1 Saturday 04 November 2006 - Festal Celebration of Saint Michael
The Australian Orthodox Parish of Saint Michael Sylvania celebrated the feast of their parish patron saint on Saturday 4th November 2006 at 7:00 pm. The address is Sylvania Heights Public School, Lisbon Street, Sylvania Heights, metroSydney.
His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Paul welcomed all true believing Christians and interested observers attending the celebrations.
2 Saturday 04 November 2006 - Saint George Thornbury Dinner
In celebration of the completion of the Saint George Thornbury Community Centre, the parish held a successful dinner on Saturday 04 November 2006 at the Saint George Reception Hall commencing at 7.30pm.
Tickets were $60 per adult.
Further information:
3 Sunday 12 November 2006 - Feast Day of Saints Michael and Gabriel
The Feast Day of Saints Michael and Gabriel was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Paul on Sunday 12 November 2006 at the Saints Michael and Gabriel Parish West Ryde, metroSydney. This parish worships in the West Ryde Community Centre, 1A Station Street, West Ryde (two doors south of Victoria Road).
Pictured assisting His Eminence are Presbyter Father John Vesic and Deacon Father Luke, with thurifer Gergi Ziadeh.
All who came and celebrated with the SMG faithful were made most welcome and were invited to stay for food and drinks afterwards.
4 Wednesday 15 November 2006 - Christmas Fast commences
For all following the new calendar, the annual Christmas Fast commences on Wednesday 15 November 2006.
For those following the old calendar, the annual Christmas Fast commences on Tuesday 28 November 2006.
5 Wedneday 15 November 2006 - Annual Archdiocesan Sydney Ladies Christmas Luncheon
The Archdiocesan Ladies Auxilliary of Sydney held their annual Christmas luncheon this year at the Saint George Cathedral hall Redfern on Wednesday 15 November 2006.
Tickets were available from local parish Ladies Auxiliary presidents and from the archdiocese on 02 9543 6939.
6 Sunday 19 November 2006 - Combined Youth Liturgy Punchbowl
His Eminence Metropolitan Paul welcomed all the youth of metroSydney at Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 6pm on Sunday 19 November 2006 at Saint Nicholas Church Punchbowl.
All Sydney Parish Priests were invited to attend and join in this celebration.
7 Friday 24 November to Sunday 26 November 2006 - ACOY Spring Retreat
The Australian Christian Orthodox Youth (ACOY) Spring Retreat was held on the weekend 24 to 26 November 2006 in metroMelbourne. All attending found it spiritually uplifting and most worthwhile.
8 Saturday 25 November 2006 - Punchbowl Youth Christmas Party
On Saturday night 25 November 2006, commencing 7pm, Saint Nicholas Punchbowl youth held a most successful Christmas Party in the Ballroom, at the Bellevue Bankstown Reception Lounge, 2-10 Restwell Street, Bankstown, metroSydney.
Congratulations to the organisers of this excellent well run quality function.
9 Sunday 26 November 2006 - National Day of Prayer in Time of Drought
Heads of Christian Churches meeting in Sydney this month acknowledged and supported the various calls from church groups and other Australians for prayer in this time of severe drought, including a National Day of Prayer on 26 November 2006.
The heads of Churches called for all Australians to pray for:
desperately needed rain
those who are severely drought affected, and
commitment to responsibly care for all our natural resources.
“We invite all Australians to express their solidarity with those who are suffering by taking a few moments to pray or to join a local worship service where prayers will be offered,” said Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, Primate of the Anglican Church.
Archbishop Philip Wilson, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said, “At a time when our political leaders and climate experts are giving close attention to the economic consequences of this drought, we should remember the many people on farms and in small businesses who are suffering often in a deeply personal way. Local Churches are already providing practical and personal support, and will continue to do their utmost. Our prayer shows that Australians stand together in the face of adversity.”
“We need to seek God’s guidance as to how we can better manage Australia’s water resources at a time when climate change is upon us. This too will be part of the prayers on 26 November,” added the Revd Gregor Henderson, President of the Uniting Church in Australia.
The Church leaders acknowledged the recent statement of Queensland Church leaders: “We are very conscious of the life and death needs that beset so many people around this world every day and we in no way intend that much needed prayer be deflected from these situations. At the same time we recognise that water is an urgent and immediate need affecting so many of us here and now in the most basic ways. So it is with the confidence that Jesus urged upon us that we simply go to God with this need.”
Many resources for prayer are already available from local church groups, and links and resources will also be gathered and posted on the web pages of the National Council of Churches in Australia, at www.ncca.org.au
This statement is made on behalf of the following leaders of Australian Churches:
10 Sunday 26 November 2006 - Ordination of Deacon Luke to Priest
Deacon Luke was ordained priest on Sunday 26 November 2006 at Saint George Cathedral Redfern (corner of Walker and Cooper Streets) during solemn hierarchical divine liturgy commencing at 10.30am.
The ordination of a priest happens rarely in Australia and in Sydney, so all were invited to see this sacrament being imparted.
Archdiocesan News 
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