(Source: Greek-Australia Vema – April 2012)

Australia’s headquarter Greek Orthodox Cathedral has been listed on the State Heritage Register, the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell announced. The listing of the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady coincides with Greek Orthodox Easter and National Heritage Week. The announcement was marked on Sunday April 15 at the end of the Easter Service alongside the Primate of the Church in Australia, His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos and other religious and community leaders.

“I am delighted to make this announcement as it is important that the State Heritage Register reflects the diversity of cultures that continue to contribute so much to the making of NSW. This Cathedral began life in 1848 as an Anglican Church and following World War II and the shift in the demographic of the region, it changed hands to the Greek Orthodox Church.

“Since then it has become the official seat of Greek Orthodoxy in Australia and became a focal point for the migrant community where Greek customs, traditions and language could be shared.

“It’s an important early ecclesiastical design by the acclaimed colonial architect, Edmund Blacket, and its Decorated Gothic style became one of the established architectural models for parish church construction throughout NSW.

“While the architecture is markedly different to the traditional style that normally denotes Greek Orthodox churches, the combination of the Byzantine iconography inside and the sandstone outside is a fitting symbol of the migrant experience”, the Premier stated.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has welcomed the listing, saying it’s a powerful gesture to the congregation. “It is the ‘heart’ of the church in Australia and this listing is broader recognition of the journey of the Greek Orthodox community as a whole,” His Eminence  Archbishop Stylianos said.

His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos with the NSW Minister for Disability Services, the Hon. Andrew Constance, Minister for Fair

Trading, the Hon. Anthony Roberts, and Minister for Citizenship and Communities the Hon. Victor Dominello

 (Source: Greek-Australia Vema – June 2012)

The Barry O’Farrell NSW Government has consolidated the view that the Estia Foundation of Australia, the mission of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese supporting young people with disabilities, is one of the finest institutions of its kind in Australia.

In a glowing appraisal of the quality service offered, the approval of a further 1.16 million dollars in recurrent funding to Estia through the Stronger Together phase 2 programme was announced on Friday 1st June in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia and President of the Estia Foundation, by the NSW Minister for Disability Services, the Hon Andrew Constance.

Also present at the historic announcement were the Minister for Fair Trading the Hon Anthony Roberts MP, the Minister for Citizenship and Communities the Hon Victor Dominello MP, members of the community formerly in residence whom the Foundation continues to

support, as well asMr Paul and Mrs Sophia Nicolaou, Mrs Metty Cassimatis, and the exceptional staff of Estia.

The Archbishop thanked the NSW Government “for the sensitivity demonstrated towards people with disabilities and especially for its acknowledgment that the Estia Foundation is now a recognised leader in the provision of quality service and a truly caring environment for people with special needs”. His Eminence expressed the gratitude of the Church to the three responsible Ministers present and also offered his heartfelt appreciation for the love extended to Estia by the thousands of faithful who support the Foundation so generously.

Commenting on the increase in recurrent funding, the indefatigable Managing Director of the Estia Foundation, Father Angelo Alifierakis, explained that “in addition to the existing centre-based respites and the current group home, this announcement means that Estia can now expand and establish two more permanent group homes for young adults with disabilities whose parents or primary carers can no longer care for them. It will enable them to live a more independent lifestyle as Estia will focus on the person-centered approach and individual needs”.

Father Angelo would like to acknowledge his two colleagues, the long serving Mrs Helen Tzikas (Administration Officer) and Mrs Katerina Formosa (Services Manager) for the dedication and perseverance in achieving this much needed outcome. As a result, with the assistance of Professor Angelo Candalepas, renowned award-winning architect, two new modern facilities for young people with disabilities will now be designed and built accordingly at Gladesville in Sydney. Each residence will house five people in each home. Each resident will have their own living quarters complete with ensuite, community access, within walking distance to shops and transport and 24-hour care.

The Minister for Disability Services, the Hon Andrew Constance, concluded by stating “The new villas are an example of the NSW Liberals and Nationals commitment to people with a disability through the implementation of Stronger Together 2, the Government’s five year, $2 billion strategy to reform disability support services.” In view of this development, it is timely to recall that when announcing the establishment of this crucial missionary effort of the Church in November 1994, His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos expressed the certainty that the Estia Foundation of Australia would become not only the umbrella organization for similar efforts in other States, but also the point of reference for the level of commitment and sacrifice required in order to serve young people with special needs.

The Vema of the Church congratulates Father Angelo and his dedicated team of co-workers at the Estia Foundation and looks forward to hearing more good news in the future.

“We swear you by Almighty God that in no way should you detract from the worth, greatness and importance of our reconciliation. Let not one empty and unverified word pass over your mouths. Let our reconciliation be an example for all the other Serbs, wherever they may live. Do not allow any one of us by our actions to hinder this common sanctity. Our reconciliation has just begun. We have planted a young seedling which we need to nurture and cherish as the apple of the eye that it may grow to the pride of all” (Metropolitan Iriney of New Gracanica – 19 February 1993).

During the past few weeks there appear a multitude of unverified, inaccurate and often malicious articles published on the internet related to the litigation in which the Serbian Orthodox Church is attempting to return to her fold the now usurped New Kalenich Monastery in Canberra.

In light of the same, the Metropolitan Executive Board of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand of the Serbian Orthodox Church desires to emphasise the following:

1. Management of the Property Trust of the New Kalenich Monastery claim to act in the name of the so-called “Free Serbian Orthodox Church”, but have absolutely nothing to do with the original Free Serbian Orthodox Church, which existed a few decades ago as a temporary result of misfortunate times and an even more misfortunate schism which had befallen the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The schism was liturgically overcome on the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, 15 February 1992, when the Liturgy of Reconciliation was concelebrated by Patriarch Pavle of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Metropolitan Iriney of New Gracanica, both now of blessed repose. In so doing, the New Gracanica Metropolitanate was established in place of the Free Serbian Orthodox Church and returned to the fold of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

2. The Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand of the Serbian Orthodox Church is the successor to the former Diocese for Australia and New Zealand of the New Gracanica Metropolitanate and the former Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. By decision of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church of 10th May 2011, the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand was established in place of the former two parallel Dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

3. The management of the Property Trust has usurped the New Kalenich Monastery and attempted to sever it from the Serbian Orthodox Church and Serbian faithful and cede it to the jurisdiction of a canonically unrecognised, so-called “True Orthodox Church of Greece”, into a myriad of internally rivalled factions known as the “Synod in Opposition” and the “Cyprianites”.

This “church” was created in 1984 in Greece, when a certain group of schismatics broke away from another schismatic group known as the “Auxentianites” and established the “Synod in Opposition”, as they continue to formally present themselves in public domain. This body is not in communion with the Orthodox Church.

4. Management of the Property Trust, under the aegis of that “True Orthodox Church of Greece” or, the “Synod in Opposition”, or the “Cyprianites”, have recently announced that they intend, in the New Kalenich Monastery Church of St Sava, on the very feast of Saint Sava, to enthrone as their “bishop” a certain Englishman, Ambrose Baird, a convert to “Orthodoxy” from London.

The Metropolitanate Executive Board once again underscores that the Church has brought forth this litigation with a heavy heart after management of the Property Trust refused to acknowledge that they had any obligation to hold the New Kalenich Monastery Church of St Sava for the Serbian Orthodox faithful. The Metropolitanate Executive Board reiterates that last year’s Assembly of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand issued an open invitation to this entire group to return with repentance to the Serbian Orthodox Church, which will gladly welcome and receive them.

The Metropolitanate requested the parties attend mediation in an effort to resolve the litigation. The management of the Property Trust resisted this initiative. The Court accepted the submission of the Metropolitanate and ordered the parties to attend mediation. The Metropolitanate participated in the mediation with the directors of the Property Trust in an effort to resolve the dispute and conclude the litigation.

Unfortunately, not only have all of our invitations to repentance, return and reconciliation with the Church been ignored or rejected; but now with the announced “enthronement” of Mr Baird as “bishop”, instead of their canonical Serbian Bishop, they have conclusively and publicly exposed their intention to permanently estrange the New Kalenich Monastery from the Serbian people and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

We continue to remain hopeful that the planners and organisers of this intended blasphemous gathering will, in the interim, return to their senses and give up on their intentions and further desecration of the New Kalenich Monastery, as well as return to the Orthodox Faith and the Serbian Orthodox Church. However, we remain equally resolved to defend and preserve with all our might the Serbian Orthodox Church and to fight for the right to the Monastery, which was built by Orthodox Serbs, to remain sacred to Orthodox Serbs.

7 December 2012
SYDNEY

With the conclusion of the year 2012, an entire Seven Year Period (a Sabbatical) closes of modest ministry and humble offering within the Sacred Metropolis of New Zealand and by extension to the entire Orthodox Church and People: “The gift is God’s so that none might boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). We glorify God for whatever good has occurred, and those occurrences are not few, and [for ourselves] “we boast in our weaknesses”, with the presumption that “we are unprofitable servants” and that “we have [only] done that which it was our duty to do”, (Luke 17:10).

And since our Sacred Metropolis of New Zealand is Ierapostolic (Missionary) not only are the criteria but also the manner of our offering ierapostolic which took place at the diverse occurrences of this sabbatical period.

The Ierapostole, the work of mission, of course, sets forth from the manner of our lives and with the manner with which we struggle for the disabling of evil and the prevailing of good both in our own selves and in the people who compromise the object of our efforts and of our love. All of us should correctly acknowledge Christ as our true God and Saviour, those of us who were instructed since we were small children as well as those who are till now ignorant of Him. “Christ is all in all”, (Col. 3:11).

The result of the efforts and actions of this Sabbatical which has passed is, we might say, satisfactory when we consider the broader knowledge of ourselves and the more intense knowledge of the presence of the Holy God in our lives, both for those of us who are serving in the field of Ierapostole as well as for all those whom we attempted to bring close to Christ and to the Orthodox Church, both in New Zealand and in the islands of the Pacific.

Holy Baptistries, Churches and Monasteries were built and many baptisms and weddings were celebrated and quite a few priests and monastics were ordained.

The greatest joy and satisfaction, especially in the Islands of Fiji, is owing to the fact that whatever occurred there began from zero and it happened with the blessing and help of Holy God whom we thank and glorify, and by the prayers and protection of our Panaghia[1] and of our Holy Saints, whom we also thank and glorify, and the tireless prayers of our Spiritual Father and Ecumenical Patriarch His All-Holiness Bartholomew for whom we also never cease to pray, that the Holy God will support him and bless both his thoughts and his actions.

Neither do we cease to thank all those who have helped and who now help us in our efforts and we pray that the Good God bless their life and their labour.

Blessed be the New Year 2013. May it be both peaceful and joyful for New Zealand, for Fiji, for Greece and for the entire world.

Metropolitan of New Zealand, Amfilochios

Author: Penni Pappas

Source: http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/box-hill-600000-to-build-new-centre

Published in Neos Kosmos English Edition Newspaper – Saturday 26 January

The Greek Orthodox Community of Box Hill and Districts has received a $600,000 grant from the Victorian Government to construct a new community centre for members, and the greater community of Box Hill. The grant was issued as part of the governments 2012-13 Major Capital Infrastructure grant under the category of the Cultural Precincts and Community Infrastructure Fund and will aid in the $3.3 million development of the Box Hill Cultural and Community Centre (BHCCC).

The BHCCC will be built at 84-86 Carrington Road, Box Hill and will include a preschool facility, a multi-purpose hall, a senior citizens hall, four new classrooms, upgraded kitchen facilities and 19 underground parking spaces.

George Kapnias, Secretary of Greek Orthodox Community of Box Hill and Districts, said the community undertook a master plan in 2011, to determine the requirement of the community members, and their sub-committess and axillaries, for the next 10-15 years. Through this, they discovered the need for a new facility to incorporate their needs and commissioned architect Mr Peter Darmos to create a schematic design of the facility.

Mr Kapnias told Neos Kosmos that the community researched available grants and through the support of local MP Mr Robert Clark, and Federal Member for Chisolm Ms Anna Burke, set about creating their submission to the government. He said the document, which exceeded 200 pages, detailed the history of the community, what they have done in a philanthropic sense, what their ongoing requirements were and what they are based on, and the architectural design of the facility. From this, the community were short listed, and on January 3 received the good news that their submission was approved.

Mr Kapnias said the submission was received favourably by a mission statement of the community to open up to the broader community of Box Hill and other ethnic groups.

“I think that was one of the reasons our grant was perceived so favourably … that this wasn’t about keeping the one acre of land that we own in the heart of Box Hill exclusive to the Greek precinct, but rather opening it up to be available to the broader public and other community groups,” he explains.
An example of this is with the four classrooms that will be created in the new centre. They will be used one night a week by the community to provide Greek language classes, but are available every other day for use by the broader community. Also the preschool will be available to all members of the Box Hill community, not just those with a Greek Orthodox background.

“We were quite adamant that should happen and we look forward to being able to invite the rest of Box Hill.”

Established in 1968, the Greek Orthodox Community of Box Hill and Districts is one of the longest running Greek Orthodox communities in the Eastern suburbs. Mr Kapnias said that through good financial management, the community “is in a position where it does not owe a cent, it has an asset portfolio conservatively valued at $15 million and has investments that produce passive income.

“As a result of this, the community is in a position to complete the time frame for the project by the end of the year, and begin building the centre in 2014 with a completion date of end of 2014.”

He says they are going to introduce computer classes for the elderly citizens group and Greek language classes for adults.
“The number of programs we are able to run at this facility will be extensive,” he concludes.

THE Greek Orthodox Church would never sweep abuse allegations under the carpet, a Victorian inquiry has heard.

The church has a rigorous process for dealing with misconduct complaints, including reporting criminal behaviour to police, but it has never been tested in an allegation of child sex abuse, the parliamentary inquiry heard on Friday.

Church groups The Salvation Army and the Jehovah’s Witnesses told the inquiry on Thursday they felt it was a victim’s responsibility to report abuse to police.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis said the church informed police when complaints of a criminal nature were made.

But there was no record of an abuse complaint having ever been made.

“The church would never seek to cover up or sweep under the carpet anything serious,” he said.

He said there may be a reluctance for people to come forward out of embarrassment or fear.

In other submissions the inquiry has heard, organisations’ records have been poorly kept and were incomplete.

The Greek Orthodox Church kept records of its clergymen and complaints against them, Bishop Iakovos said.

It has defrocked two ministers following investigations into complaints but neither related to child sex abuse.

In one case, a priest had been keeping the fees paid for marriage licences.

If a serious complaint was made the church would establish a board to investigate the claim, Bishop Iakovos said.

“If there is any criminal element the authorities are notified of course,” he said.

The parliamentary inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other organisations continues.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/greek-church-would-take-complaints-to-cops/story-e6frfku9-1226619419858#ixzz2QFUPYl00

Dearly beloved,

As you would have no doubt heard and been informed, Medical Science has in recent years developed worldwide the practice of “organ and tissue transplants” in the human body.

This is the honourable effort of Science to replace tissue or organs that have deteriorated, through the offering of caring donors, such that the recipients of this ‘gift’ are able to live, whereas they previously had no hope whatsoever.

We are all called, therefore, to support the practice of such transplants, and to encourage one another to become donors, thereby greatly assisting our suffering fellow human beings, especially as it is possible that we may be recipients in the future, depending on circumstances.

Our Church and our Archdiocese encourages the faithful to express their relevant interest, particularly now when the Australian Government has officially undertaken a strong ‘crusade’ for donors of organs and tissue. Other Christian Churches and denominations have also mobilised, together with the followers of other religions. It is not permissible for us Orthodox to be lacking in such a praiseworthy humanitarian initiative, given that we have the word of God as our guide and motto, which states: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

As a result, it would be good for us, whenever the circumstance for a transplant arises in our immediate environment, to seek the advice of specialist Doctors about what can be done, so that we are not indifferent or unmoved in the face of such a serious matter. It requires not only a sense of human solidarity, but also of respect towards both the donor and the recipient.

Thanking you warmly for your collaboration, I wish you all a peaceful and redemptive Holy Pascha.

In Sydney 17^th April, 2013

With deep fatherly love,

Archbishop STYLIANOS

Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia

EASTER MESSAGE 2013 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA

STYLIANOS

By the grace of God Archbishop of Australia to all the Reverend Clergy and devout faithful of our holy Archdiocese

Brother concelebrants and “illumined children of the Church”,

Once again, the grace of God, who is All-Good, has enabled us this year also to reach Holy and Great Lent and prayerfully experience the characteristic stations of prayer and fasting. This is just as our reverent Forefathers – who had “placed all things in good order” provided and established for us centuries ago.

And it is indeed true that, throughout the entire ecclesiastical year, there is no other period that is as rich in purifying and alternating services, as this blessed period.

What can one mention first, and what last, from this vast spiritual journey and feast? There are the: Sundays of the Triodion, the Saturdays dedicated to the Souls, the Salutations to theTheotokos, the divine Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, and the five Sundays of Lent, Palm Sunday and the astounding days of Holy Week with the awesome Passion and resplendent Resurrection of the Lord.

In this way, we arrive soundly at the morning of the Resurrection, during which the loving Mother Church speaks to all the faithful without exception with the words:

“Come receive the light from the unfading light, and glorify Christ who is raised from the dead.”

And of course, the illumination that each person will receive shall no doubt depend upon the willingness of each to respond to that invitation. However, precisely because the invitation is directed to all people, it must be stated unreservedly that it is not the subjective factor that introduces us to the redemptive process of the abolition of death. Rather, it is the all-accomplishing power of the God-Man Christ who by death trampled upon death.

The death and Resurrection of Christ are proclaimed by the Apostle Paul as the guarantee also of our own Resurrection, since our baptism in the name of Christ secures not merely an ethical improvement of our former life, but a radical renewal “through the glory of the Father”:

“Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:4)

Yet, if the Resurrection of Christ is for the Apostle Paul directly connected with the “glory of the Father”, for John the Evangelist our Resurrection is the fruit of God’s Love for the believer, a Love so powerful that it can even compel the sacrifice of the only-begotten Son:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3: 16)

To the risen Lord Jesus, who for all people died and rose, be all glory, honour and worship to the ages Amen!

EASTER 2013

 With fervent prayers in the Risen Christ

Archbishop STYLIANOS

Paschal Epistle of His Eminence, Hilarion,
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Your Eminences, fellow hierarchs, God-loving monks and nuns, priests and deacons, beloved in the Lord brothers and sisters!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

A wondrous energy lies hidden in these words and penetrates the whole soul: Christ is Risen! How joyous are these words for the soul of a Christian! Can more festive words than these be found in the entire human language? These joyous words were first uttered by the Angel to the Myrrh-bearers who had come to the life-bearing Tomb. With our mind’s eye we see Christ Resurrected and hear His sweetest words to the Myrrh-bearers: Rejoice! (Matt. 23:9). The Resurrected Lover of Mankind directs the same joyful greeting to us: Rejoice!

With Paschal jubilation I greet all of you with this radiant world-saving triumph of Christ’s Resurrection! Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice! May each one of you, partaking of the joy today of Christ’s Church, overcome the sorrows and crosses you bear in life; overcome the despondency due to personal sinfulness, and the temptations and scandals which surround us. With a breath of festive compunction let us and those around us partake of the many faceted mercies and blessings of this all-good and radiant celebration. For the Feast of Pascha is not just another ordinary festival or proclamation of resurrection; it is not a mere promise of life eternal for people; it is the triumph and victory over all grief and anguish, over all sorrow and sadness of this earthly life.

May this Paschal joy, this triumph of life reign throughout our Russian Church Abroad, in each parish, in each monastery, in each family, so that “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3), spoken of by the Apostle, may be visible within our church life. And may whatever transpires among us be peaceful, amicable, cordial and according to the precepts of the Church!

As St. John of Kronstadt expresses in his writings: “May our joy of the Resurrection be rational, deep, holy and dynamic. May it move us to greater love of the Resurrected One, to a life of holiness and mutual love.” Amen.

With Paschal joy in the Resurrected Christ and a request for your prayers,

+Hilarion,
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

Pascha 2013

BY THE GRACE OF GOD BISHOP OF THE METROPOLITANATE OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

Beloved monastics, clergy, all sons and daughters, faithful spiritual children of our Holy Church in Australia and New Zealand, from a paternal heart overflowing with Paschal joy, We greet all of you on this great and radiant Feast of Feasts exclaiming in the inspired words of Saint John Damascus:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

And truly, let us look round about and see, beloved, and let us rejoice boundlessly, for this most holy dawn has awaken. This dawn gives birth with it to the sun of a New Day and true freedom in Him who conquered death! Christ is risen and having assembled us, His children from the West and the North, from the South and the East, brought us joy so that we may more perfectly commune with Him in the unfading day of His Kingdom! This is the First Day of a New Creation beneath our ancient sky, one in which truth has again shone forth to gather that which was scattered and return it in the glory of His Resurrection from the dead!

Behold, life once again reigns and death no longer exists! Christ is risen and has taken our sorrow from us! He confirmed the indissoluble community of His truth and His love in Him who is Truth and Love! Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? (I Cor. 15:55). According to the words of the Holy Apostle, the sting of death is sin (I Cor. 15:56), and sin is found outside His community! Therefore we, as the Holy Mary Magdalene, the first witness of the living Christ, are invited to overcome ourselves and our selfishness and to hasten! We are invited to hasten and to share that blessed and all joyous news with others who suffer, who sorrow, and who are deprived of their God-given freedom!

With the heralding of the Edict of Milan in 313AD, the enlightened Roman Emperor, Saint Constantine the Great, by birth from Nish (Naissus) granted freedom to confess the Christian faith, and also freedom to all other religions. Sadly, even though 1,700 years have passed since then, we continue to be witnesses to the religious persecution of Christians and Christian minorities in many lands. So it is with our Serbian lands, and especially in Kosovo and Metohija. It is our duty, we who live in free countries, to confess the Resurrected Christ, to witness truth before the entire world. However, we must first ask ourselves are we, beloved, in unity with those who suffer? Are we truly in unity with our Mother Church and with the entire Orthodox Church?

For this reason, the great contemporary confessor of our Serbian generation, Saint Barnabas of Hvostna, clearly states – There is no sorrow to which sin is not the cause. Therefore, freeing yourself from sin means to be wedded unto joy! And being wedded unto joy is possible only in the unity of Him who defeated the last enemy of humankind – death, which had held us in the yoke of slavery. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, states the Apostle to the Gentiles (Gal. 5:1). Truly, every kind of persuasion against submitting to truth does not come from Him who calls us into His communion. Those who are of a different plan and rebel will have to pay the penalty, whoever they may be (cf. Gal. 5: 8, 10).

In the peace of Christ and in His unity our Holy Church throughout the world invites all peoples to gather. The Church is a sign that the Gospel speaks the truth! The Church is the Body of Christ, which inspired of the Holy Spirit makes Christ the community of love, compassion, comfort – the pure face of the Resurrected Christ. According to the teaching of Saint Maximus the Confessor, in all that we do God seeks an objective . . . let us have as an objective not the pleasing of people, rather pleasing God, so that beholding Him always, doing all for Him, that we do not undertake an effort and loose the reward (Book III of 100 Texts, On Love, No. 48).

Therefore, with the plenitude of Christ’s Holy Church, from the West and the North and the South and the East, our firm community and sure source of our freedom, truth and love, let us from all our heart exclaim:

CHRIST IS RISEN!
TRULY, HE IS RISEN!

Bookings are now available for all our Parishes and Communities throughout Australia

OFFICIAL OPENING

His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos will officially open the Bribie Island Retreat and Recreation Centre on 1^st October 2013 in the presence of Federal, State and Local politicians together with other official guests and our youth from around Australia.

This exciting and highly anticipated event will be part of the 10^th Annual Youth Conference to be held in Brisbane.  The Conference will commence on Sunday 29 September and finish on 1 October with the official opening of the Youth Centre at Bribie Island.

YOUTH EVENTS – Centre’s first events

Before this official opening a historic and busy four days between 28 June and 1 July will take place at the Centre. There will be three major events to mark the first use of the Bribie Island Retreat and Recreation Centre.  Educators will be the first to benefit with a two day retreat and workshop aimed at nurturing their emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being.  Teaching is a high stress profession, especially for those who juggle professional lives with family responsibilities.  We trust that the practical nature of this retreat will benefit delegates in both their professional and personal lives.  It is hoped to expand this event to an annual feature of the Bribie calendar for Orthodox educators, locally and nationally.  Mother Kallistheni, our guest for this weekend, will be the keynote speaker providing reflections on “Education as a Personal Spiritual Journey”.

On June 30 the site will host a Community Open Day with a Divine Liturgy and family fun activities. Following the Liturgy the accommodation cabins will be open for inspection and there will be dancing performances and displays in the community hall.  A highlight of the day will be the “1000 Helping Hands” beach chain.  This event will highlight the potential “miracles” that can occur when a whole community rallies together for a cause, in this case “Our Youth”.  All are welcome.

The Centre’s operational start date is 1 July.  This milestone of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese will be celebrated with a youth excursion for teenagers and young adults with events planned at the Centre and on the beach.

BOOKINGS  & DONATIONS REQUIRED

Bookings are now available for all our Parishes and Communities throughout Australia.   With the completion of construction only weeks away, the Committee continues to seek financial support to furnish and fit out the Centre with essential equipment in its kitchen and community hall as government funding only covers the construction.  Please support this project and help generations to come.  Donations to the Building Fund are tax deductible.

For more information, please refer to our website: www.gobribieisland.org or become a Facebook friend. Bookings are now available.  Contact Helen Passaris (07)  3349 7647  

Author: Stella Tzobanakis

Published: Brimbank Leader Newspaper, 28 May 2013

(Syndicated in Herald-Sun Newspaper – 28 May 2013)

A CENTURIES old religious tradition was cut short because a Sunshine church could not afford a hefty council bill.

The annual night-time Good Friday procession on May 3 at St Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Church in Armstrong St was shorter than usual because the church could not afford the $4000 permit needed for parishioners to walk around the church block.

The church says changes to Brimbank Council’s road closure permit requirements, largely for occupational, health and safety reasons, were behind the decision.

Sunshine resident Suzana McNaughton said the procession, which sees worshippers follow a symbolic coffin of Christ around the church block, “ended before it started”, causing confusion, anger and disappointment.

Church priest Father Ioannis Demertzidis said it was the first time in the church’s 45-year history the walk had been cut short.

He described it as “an attack on religious freedom”.

Mrs McNaughton said the ritual was a tradition in her family, with her mother taking her to the event at the same Sunshine church, since she was a little girl. It was the first time Mrs McNaughton had taken her son Harrison, 3.

“It was a disappointment and it was also a bit sad that we kind of lost that tradition,” she said.

Mrs McNaughton said instead of mourning the death of Christ, the conversation about public liability erupted among the crowd.

“The tradition of walking around the block has taken place by Greek Orthodox followers around the world for centuries and nothing has stopped it not war, politics or plague nothing until the Brimbank Council,” she said.

Church committee member Bill Lascaris said the changes meant it would have cost the church up to $4000 to walk the usual procession route, incorporating Glengala Rd.

Instead, the church paid about $900 to walk up and down Armstrong St.

He said the committee would consider an alternative route next year, but the church would need to raise the money.

Brimbank Council acting director city development Stuart Menzies said traffic management for night processions was the only change that has been made to road closure permits.

Mr Menzies said Victoria Police advised the council they would no longer support night processions without full road closures.

He said the plan would have required trained traffic controllers and this had driven up the cost.

COMMENTS ON THIS STORY

Chris from St Albans. Posted at 11:28 AM May 28, 2013

Brimbank City Council exists to employ the staff who work for it between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. It is literally not there and is never there to serve the cultural or amenity interests of its residents, who come home from work to live in the council’s absence between 5:00 PM and 8:30 AM! If the staff had been sacked along with the former councillors, they would not have been missed!

A Rizili Posted at 1:33 PM May 28, 2013

Police will not attend at night because they have made a judgement that this is not important. As usual public safety is being used as an excuse. As for the Council they have just successfully shifted an insurance risk onto a charity. Very disappointing from both the police and council.

Theo Karapanagiotidis of Sunshine Posted at 6:23 PM May 28, 2013

Even the charge of $900 was excessive and unwarranted considering the council nor police were used to allow the shortened procession to go ahead. The decision to introduce such steep charges without consultation seems to be more of a money grab than anything else. It is surely a sad day when The Brimbank council could not facilitate or support a tradition in Sunshine that has peacefully coexisted in the community since the 1970′s

Sunshine Local Posted at 7:23 PM May 28, 2013

This article incorrectly states the location of this parish is Sunshine. It is actually located in West Sunshine. A different suburb.

Penny Stansfield of Melbourne Posted at 9:06 PM May 28, 2013

Wow. After all these years and Greeks still cant get a break!! I notice in this so called multicultural country of ours only minority groups get a helping hand. I am sick to death of the harassment at Easter – how many Easters have we celebrated in this country and NOW they want to crack down on a religious and cultural event. That’d be right after all, its not like the Aussie culture – oh that’s right, THERE ISNT ONE!!!! Next year we should cycle around the block for Easter. Lets face it, they happily close roads for sporting events, consider this our sport!!!

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/west/council-fees-cut-short-traditional-easter-procession-in-sunshine/story-fngnvmj7-1226651512795

“We are indifferent, slothful and complacent when it comes to maintaining our privileges but when faced with adversity, the Greek community invariably rises to the occasion“.

Every year, our Good Friday Epitaphios procession, which winds itself before the looming sinisterness of the Moonee Ponds branch of the Tax Office, past the local Safeway into the street behind the church, is, unbeknownst to many parishioners, accompanied by a discreet group of Assyrians. The reason for this is that, owing to the intolerance of their Muslim Arab oppressors and well founded fears of attack, the Good Friday Epitaphios procession had to be discarded and is no longer carried out. The loss of the procession is felt keenly, and the Assyrians that join our procession rejoice in the fact that, in this country at least, they are free to do so. For the rest of us, who have taken the procession for granted for centuries, it forms an intrinsic part of our identity, so much so that it is perhaps the only night in the year that even the most disengaged of Greeks will make the pilgrimage to their local church, there to clock on, as a member of the community. It is this celebration and affirmation of identity that gives the Epitaphios its unique jubilant and triumphant tone, here in Australia, as opposed to the traditional solemnity of its Greek counterpart. As such, it is a particularly Australian procession and a Melburnian institution, as is also evidenced, at least in my parish, by the number of non-Orthodox local residents who await its passage outside their homes every year, often holding candles of their own.
Recent reports in this newspaper suggest that the word ‘free’ is not to be conjoined to the Epitaphios procession for much longer. The revelation that local councils can and do charge our churches thousands of dollars in order to grant permits or effect traffic management along the route of the procession has caused outrage and bewilderment among members of the Greek community. Further bewilderment has been caused by intimations that in the event of an extension of the current ‘user pays’ system, rather than pay, and in the absence of other alternatives, the procession will be dropped altogether.
If the carbon tax is about taxing the air we breathe, or rather, produce, then the Epitaphios tax is about taxing the God we worship. It is a levy that casts doubt over our governmental authorities’ commitment to multiculturalism and in fact, constitutes a primary example as to how definitions can shift over time. Rather than being a doctrine whereby the state actively encourages and subsidises the practices of local cultures and religions according to the belief that these enrich the fabric of Australian society, it appears on the surface that we are moving to a system where if we wish to practice those customs or beliefs, we had better be ready to pay for them.
Various local councils’ uncharitable stance on this issue appears as misguided as it is insulting. Greek Australians have a high rate of property ownership and are conscientious rate-payers. Rather than creating immense good will within the local community by subsidizing the relatively small cost of a yearly religious procession that is of no more than a half hour in duration, councils would rather convert this, along with so many other practices, into a money-making opportunity. This appears to be an act of blatant disrespect towards a community that has contributed so much to the formulation of modern Australian society. Further, it is divisive and dangerous, in that it compels us to ask questions as to the extent to which the festivities of other ethnic and religious minorities are funded by councils and, should the comparison be unfair, cause unneeded friction. For example, Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches particularly amongst other Christian denominations also have similar processions; on Good Friday they have the Stations of the Cross along Elizabeth and Swanston Streets, from St Francis, to St Paul’s, and St Patrick’s, for over an hour, around midday. It is unknown to what extent these need to be subsidized by the churches themselves.
One would be forgiven at being in a quandary as to how such a situation can come to pass, especially for a community that, numerically at least, here in Melbourne, is supposed to be significant. Do we not have local councillors of Greek extraction in many local councils of our city? Do we not have Greek Australian state and federal members of parliament? The answer lies not in representation in parliament but the failing structure of our community as a coherent entity. While organisations created based on one’s regional origin abound in Melbourne, few organisations exist based on the interests of local Greek residents in a given area. Where these do exist, they are generally weak, poorly organised, riven with strife, unrepresentative of the Greeks in the local community and unable to be seen by local authorities as an important sounding board with regard to the interests of the local Greeks. Add to this mix the general disengagement and non-participation of other local Greek organisations in local affairs and one can see why local councils cease to regard the feelings of local Greeks as important, on a political level, when conducting their affairs.
One could envisage a totally different outcome if, to take Saint Andreas parish, which is in the City of Brimbank, for example, the parishioners and the rest of the many Greeks who reside within the council’s bounds indicated that they would not pay their rates on time and further, would not vote for any of the current councillors in the next local elections. To do this however, one needs to be capable of concerted action, and this is what is severely lacking within our community. Yet, as Victorian member of parliament John Pandazopoulos points out, the fault may be our own: “Brimbank Council has an appointed Government Administrator and NO elected representatives. I haven’t heard it to be a problem in other areas. The things that I often hear though is that local churches put their paperwork in late in order for council by laws officers and local police to give appropriate permits and to plan for safety. If there are costs where Council may have a user pays policy there are often Council grants for community events to offset costs. I also understand that the vast majority have no problems.”
Ange Kenos, who was a councillor for Moonee Valley, agrees: “I would have thought that a sensible organiser would have raised the matter with councils months ago. I was on Moonee Valley council and not one local priest approached me for advice or support.” At Saint Dimitrios in Moonee Valley, the procession took place without the need for payment as it does every year. It is unknown why Panagia Soumela, also in the city of Moonee Valley, did not secure a permit.
This being an election year and a particularly important one considering that the current government’s hold on power is on a knife edge, it would be useful to convert this into a federal matter, with local parishioners seeking the intervention of their members of parliament as a quid pro quo. Yet again, the eternal question is raised: who will speak on our behalf and are we prepared to act as one to protect our privileges? Further, before we remain with the proverbial mud on our faces, why are we not being more proactive on this issue and attempting to secure permits on time?
Whatever the outcome, one thing becomes starkly clear. We cannot rely upon our local, state, federal or even parish authorities to safeguard our cultural or religious interests ad infinitum. All these, it becomes apparent, are negotiable and are not an automatic entitlement, as many of us have been led to believe. While government assistance is welcome and necessary, if any remnant of belief is to remain in the cynically manipulated term ‘multiculturalism,’ it is our community and not just one section of it that must develop the structures and resources to protect such privileges when state patronage is, for whatever reason, withdrawn.
A community that is so vast and yet cannot, if absolutely pressed to do so, raise a few thousands in order to perpetuate age old customs, is a mere parody of itself. To have to raise thousands in order to walk around the block is ridiculous. To not be able to raise it, in the absence of any other alternative and after a century in this country, is an abject failure, for which we should be ashamed. This is why the indication to this newspaper by various circles that where permits will not be granted gratis, the Epitaphios parade will not take place is deeply disturbing. We would not want this to suggest that our adherence to our traditions is proportional to the extent to which we are willing to pay for them. Furthermore, one would not wish to ask who would be consulted when making the determination that the Epitaphios parade will not take place in a given parish and when, or whether this will take place only after extensive attempts at fundraising, in consultation with parishioners and the community at large, or again, whether the decision be an arbitrary one. Finally, we need to ask how is it possible on one hand to proclaim that we as a community must adhere to our religious customs and traditions and on the other hand, even consider the thought that the single annual event that unites Greeks across the spectrum could be abolished owing to an unwillingness to pay for it, without even mentioning the possibility of organising a campaign to preserve it.
We are indifferent, slothful and complacent when it comes to maintaining our privileges but when faced with their ultimate effacement, the Greek community invariably rises to the occasion. In this, an election year, where a referendum question on recognising local councils in our constitution will also be added to the ballot, let us unite to ensure we are provided with the appropriate guarantees that our freedom of religion will be respected in accordance with the principles of multiculturalism. This procession, which has its origins in the luminous services that took place in Jerusalem where all the pilgrims would gather and was attested by the pilgrim nun Aetheria as early as the 4th century, must not be lost either through council insensitivity or ecclesiastical laxity and defeatism. Melbourne without an Epitaphios procession will be invariably the poorer for it, in fact, not to be countenanced. Let us discard the mantle of defeatism and indifference lest we, in the very near future, become the bearers of the Epitaphios of our own cultural diversity.

*Dean Kalimniou is a Melbourne solicitor and freelance journalist.

The Episcopal Assembly of Oceania solemnly marked the 1,700th Anniversary of the issuance of the Edict of Milan by the Roman Emperor St Constantine the Great in 313 AD with the Pan-Orthodox celebration of Great Vespers for Feast of Sts Constantine and Helen on Monday evening, 20 May 2013.

This special Inter-Orthodox commemoration was hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of Sts Constantine and Helen in Newtown, New South Wales on the eve of their Patronal Feast. Presiding over the service of Great Vespers was His Eminence Metropolitan Paul of the Antiochian Orthodox Patriarchate, in the presence of Their Graces Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias and Iakovos of Miletoupolis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, assisted by a multitude of priests and deacons from the various canonical Orthodox jurisdictions in Australia.

A magnificent array of Orthodox liturgical chant was sung in a variety of national traditions and languages with responses offered by the Orthodox choirs and chanters of the Greek, Antiochian, Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches.

This year of the Lord’s goodness was given us a rare and true celebration: it has been given us to celebrate 1,700 years since the day when the Providence of God spoke through the Holy Emperor Constantine and freedom and empowerment were given to the Christian faith. This is truly a special year and a special jubilee. For the Holy Emperor Constantine was no ordinary Roman Emperor, like the others. His victory was not a victory like others. For his Edict was no ordinary imperial decree by which someone, through secular power, is forced to obey mere authority. On the contrary: it was all special and blessed, it was all so significant and great that even today we celebrate the light which shone forth with the Edict of Milan in 313 and with the great deed of the glorious Constantine, the convener of the First Ecumenical Council. For all Orthodox Christians, as well as all Christians and our friends from other faiths who grasp the significance of the Edict of Milan: may this spiritual joy and celebration multiply throughout the Oikoumene!

The first bilingual Greek Day School in Australia, established in 1979 in Melbourne, announced the appointment of the new board

St John’s Greek Orthodox College has elected its new board of directors.

The first bilingual Greek Day School in Australia, established in 1979 in Carlton, Melbourne, announced the appointment of the new board, with the co-chairs of the school being Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis and Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, while the secretary and director position went to Presvytera Stavroula Zoumboulis.

Director of finance is Christos Batzios, while director of risk management is Chris Koniditsiotis. Vasilis (Bill) Giavris is the director of legal and compliance and Assistant Finance Director is George Souris. The College’s director is Andreas Georgiou.

The new Board is in the process of undertaking a series of initiatives and reviews which will be announced in the next few weeks. The aim of these initiatives will be to ensure growth, improved outcomes, excellence in education and student success.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS OF HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP STYLIANOS

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In commencing the Proceedings of our 11^th Clergy-Laity Congress, we first of all offer a heartfelt doxology to God who is praised in Trinity, for enabling us all to meet together once again, in order to make a common evaluation and analysis of our Church matters in general. Following this, we greet and welcome the Representatives (both Clergy and Laity) of our Parish-Communities throughout Australia – and above all His Eminence, our Brother and Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – together with the Official Guests at this Clergy-Laity Congress, while thanking all and wishing you a pleasant stay and participation in the Proceedings as well as in the related functions.

We should note that the delay of one year with which this Clergy-Laity Congress is being held is due to the known difficulties that faced the health of the speaker which, by God’s grace, have been overcome to the point that allows us fortunately to continue our blessed collaboration without hindrance.

Once again, a Biblical verse has been chosen as our theme, and this year’s one, from the Epistle to the Hebrews, was selected both as a ‘wake-up call’ to deal with the great responsibility and arduous work of the Congress, as well as a highly indicative expression of the means available to all of us, to conduct the sacred struggle that the Church undertakes at all times in the world to fulfill its divine purpose. For, as one can appreciate, holy enthusiasm to act is not enough. Rather, before and all else, is the realisation of the astounding fact that the task of the Church is always conducted with direct reference to God the Word Incarnate, Who not only inspires as “Author”, but also completes each task as “Perfecter”. This is the very reason for which the Fathers of the early Church did not hesitate to use the fitting description of the Church as “Christ prolonged throughout the ages” (Christus prolongatus).

We need however to observe straightaway that both “faith” and “endurance” are not mentioned here generally and vaguely, as two powers of the soul according to the current notion of the “inner psyche” of the secular person.

Faith in Jesus Christ, as the one who inspires and at the same time blesses the struggling person, equates to unceasing prayer. And we know that such faith is even able to “move mountains” (1 Cor. 13:2).

The “endurance” of our Biblical passage cannot be considered as a kind of tolerance or passive stance vis-à-vis the harsh conditions of this life, but in fact as the complete opposite of this. “Endurance” literally means the unwavering decision of the struggler to continue to fight the good fight, under any conditions, remaining firm and unshakeable, and this because he or she knows that time works in one’s favour. The Monks of Mt Athos have recognised the intense dynamism of “endurance” in an entirely experiential way, stating for this reason that they need “many endurances” throughout all their efforts and spiritual struggles!

Yet, we must admit that the full meaning of the Biblical passage can only be properly understood if we take into consideration the previous half verse from chapter 12 of the Epistle to the Hebrews, where it states very characteristically:

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us…”

With this vital addition, it becomes clear that the faithful who struggle must realise that they are not alone, since they are accompanied by a cloud of Witnesses to the Faith. Being strengthened by them, the faithful are able to overcome every ‘hurdle’ and difficulty, thereby also avoiding sin, in which one can so easily be carried away.

Following these necessary points of clarification made by way of introduction, we shall now attempt to present a series of the most significant developments which ‘sealed’, so to speak, the image of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia from the time we held the 10^th Clergy-Laity Congress, namely from January 2008 until today.

*(A.) The most significant events over the past four years

In previous Keynote Addresses, we had presented, almost in chronological order, the establishment of new Churches, Schools and other Institutions of common benefit, as well as the expansion of older ones and their staffing with corresponding personnel.

However, from the 10^th Congress onwards, it was considered necessary – given that the above basic needs have now been met – for the Keynote Address of the Archbishop to draw the attention of the Delegates to the quality of the work that is undertaken. That is to say, to the functioning of the institutions in each locality. Accordingly, during the 10^th Clergy-Laity Congress, the Keynote Address presented an extensive analysis of the importance and inviolability of the Institutions of the Synod, without which it is impossible to even speak about the Church.

*At this 11^th Congress, the Keynote Address must mention above all the elimination of the schismatic divisions which had prevailed in our two biggest States, namely Victoria and New South Wales, bringing a ‘new wind’ to our community affairs as a result. For, while the numbers of persons involved with these schismatic groups was, in both cases, almost negligible in comparison to the vast multitude who follow the Canonical Church of the Archdiocese, the customary propaganda created, over several decades, misleading impressions in Australia, as well as in Greece and overseas generally.

In Melbourne, the Old Community, which had promised in writing to maintain all the conditions of their agreement to return to the Archdiocese during the days of the late Archbishop Ezekiel, did not unfortunately put any of this into practice. This was the case until, approximately one year ago, a new administration won the election, with solicitor Bill Papastergiadis as the new President wasting no time in restoring honourable collaboration with the Archdiocese, and this was welcomed by almost everyone.

A contributing factor to this favourite outcome must have been the preceding eradication of the schism of the Commnity of St George in Hobart, Tasmania, that had appeared for a brief time. To achieve this, its new President John Fiotakis, a member of the younger generation, worked honourably with the Archdiocese. With reconciliation, not only did the Community Church of St George return to the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese, but also the magnificent Anglican Church of Holy Trinity (which had to be sold by its Trustees, as often happens), was offered to us for sale on very friendly terms for a symbolic sum. In this way, we acquired a Parish Church in the most prominent point of Hobart. Father Timothy Evangelinidis was appointed accordingly to that church, while formerly schismatic Father Panagiotis Nikolakos was ordained and appointed to St George, and there is good cooperation between them.

Mention should be made here of the astute handling of the entire matter by the Archdiocese through His Grace Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis and Mr Kon Kontis, President of the Parishes/Communities of Victoria, who on his accord hastened to pay for this purchase in memory of his Parents.

The Old Greek Orthodox Community of Sydney and New South Wales, which had broken away in 1972, was a much more difficult case, as the discussions for reconciliation that had commenced some 20 years ago during the author’s term of office, proved fruitless. Fortunately, just over a year ago, through the praiseworthy initiative of the Administrative Committee chaired by solicitor Mr Harry Danalis, with the approval of 78.3% of the members at the General Meeting, together with the appropriate love and understanding of the Archdiocese (which was appreciated by all), the long-desired union was achieved.

In this way, everyone rejoiced at seeing the joint celebrations of the national Anniversaries of 28^th October and 25^th March.

It must be mentioned here also that the six-member Committee that conducted the discussions, under the chairmanship of His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Appollonias, worked with the utmost care and wisdom (the Committee was served, on behalf of the Community, by President Mr H. Danalis, Secretary Mr M. Tsilimos and Mr C. Belerhas, while on the part of the Archdiocese were His Grace Bishop Seraphim and Legal Advisers Mr Michael Diamond and Mr Nicholas Pappas).

*The next topic is the festive celebration, in 2011, of the 25^th Anniversary since the establishment of St Andrew’s Theological College and, with that blessed occasion, the Election and Ordination of the first Australian-born Bishop, His Grace Iakovos (Tsigounis) of Miletoupolis. We should note, in addition, that approximately 10 Clergymen have been ordained and appropriately appointed in the past 4 years.

With regard to the program of studies in our Theological College, we should say that efforts have been made to always maintain the traditional four-year cycle of purely theological studies. However, in addition to this, various other courses of intensive study specialising in practical theology have been introduced, together with distance education via the internet.

Special mention must be made of the annual Patristic Symposia of the Theological College held in September, whereby the life and theological contribution of some of the greatest Fathers of the early Church are examined individually each year.

Until now, the three great Cappadocian Fathers (Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and Gregory of Nyssa) have each been presented, while last September the theme of the Symposium was Athanasios the Great. It needs to be underlined that the speakers at the Symposium were not limited to the academic staff of our College, but that they also included researchers of international repute from other countries and universities, both men and women. In this way, it became possible to increase our annual theological journal PHRONEMA to two volumes per year, as the second one now includes papers from the Patristic Symposia.

A further successful expansion of the work of our Theological College is the grant we received, quite unexpectedly, from the Federal Government for $1.9 million. This came following our presentation to Mr Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure, of our plan from years ago to construct facilities at Bribie Island – close to Brisbane, and next to the already erected Chapel of the Mother of God – for special Youth Conferences and recreational camps, but also for popular lessons in Orthodox spirituality. The relevant grant was announced, on behalf of our Prime Minister Julia Gillard, during the celebrations for Greek Independence Day of 25^th March, by the mentioned Minister Albanese.

A grant of similar magnitude ($2 million) was announced personally several days earlier by Ms Gillard at the Greek ANTIPODES Festival of the Old Community in Melbourne.

*A new leap forwards is expected for our St Basil’s Homes in Sydney as, in the near future, an enormous complex will be constructed in the area of Randwick in order to meet the great demand that has grown for some years now. More important, however, is the fact that the new CEO Fr Nicholas Stavropoulos, who succeeded the ‘veteran’ and already retired Protopresbyter Fr John Kapetas, very soon became worthy of our expectations and needs, with the brotherly assistance of Fr J. Kapetas, especially in tasks such as confession and Public Relations.

With similar admiration and pride in the Lord we have also observed for years now the highly innovative work that is developing, under the wise leadership of Mr Theo Bacalakis and his team, based in Cairns, North Queensland. Under the name ‘St John’s Community Care’ every need and deprivation of today’s fellow citizens are dealt with in a highly philanthropic way, by our blessed Parish of St John the Baptist, despite the fact that there are no more than 200 Greek Orthodox families in the region. Let it be noted that the new community care centres are continually being added in cities throughout north Queensland, always with the strong funding of the State and Federal Governments, who monitor the observance of all Regulations with great vigilance.

Just a few months ago, after Easter, we officially opened the newest such centre in the city of Innisfail

*In Inter-Orthodox relations, we saw the introduction three years ago of the so-called ‘Episcopal Assembly’, following a proposal of the 4^th Pan-Orthodox Pre-Synodical Meeting to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

This is a Synaxis of Bishops, called once a year in various geographic regions of the world by each Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is understood to be concerned with the problems of the ‘Orthodox Diaspora’, in order for the task of the forthcoming Holy and Great Pan-Orthodox Synod to be prepared for appropriately, and so that it can meet as soon as possible.

Yet, a Synaxis of Bishops, which is not named and not considered a ‘Synod’, is for Orthodox Ecclesiology a completely incomprehensible institution. Consequently, the writer presented to the Ecumenical Patriarchate without hesitation, not only his reservations and concrete fears arising from the formation of this unprecedented body, but also the various forms of harm that the Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as ex officio co-ordinator and chairman of the Episcopal Assembly, would primarily be exposed to.

At any rate, the ‘Episcopal Assembly’ is clearly a direct borrowing from the Roman Catholic church, after Vatican II, wherein there is a harmonious collaboration of Bishops and general disciplined behaviour towards one another is assured by the very nature of papal primacy. In our context, however, there is complete immunity and chaos among the Orthodox Diaspora.

Not withstanding this, and despite the problems that could arise from the annual ‘Episcopal Assembly’, we considered that it would not be prudent to avoid it, and so the Episcopal Assembly of ‘Canonical Orthodox Bishops of Oceania’ has already been convened three times, in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. It should be added that neither the members of the Assembly, nor the ‘canonicity’ of each, could be evaluated with precision from the outset, without the existence of a common criterion that is accepted by all. Consequently, we should acknowledge that the value of the mentioned Body is mainly limited to mutual acquaintance in person and to the sharing of information between the various jurisdictions. In so doing, they will be in a better position to offer their respective surroundings the witness of a unified Orthodox presence.

*(B.) Acknowledgements and Thanksgiving

Following this brief presentation of the developments in the life of our Archdiocese that have taken place between January 2008 and the present, I consider it my duty to thank and warmly congratulate my honourable and God-pleasing co-workers in the overall task of our Archdiocese. I would also like to wish each person every blessing from God, for the continuation of our joint effort to the glory of God and the service towards His people.

First of all, then, I express my grateful thanks to the venerable Centre in Phanar, Constantinople, particularly His All Holiness our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, for the brotherly understanding and assistance given by all means and at all times. Next I would like to thank my four Assistant Bishops, Their Graces Ezekiel of Dervis, Seraphim of Apollonias, Niandros of Dorylaion and Iakovos of Miletoupolis, together with my Personal Secretary the Very Reverend Archimandrite Kyrillos Zissis, and all who serve in the central offices of our Archdiocese and our Theological College, men and women, clergy and lay people.

I especially thank the members of the Archdiocesan Council, and our Legal Advisers, with whom collaboration has become so necessary on a daily basis.

It is self-evident that sincere acknowledgement and related gratitude of the humble speaker, as your spiritual Shepherd, is owed to all our Clergy and lay people serving around Australia (whether in Parish-Communities and Holy Monasteries or various charitable institutions and other ecclesiastical organisations).

I would like to especially thank our Official Guests: the Patriarchal Representative His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, His Eminence Metropolitan Evgenios of Rethymnon, Professor Nicholas Xexaks, diplomatic representatives of Greece headed by the Ambassador to Australia Mr Haralambos Dafaranos, the representative of our State Government and Minister for Tourism the Hon. George Souris, other representatives of Australian authorities and organisations, as well as all our institutional colleagues in the daily struggle for Truth and Justice, together with the representatives of the media and youth in the Antipodes.

Finally, I would like to thank most warmly the Organising Committee of this Clergy-Laity Congress under the tireless Chairmanship of the Vicar-General His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias, and the Parish-Community of St Spyridon for hosting all of us once again, together with all our Parishes and Communities who collaborated so well, those who supported the event financially, and all generally who have contributed in any way to the success of our Clergy-Laity Congress that now commences with many blessings. Amen.

Translated from the original Greek by DK

RESOLUTIONS OF THE 11^TH CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESS

The 11^th Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, convening in Sydney from the 20^th – 23^rd January 2013 under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos and in the presence of His Eminence Nicholas of Detroit USA representing His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod of Constantinople, as well as the invited guests of the Archdiocese, His Eminence Metropolitan Evgenios of Rethymnon and Avlopotamos, Crete, in the presence also of His Excellency the Ambassador for Greece in Canberra and His Excellency the High Commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus, with the participation of the Clergy and Laity serving the Parishes-Communities, Organisations and Institutions of the Archdiocese unanimously votes:

*1. That it remains steadfastly devoted, with the deepest respect of our Clergy and Laity, to the Most Sacred and Martyric Ecumenical Throne and to its Prelate, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and the Holy and Sacred Synod of Constantinople.

*2. That it concurs with and supports completely the genuine efforts of His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, with his executive co-workers, for the preservation of the inviolable rights of the Great Church of Christ over the centuries. In stating this, we do not refer only to the title  ‘Ecumenical’ which is, at any rate, internationally recognised, nor only to the re-opening of the renowned and historic Theological School of Halki. We also refer to the inviolability of all freedoms to which the Greek community in Turkey, together with its institutions and all of its properties, is entitled.

*3. That it is closely following the continuing financial crisis in Greece, and endorses the initiatives of its Prime Minister Mr Andonis Samaras and the coalition of the governing political parties, while wishing a rapid financial recovery and stating that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia will continue to offer moral and material assistance toward our sisters and brothers who are suffering.

*4. That it expresses ain for the yet unresolved solution to the Cyprus problem which has continued for decades, and supports the just struggle of the Church and State of Cyprus.

*5. That it is deeply concerned with and protests the continued captivity behind bars of His Eminence Archbishop John of Ochrid (of the Serbian Orthodox Church), which is a dnial of human rights and religious freedom, as resolved at the Episcopal Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops held in October 2012, under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos.

*6. That it greets the participation in this Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Community of Sydney and New South Wales, which has recently returned to the canonical Church, and send a message of unity to the few schismatic groups still remaining.

11^TH CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith”- (Hebrews 12:1-2)

1^st Day of Congress – Sunday 20 January 2013

7:30-11:00am – Concelebration of all Hierarchs at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, Redfern, presided by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia.

11:30-12:30pm – Registration of interstate delegates and Reception in the Cathedral Hall.

19:00pm – Opening Service at the Church of St Spyridon, Kingsford, conducted by His Eminence in the presence of the Patriarchal Representative, State dignitaries, Consular officials, representatives of other Orthodox Churches, and all Clergy and lay delegates of Parish-Communities throughout Australia.

20:00pm – Official Dinner in the new Hall of St Spyridon College, Maroubra.

2^nd Day of Congress – Monday 21 January 2013

8:00am – Registration of late arrivals.

9:00am – Brief Prayer for the Commencement of the Congress.

 Chairman Mr Michael Diamond

Welcome by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia

Message of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew – Pheme of the Patriarch

Greeting of the Patriarchal Representative, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit.

Greeting of His Eminence Metropolitan Evgenios of Rethymnon and Avlopotamos

9:30-10:15am – Keynote Addres of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos Pheme of His Eminence.

10:15-10:40am – Address by Emeritus Professor Nicholas Xexakis of the Theological School, University of Athens, on ‘The freedom of the human person’.

10:45-11:15am – Morning tea-coffee.

11:20-11:30am Election of a Supervisory Committee and nominations for the Archdiocesan Council.

11:30-12:00pm – Financial Report by Mr Stan Palassis, Co-Vice Chair of the Archdiocesan Council and member of the Finance Committee.

12:00-12:40pm – Reports of Institutions and Initiatives of our Archdiocese

*1. Theological College by Dr Philip Kariatlis, Lecturer

*2. Orthodox Day Schools by Mrs Efrosini Stefanou, Head of St Spyridon College, Sydney.

*3. Afternoon Schools by Dr Haralambos Ladopoulos, Head of St John’s College, Melbourne.

*4. University Chaplaincies by His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis.

*5. Youth by Archim. Fr Sophrony Konidaris, Parish Priest of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, Kogarah.

12:45-13:45pm – Lunch

14:00-14:15pm – Official group photograph

Chairman: Dr Nicholas Pappas

*6. Special Religious Education in State Schools (Scripture) by Professor James Athanasou, responsible for Curriculum and Training of Scripture Teachers.

*7. Sunday Schools by Dr John Psaromatis, responsible for Sunday Schools Programmes in NSW.

*8. Pastoral Matters (Chaplaincy) by Rev. Fr Lysimachos Kostoglou, Parish Priest of St Gerasimos, Leichardt.

*9. Missionary Work by Rev. Fr Constantine Varipatis, Parish Priest of St Stylianos, Sutherland.

*10. Charitable Institutions

  *(I.) St Basil’s Nursing Homes and Hostels

• In Sydney: Rev. Fr Nicholas Stavropoulos, CEO
• In Melbourne: Mr Kon Kontis, Chair
• In Adelaide: Mr Harry Patsouris, Chair
• In Perth: Deacon Evangelos Battalis, Director
• In Brisbane: Mrs Evangelis Zoupas, Vice Chair of the Ladies’ Auxillary

  *(II.) Estia Foundation – Sydney, By Protopresbyter fr Angelo Aliferakis, CEO

  *(III.) St John’s Community Care  Cairns, By Mr Theo Bacalakis, Chair

  *(IV.) Bribie Island St Andrews Camp (Retreat and Recreation Centre), By Mr John Panarets, Chair.

16:00-16:30pm Afternoon tea and refreshments

*11. Ladies Auxillary (Philoptochos) by His Grace Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis

*12. Greek Welfare Centres

  *(I.) In Sydney: Mr Stelios Magdas, Director of the Centre

  *(II.) In Melbourne: Mr Kon Kontis, Co-Vice Chair of the Archdiocesan Council

  *(III.) In Adelaide: Archim. Fr Silouanos Fotineas, member of the committee

  *(IV.) In Tasmania: Mrs Aliki Pantazi, Social Worker

  *(V.) In Brisbane: Mrs Angela Andronis, Director.

  *(VI.) St Timothy Foundation: By Rev. Fr Emmanuel Stamatiou, Parish Priest of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Perth

17:15-18:15pm – Discussion of the reports – Questions

18:30pm – Departure by bus to ‘Hellenic Village’, Miranda, of St Basil’s Homes for the Aged, followed by a visit to the Parish of St Stylianos Church, Sutherland, and Dinner

22:30pm – Returen to Hotel

3^rd Day of Congress – Tuesday 22 January 2013

8:15am – Departure

Chairman: Mr James Jordan

8:45-9:30am

*13. Constitutional and Nomocanonical Matters (10 minutes) By Solicitors Dr Nicholas Pappas, Secretary of the Archdiocesan Council, and Mr James Jordan, member of the Archdiocesan Council

*14. Inter-Church and Ecumenical Relations By Mr Dimitri Kepreotes

*15. Mass Media and Public Relations By Protopresbyter Fr Stylianos Scoutas, Parish priest of St Spyridon, Kingsford

*16. Update on the new law concerning health and safety in the workplace (WHS) By Mr Peter Makris

*17. Update concerning insurance matters By Catholic Church Insurance

9:30-10:30am Questions – Discussion

RESOLUTIONS (By Committee comprised of His Grace Bishop Nikandros of Dorylaiou, with Protopresbyters Stylianos Scoutas and Angelo Aliferakis)

10:30-11:00am – Morning tea-coffee

11:00-12:45pm – Committees meet separately

13:00-14:00pm – Lunch

Chairman: Mr Stan Kondilios

14:00-14:30pm – Voting for the Archdiocesan Council

14:30-16:00pm – Committee Reports

16:00-16:30pm – Afternoon tea-coffee

16:30-18:30pm – Committee Reports and discussion

18:30pm Departure for Parish-Community of All Saints, Belmore

Veneration at the Church of All Saints followed by Dinner in the new multi-purpose Hall of the Day School

22:00-22:30pm – Return to the Hotel

4^th Day of Congress – Wednesday 23 January 2013

8:15am – Departure from the Hotel by bus.

Chairman: Mr Kon Kontis

8:45-10:00am – Committee Reports – Discussion of the general topics by the delegates.

10:00-10:30am Morning tea-coffee

10:30-12:30pm – Questions – Discussion – General topics

12:30-13:00pm – First Meeting of the Archdiocesan Council

13:00-14:00pm – Lunch

14:30-15:30pm – Visit to the Central Offices of the Archdiocese, the Cathedral, the Theological College and the Book Centre.

16:00pm – Return to the Hotel

CONCLUSION OF CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

Source: Voice of Orthodoxy, Volume 35, January-March 2013

To the devout Reverend Clergy;

The honourable Administrative Committees;

And the Ladies’ Auxiliaries;

Of the Parish-Communities;

Of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

Dearly beloved,

You would have already been informed through the media about the enormous damage caused by the recent bushfires throughout New South Wales. Due to the strong winds, these fires could not be controlled completely by the Fire and Rescue Services, bringing about terrible devastation particularly in the Blue Mountains, the extent of which is not yet fully known.

In that area there stands, for many decades now, the Holy Monastery of St George of the Mountain. Although it does not have Monks at present, its heroic Abbot, Archimandrite Kyriakos, has worked night and day for nearly 20 years to complete the building facilities.

The extraordinary sacrifices of this one devout Abbot are known only to God and the visiting pilgrims who also contribute voluntarily to the task at hand.

Accordingly, it was only by a miracle that Father Kyriakos escaped with whatever he was wearing, as his residence and other areas of the monastery turned to ash. Fortunately, however, the two holy churches and the candle factory were not seriously affected.

In spite of this, Father Kyriakos lost all his belongings: his clothing, vestments and books, and even several domestic animals which met a frightful death in the flames.

Now more than ever, the Monastery and the Abbot require our philanthropic assistance. We must offer it in all possible ways. For this reason, a special Collection will be held in all our churches throughout Australia, to which we are called to contribute to the best of our ability. The collected amount is to be sent without delay to the Central Offices in Sydney marked for “The St George Monastery Appeal”, so that it can help meet the many needs.

We note that a good portion of the collected amount will be forwarded also, through the Red Cross, to the closest victims of the fire in the region.

Praying that God protect us from similar dangers, I warmly thank you and remain:

In Sydney, 21^st October, 2013

With deep love in the Lord,

Archbishop STYLIANOS

(Encyclical is to be read during the Divine Liturgy of Sunday 27^th October, 2013, before the Collection is conducted).

CHURCH SURVIVES DESPITE FIRE DEVASTATION

NEOS KOSMOS REPORT (26/10/2013)

Whether it was divine intervention or just plain luck, St George Monastery of Yellow Rock NSW survived the fiery inferno that passed through its neighbourhood.

Though little was left of Father Kyriakos Stavronikitianos’ living quarters, the two churches on the land and the candle factory were spared, only suffering minimal damage.

Already the outpouring of support has overwhelmed Father Kyriakos. Via social media, countless Greek-Australians have been putting up their hands to ofer their services.

The Monastery will remain closed until it is deemed safe to return to the area, and will not have a Sunday service, the Archdiocese says.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia is taking up the initiative to help bring in donations, for Father Kyriakos and all the other victims affecte.

The Archdiocese has opened a bank account to raise funds for the Monastery. People are urged to donate to the:

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Property Trust – St George Monastery

BSB: 082 057

Account Number: 616 960 042

Bank: National Australia Bank (NAB)

You can also donate to the Australian Red Cross, by calling 1800 811 700, or visiting:

www.redcross.org.au/

INVITATION

Beloved Orthodox Christians,

We cordially invite you, your family and friends to attend the Foundation Stone Ceremony for the Main Church of Holy Cross monastery and its two side chapels dedicated to St Anthony the Great and St Irene Chrysovalantou.

The foundation stone ceremony will be conducted by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos on SATURDAY 7^th December 2013.

PROGRAMME

Saturday, 7^th December 2013, 7:30 am.

Matins and Divine Liturgy officiated by His Grace Bishop Seraphim.

11am – Laying of the Foundation Stone by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos.

Tea, coffee and sweets will be provided, courtesy of the Monastery. We kindly ask all pilgrims to bring their own packed lunch, due to the lack of catering facilities here at the Monastery.

*Please note the dress code of the Monastery is as follows:

Men to wear trousers and closed shoes, (no shorts).

Women to wear modest skirts and tops or dresses and closed flat shoes, (no trousers or shorts).

*Large groups intending to attend the ceremony are requested to contact the Monastery as soon as possible.

*We request that all pilgrims follow the directions of the volunteer committee of the Monastery, so that the best service and conduct can be maintained.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact the Monastery.

Address: Lot 1 Holy Cross Road, Mangrove Mountain NSW

Phone: (02) 4374 1657

Email: holycrossmonastery@bigpond.com

“Having Thee as an immovable foundation, O Christ, the Church is crowned with Thy Cross as with a royal diadem”. – Service of the Dedication of the Church of the Resurrection.

DEDICATIONS & BENEFACTIONS

If you would like to contribute to this sacred project, please make your donation payable to:

Holy Cross Monastery

 And send to;

Holy Cross Monastery

PO Box 1799 Gosford NSW 2250

Or:

Direct Debit: National Australia Bank (NAB)

Account Name: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Consolidated Trust – Holy Cross Monastery

BSB: 082 057

Account No. 67530 2592

Holy Protection Cathedral, Melbourne, celebrated its Feast Day

On Monday 14th October 2013, the Holy Protection Cathedral in Melbourne celebrated its Parish Feast Day. The All-Night Vigil was served by the clergy of the cathedral, Archpriest Nicholas Karipoff (rector), Archpriest Nicholas Dalinkiewicz, Archpriest Peter Sheko, Hieromonk Kyril and Protodeacon Alexander Abramoff.

The following day, clergy from the neighbouring parishes joined to serve the Divine Liturgy.

Following the service a lunch was held in the church hall where all the guests from parishes in Melbourne, Dandenong and Geelong attended.

Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God Church, Rocklea, celebrated its Feast Day

On the Sunday the 8th of September 2013 the Rocklea, Brisbane, Queensland parish of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God celebrated its feast day. This was the first time in memory that all the other Brisbane Russian Orthodox Churches closed on a Sunday to facilitate the brotherly concelebration of the clergy of all the Brisbane churches. There was a male choir made up of choiristers from each of the churches, Fr Michael gave a sermon around the gospel reading for the day and a feast was held afterwards in the church hall and many years were intoned for the rector Fr Michael Klebansky on his upcoming birthday and namesday.

Many Australians observe Father’s Day on the first Sunday of September. It is a day for people to show their appreciation for fathers and father figures, including stepfathers, fathers-in-law, guardians (eg. foster parents), and family friends.

“You are the best thing that has happened to the Church” said Bishop IRINEJ of the Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand to the youth in attendance at the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the Serbian Orthodox Youth Association (SOYA).

Orthodox Christians representing the five canonical Orthodox Jurisdictions of New Zealand gathered at the Dormition of the Theotokos Romanian Orthodox Church known as St. Mary’s in Wellington to participate in the second official Pan-Orthodox Conference on Saturday, September 28th.