1   Monday 1 May to Friday 5 May 2006 - Annual Clergy Conference

The Annual Clergy Conference for the Australian and New Zealand clergy of the Archdiocese was held in Wollongong from Monday to Friday 1st to 5th May 2006. 

His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Saliba announced to all the assembled clergy and visitors that the Archdiocese would become independent and self governing like the North American Archdiocese.  To this end he intended having a bishop appointed for Victoria by 2010 and another bishop appointed for New Zealand shortly after that.

some of the clergy at the 2006 annual clergy conference in Wollongong (l to r) (in front) Fr Dn John Hubbard, Fr Ian Nield, Fr Michal Zghaib, Fr Antonious Gindi;  (in centre) Fr John Abdel-Karim, Fr Paul El'Hage, Fr Nicholas Haddad, Rev John D'Alton, Fr Dimitri Baroudi, Fr Dn Nektarios Nemme, Fr Nicolas Mansour, Fr Nabil Kachab, Fr Petru-Ilie Petre, Abp Paul Saliba, Fr Michael Elder, Fr Ilyan Eades, Mr Sid Macdessi, Fr Raymond Smith, Sdn Rafic Al Baba, Fr George Saada, Fr Jack Whitbrock, Fr Dn Chris Gain, Fr Victor Didneco; (in rear) Fr Aziz Abwi, Fr Geoff Harvey.

2   Saturday 6 May 2006 - Sydney Sunday School service - 10.30am

A service for all the Sunday School children and the youth of all Sydney region parishes was held on Saturday 6 May 2006 at 10:30am at Saint George Cathedral, Redfern, Archimandrite Father Nabil presiding.

Concelebrating were Very Reverend Archpriest Father Ilyan Eades from Dunedin New Zealand, Reverend Father Michael Elder from Diamond Harbour New Zealand, Father Deacon Max Perkins from Christchurch New Zealand, assisted by Subdeacon Chris Gain from Newcastle Australia.

3   Sunday 7 May 2006 - Senior NZ Archpriest celebrating in Sydney

Senior New Zealand Archpriest Very Reverend Father Ilyan Eades celebrated Matins commencing at 8.30am and Divine Liturgy commencing at 9.30am at Saints Michael and Gabriel Parish West Ryde on Sunday 7 May 2006.

Father Ilyan was ordained into the Antiochian Church by Bishop Gibran 19 years ago and has been celebrating the eastern rite in New Zealand in the English language for all of those 19 years.

He was assisted by Subdeacon Chris from Newcastle Austraia, on Sunday and also at Vespers commencing at 6.30pm on Saturday 6 May 2006 with Bible study, fellowship, and Church Q&A afterwards.

4   Sunday 7 May 2006 - Saint George Day Service Sydney

The traditional Saint George Day service for the Sydney region was held at 10.30am at Saint George Cathedral Redfern.   All were made welcome.  

5   Friday 12 May 2006 - Sydney Western Region Youth Meeting

His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Paul held a meeting for all youth in the western region of Sydney at the Old Archdiocesan Headquarters at 8 Henry Street Punchbowl at 7pm.

His Eminence spoke on topical issues, and addressed ongoing concerns by youth of the region, wanting Orthodox Church teaching on contemporary issues, to be taught in the region.

The keynote address was "Cracking the Da Vinci Code" by His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Paul, with dvd presentation.

Having listed to the concerns of the youth, His Eminence has decided to have a contemporary issues session each Sunday night in western Sydney.  

Commencing Sunday 4 June 2006 Contemporary Issues Sessions will be held immediately after evening Divine Liturgy which commences at 6pm. The first session on 4 June 2006 will be held at Saint Nicholas Church Punchbowl. The following week the session will be held at Saint Mary Church Mays Hill, again immediately after evening Divine Liturgy which commences at 6pm.

Contemporary issues sessions then will continue each Sunday evening alternating between the Punchbowl and Mays Hill churches.

All welcome.

6   Saturday 13 May 2006 - Saint George Festival Melbourne

The annual Saint George Festival in Melbourne was held on Saturday 13 May 2006 at Saint George Kingsville.  See Brochure for details.  Further information Walid Hanna. 

7   Sunday 21 May 2006 - Chrismation of Reverend John D'Alton

Reverend John D'Alton was chrismated this day in Melbourne.

8   Sunday 28 May 2006 - Ordination of a Deacon

His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Saliba ordained Subdeacon Chris Gain to deacon, at Saint Mary Church Mays Hill at 6.00 pm on Sunday 28 May 2006.

A festive celebration was held in the hall afterwards compliments of sponsoring Father Georges Saad and the Saint Mary Parish.