Mission gathered at a private home in Coffs Harbour for the reading of the Hours and Typika.  A copy of the order of service followed is available here.  In addition to the reading of the psalms and prayers, those present were able to venerate the Holy Gospel, the Cross, and the icons of the Resurrection and Saint John of the Ladder.  The lives of Saint John and of Saint Mary of Egypt were then read aloud, followed by the appointed readings from The Prologue of Ohrid by Saint Nikolai (Velimirovic).  At the conclusion of the readings, all present shared a Lenten meal.  It is planned that the community will continue to gather this way on one Sunday of each month with the intention of supplementing the quarterly visits from a priest, strengthening friendships, and developing liturgical and other experience necessary for the growth of the Mission.

On Friday 12 April the family and friends of Nikolai Shalimov gathered in our church for his funeral.  Nikolai, who was born in 1947 and departed this life on 4 April 2024 aged 77, was a son of Michael Shalimov, one of the builders of our small church.  After the funeral service he was laid to rest in Wallsend Cemetery together with his wife Raisa (+2022) and his daughter Joanne (+2016), a short distance from the graves of parents, Michael and Nina.  We offer heartfelt condolences to Nikolai’s son Dean and the wider family.  May God give rest to his newly-departed servant!

The Fund for Assistance (FFA) to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia has issued a Great Lent 2024 Appeal to the Faithful of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese.  The appeal has been made with support for needy clergy particularly in mind, and an undertaking that any donations made will be matched up until a target of US$10,000 is reached.  Donations can be made via the FFA website here.  Questions about the appeal can be asked here.

On Saturday 6 April, the eve of the Great Feast of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, the parish rector baptised an adult convert to Orthodoxy, Howard Trott.  In baptism Howard, who has been a regular worshipper at our parish for some time and is also a member of the Mid North Coast Mission, took the name Thaddeus in honour of Apostle Thaddeus.  Thaddeus had as his sponsor Gregory Alexandrovsky.  Afterwards, parishioners and friends gathered in the church hall for a festive afternoon tea.  We warmly congratulate the newly-baptised servant of God Thaddeus, wishing him good health, every blessing from above, and many years!

On Saturday 6 April and Sunday 7 April we had services for the Third Sunday of Great Lent and the Great Feast of the Annunciation of the Mother of God.  All-night vigil with the blessing of wheat, wine, oil, and five loaves was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At both services the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michal Matys.  At Divine Liturgy the choir was conducted by Nikolai Morozoff.  Our church was full on Sunday morning, with visitors from the Central Coast and from the Serbian Orthodox parish in Broadmeadow joining our regular congregation.  Many took the opportunity to confess and receive Holy Communion.  Prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land, and the newly-baptised Thaddeus (Howard) Trott received Holy Communion for the first time.  Following the dismissal at Divine Liturgy all venerated the Precious and Life-giving Cross of our Lord.

On Sunday 31 March our parish rector visited Saint Symeon of Verkhoturye Orthodox Mission on the NSW Mid North Coast and conducted services for the Second Sunday of Great Lent, the day of commemoration of Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica  (+1359 AD).  The services were held the Wauchope Community Arts Hall, the Mission’s Port Macquarie-Hastings region “home” since April 2023.  The Hours and Divine Liturgy  were served on Sunday morning, with many of those present confessing and receiving Holy Communion.  At these services some new items were used for the first time: a portable altar table and table of preparation made by Michael Sokolsky, and a number of folding wooden icon stands made by Mission member Howard Trott.  As Saturday 30 March had been a day of commemoration of the departed, a memorial litia was served following Divine Liturgy.  All present stayed for a common meal afterwards. 

Each year on the First Sunday of Great Lent, the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, parishes of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia take up a collection to benefit the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, New York. The Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary has for over seventy-five years been the main institution of higher education in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.  This collection provides financial assistance to students, covering tuition, room, and board.  As we don’t always have a service on the day of the collection and as in the post-COVID world people carry less cash, our parish now simply makes a donation from parish funds towards this collection.  Those who wish to make a direct donation to the Seminary may do so here.

Updated 29 April 2024: This year Bright Monday, the second day of Pascha, will fall on 6 May, the day of commemoration of the Holy Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer George.  The clergy of the Greater Sydney region have been asked to not schedule services in their own parishes on this day, but rather to celebrate Divine Liturgy together with Bishop George on the occasion of his name-day.  Paschal Matins and Divine Liturgy will be served at Saints Peter and Paul Diocesan Cathedral in Strathfield on Monday morning.  The faithful who wish to do so may also attend this service.

With Bishop George's blessing, from late May 2024 the English-language Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church, a parish of our Diocese in Brisbane, will be offering an online course of religious instruction in Orthodox theology and practice.  This course consists of 17 sessions, each comprising an online video (which can be watched at each participant's convenience), a revision task, and an interactive Q&A session via Zoom on Sunday evenings.  The course is suitable for inquirers, catechumens (i.e. those preparing for baptism), and those who are already Orthodox Christians.  The first Zoom session will be held on Sunday 26 May, with the course scheduled to finish in October 2024.  For more information please visit: HolyAnnunciation.net/Catechism.  To enrol, please visit: https://forms.gle/ce5DDCFxRitzuoAz6.

Metropolitan Nicholas writes: “Great Lent is approaching – a time set aside for delving into ourselves, for examining our lives, for repentance and correction. Great Lent is not only a time to refrain from certain types of food; it is a time for asceticism of the mind and senses, when we abstain from impure thoughts, separate ourselves from our habitual sins, entertainments, and harmful routines, when we fast, as St. John Chrysostom says, "with the mouth, the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of our bodies."  His letter can be read in full in English here and in Russian here.

On Saturday 16 March 2024 the parish rector appointed Olga Bogacheva, Matushka Marie Carles, and James Savage to be the new Child Safety Contact Persons for our parish.  By virtue of their appointment, the Child Safety Contact Persons also become members of the parish Pastoral Council.  The Pastoral Council, which is comprised of the rector and other parish clergy, the Child Safety Contact Persons, and other persons with knowledge or experience relevant to child participation and safety, supports child-related work in our parish.  More information concerning child safety in our parish is available here.

On Saturday 16 March and Sunday 17 March we had services for the Sunday of Forgiveness, the final preparatory Sunday for Great Lent.  Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land.  In his sermon at Divine Liturgy, the parish rector spoke about the key themes of the appointed reading from the Holy Gospel (Matthew 6:14-21): forgiving one another if we hope for God’s forgiveness, fasting joyfully, and storing up treasure in heaven. Vespers with the rite of asking forgiveness was served immediately after Divine Liturgy.  At the Sunday services the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michal Matys.

On Saturday 2 March and Sunday 3 March we had services for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, the second preparatory Sunday for Great Lent.  Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served at on Sunday morning.  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land.  In his sermon at Divine Liturgy, the parish rector spoke about the Parable of the Prodigal Son and preparation for Great Lent.

On the evening of Tuesday 27 February the Parish Council met by videoconference.  This was the second meeting of the Parish Council elected in December 2023.  The minutes of the January 2024 meeting were ratified, and the parish rector presented his usual report covering parish and Diocesan life, Orthodox life in Newcastle, and his own pastoral activity.  Brief reports were also presented by the Warden, the Treasurer, and the Head Sister.  Arrangements for a pancake evening on Friday 8 March, cashless payments in church, and waste disposal were discussed.  Importantly, a decision was made to formally engage a Central Coast-based firm, Beyond Space Residential Design, to develop a plan and undertake preparatory work for much-needed improvements to our church, amenities, hall, and grounds.  The Parish Council will next meet late in March 2024, again by videoconference.

Our Autumn 2024 Schedule of Services - covering March, April and May 2024 - is now available in digital format.  It includes all our services for Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha.  Our parishioners and friends are reminded that during Autumn 2024 we will have services on the first and third Sundays of each month and on other days as scheduled; we will return to our usual pattern of services on the second and fourth Sundays of each month during Winter 2024.  A copy of the English-language Autumn 2024 Schedule of Services is available here, and a copy of the Russian-language Autumn 2024 Schedule of Services is available here.  Printed copies are available in church as of the weekend of 24-25 February.

On Saturday 24 February and Sunday 25 February we had services for the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, the first preparatory Sunday for Great Lent.  Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At Divine Liturgy the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michal Matys and prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land.  In his sermon on Sunday the parish rector spoke about the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee (Luke 18:10-14), noting in particular a verse from the Matins canon: “Let us make haste to follow the Pharisee in his virtues and to emulate the Publican in his humility. And let us hate what is wrong in each of them: foolish pride and the defilement of transgressions.”

On Tuesday 2 April and Wednesday 3 April, the clergy of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese will gather in Sydney for their customary Great Lenten Pastoral Conference.  On Tuesday the clergy will meet at the church of All Saints of Russia, Croydon, for the Rule of Preparation for Holy Communion at 5.00pm and Lenten Matins and confession at 6.00pm.  On Wednesday from 8.00am the Hours and the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be served at Saints Peter and Paul Diocesan Cathedral, Strathfield, with Bishop George presiding and the clergy concelebrating.  Those of the faithful who have the opportunity to do so are encouraged to attend the service on Wednesday morning – smaller parishes like ours do not customarily have the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.  Those who wish to do so may – if properly prepared – receive Holy Communion.  Following Divine Liturgy the clergy will meet in the parish hall at Strathfield for lunch; to hear a number of short talks; and to discuss pastoral, liturgical and administrative matters.

On Saturday 10 February and Sunday 11 February we had services for the Thirty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of All Saints of Ekaterinburg, amongst whom are the Royal Martyrs of Russia and Venerable Symeon of Verkhoturye, the heavenly protector of our North Coast Mission.  Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At both services the parish rector served alone, Deacon Michal Matys having been invited to serve at the Cabramatta parish on the occasion of Bishop George’s visit.  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land.

On Saturday 27 January and Sunday 28 January we had services for the Thirty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of Venerable Paul of Thebes (+341 AD) and Venerable John Calabytes the Hut-dweller (+Fifth Cent.AD).  Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning.  At both services the parish rector served alone.  At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land.  In his sermon the parish rector spoke about Saint Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, the rules for Christian living set out in it, and the examples of Christian living provided by Saints Paul and John, the saints commemorated on this day.

In 2024 we will celebrate a number of major anniversaries in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Hunter Valley – 75 years since the first Russian Orthodox service on the Great Feast of the Dormition in Greta in 1949; 60 years since the consecration of our current church of Saint Nicholas; 30 years since the establishment of the Theophany parish in Mayfield, and 15 years since its closure; 40 years of service as a reader and subdeacon by Vitaly Lupish; and 20 years of service as a reader and subdeacon by Luke Goura.  We plan to mark these anniversaries with a hierarchical service and a festive lunch.  An important priority this year will be the finalisation and implementation of a ‘Master Plan’ for improvements to our church and grounds – our church porches need reconstruction, and we hope to improve our outside toilet facilities and lay better paving.  We will continue to support people visiting our parish with a desire to learn more about Orthodox Christianity.  This year new arrangements for the celebration of Pascha will commence – the midnight service will now alternate between the Gosford and Wallsend parishes from year to year, beginning with Wallsend.

On the evening of Tuesday 23 January the Parish Council met by videoconference.  This was the first meeting of the Parish Council elected in December 2023.  The minutes of the November 2023 meeting were ratified and the parish rector presented his usual report on parish life.  Office-bearers were reappointed to their roles and plans for the year ahead were reviewed and endorsed.  Plans were made to meet with an architectural firm in February 2024 to discuss improvements to our church, hall, and grounds.  The Parish Council will next meet on Tuesday 27 February 2024, again by videoconference.

On Thursday 18 January and Friday 19 January we had services for the Great Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Theophany).  All-night Vigil with the blessing of wheat, wine, oil and five loaves was served on Thursday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy with the Great Blessing of Water was served on Friday morning.  At both services the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michal Matys and at Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land. Following the blessing of water a brief moleben of thanksgiving was served for the benefits bestowed upon the faithful of Newcastle through the life and the work of the former Theophany parish (est.1994) in Mayfield, Newcastle, the remaining members of which joined our parish fifteen years ago, in 2009.  After the dismissal, ‘Eternal Memory’ was sung for the departed parishioners of the Theophany parish, and the parish rector congratulated the faithful on the occasion of the feast.  Some photographs taken on Friday morning can be viewed on the parish Facebook page.

On Saturday 13 January and Sunday 14 January we had services for the Thirty-Second Sunday after Pentecost, the Sunday before Theophany, the day of commemoration of the Circumcision of the Lord, and in honour of Saint Basil the Great (+379 AD).  Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday evening. At both services the parish rector was assisted by Deacon Michal Matys and prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Holy Land.  At Divine Liturgy we were joined by friends from the Central Coast, Sydney, and the Serbian Orthodox parish in Broadmeadow.  These were our first services for 2024.

In 2024 we hope to have services in the Port Macquarie area on 31 March (the Second Sunday in Great Lent) and 29 September (the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost) and in the Coffs Harbour area on 30 June (the First Sunday after Pentecost) and 29 December (the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers).  Our plans for this year involve acquisition of a number of items: a portable altar table and table of preparation; folding icon stands that are easier to store and move; a ‘pop-up’ iconostasis to give a better sense of church space in the secular halls that we are using for services; and candle stands that use sand and so are easier to clean.  We expect Howard Trott to be baptised in the first half of the year.  We will continue to grow our community and to gain the experience and resources necessary for more regular services.  Please keep us in your prayers!