01  Holy Week Liturgicon

With the approval of Archbishop Paul, SMG Publications has produced a full edition of the Holy Week Services in modern standard English.

This is an excellent and much needed publication suitable for the whole English speaking world.  Highly recommended.

More details are available here.

02  Archbishop's Report 2007

State of the Archdiocese Report 2007.

03  Damascus and the Patriarchate

New link for views of Damascus and the Patriarchate

04  New Melbourne Institute Brochure

The 2007 information brochure for courses at the Melbourne Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies is now available.

05  Archbishop's Great Lent Letter

Greetings to all of you in the spirit of Great Lent.

We are writing to you to report about our students in Balamand and Sydney's Theological schools.

This year we have four students in the Theology school of Balamand and one student at Saint Andrew's Theology school in Sydney.

Beginning 2008, we will be having graduates entering the working field of your Churches. Education and Theology is not different, it is an investment and I can say an important one. We must nourish, encourage and spend on it.

For the above reasons, I am encouraging our faithful to be generous in contributing towards the "Theological students education" which you have been doing for the last three years.

May the blessings of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

+ Paul

Metropolitan Archbishop Paul

06  Great Lent

The Great Lent Fast commenced on Monday 19 February 2007. Please consult the Archdiocesan approved Diary published by SMG Publications for daily obligations, or consult your parish priest.

See also General Rules for Great Lent Fasting

07  Friday 02 March to Sunday 04 March 2007 - Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of the Antiochian Archdiocese Meeting was held on Friday 2nd March to Sunday 4th March at Saint Paul's Church, Dandenong, Melbourne

Main Topics:
1. Election of twenty Board members
2. Discussion and decision on a plan for Clergy Retirement
3. New Publications
4. New Missions and others.

see also Archbishop's Notice of Election and Requirements

08   Saturday 17 March 2007 - Saint Nicholas Punchbowl - Monastery Visit

The Youth of Saint Nicholas Punchbowl on Saturday 17 March visited Holy Cross Monastery, Holy Cross Road, Mangrove Mountain, near Gosford, NSW.

Transport was by car pooling with people gathering at Saint Nicholas Punchbowl and leaving from there at 9am.

Food was provided at a cost of $20 each person.

More details contact Michleen Daoud on 0405 494 058

09  Saturday 24 March 2007 - Lenten Retreat West Ryde

Saints Michael and Gabriel Orthodox Church held a highly successful one-day Lenten Retreat on Saturday, 24 March 2007.

The day provided an opportunity to set aside some time in our busy lives to focus on spiritual growth, which is especially important in our preparation for the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The theme for this year's Lenten Retreat was "RENEWAL".

The day commenced at 9.30 a.m. with Divine Liturgy at West Ryde Community Hall, 1A Station Street, West Ryde, followed by Morning Tea.

The First Presentation by Father Geoff Harvey began at about 11.30 a.m., and was followed by Lunch. The Second Presentation commenced at about 1.45 p.m. The day concluded with afternoon tea and a Vespers Service. All parishioners and guests were made most welcome for whatever part of the day they attended.

All catering for the day was provided by Saints Michael and Gabriel Orthodox Church. There was no registration fee for the event, however there was an opportunity for a free-will offering throughout the day.

More details are available by email to  with "2007 Lenten Retreat" in the subject line or by phoning Olga on 0402 754 021.

10  Sunday 25 March 2007 - Daylight Saving Ends

All Australian States except Queensland and Northern Territory, observe Daylight Saving.

In all observing Australian States, Daylight Saving ends on Sunday 25 March 2007 at 3 am when clocks are put back one hour.

In all observing Australian States except Tasmania, Daylight Saving starts on Sunday 28 October 2007 at 2 am when clocks are put forward one hour.

In Tasmania, Daylight Saving starts on Sunday 7 October 2007 at 2 am.

In New Zealand, Daylight Saving commences on the first Sunday in March and ends on the third Sunday in October each year.

Every year the Antiochian Archdiocese commemorates the great work the Ladies groups do for the Church throughout the archdiocese.  This commemoration is held each year on the Sunday when Saint Mary of Egypt is remembered.

In 2007 the commemoration was held on Sunday 25 March 2007, which was also the Feast of the Annunciation, when fish may be eaten.

The celebration for Metro Sydney commenced at 7pm in Saint Mary Church, Crimea and Burnett Streets, Mays Hill.

All were made welcome for the service and for refreshments afterwards.

12  Sunday 1st April 2007 - Punchbowl Nursing Home visit

Youth of Saint Nicholas Punchbowl plan a visit to a local nursing home on Sunday 1st April 2007. 

Travel will by car pool leaving the Old Archdiocesan Headquarters, Henry Street, Punchbowl at 12.30pm.

More info contract John Daher on 0438 457 670.

13  Wednesday 04 April 2007 - Patriarchal Docu-Drama broadcast

The youth movement of the Antiochian Patriarchate will broadcast a Docu-Drama under the title “Come take Light” on LBCI on the 4^th April, 7:00pm and the NTV on Friday April 6^th at 12:30am under the title “Come, O Lord”. 

 للاسبوع العظيم ... 

The Paschal Feast of Feasts this year coincides with Western Easter.

Details of Church services and activities are available from individual parishes.

15   Clergy Conference 23 April to 27 April 2007

The 2007 Clergy Conference will be held in Wollongong from Monday 23 April until Friday 27 April. All Clergy of the Archdiocese are expected to attend.

Accordingly, clergy will be generally unavailable in parishes during that week.

16   Friday 27 April to Sunday 29 April 2007 - ACOY Annual Sydney Retreat

The Australian Christian Orthodox Youth will be holding its annual Sydney Retreat on Friday 27 April 2007 to Sunday 29 April 2007.

Venue:  Collaroy Centre, Northern Beaches, Metro Sydney.

When finalised, full details will be published here.

17   Friday 25 May 2007 - Saint Nicholas Punchbowl - Fellowship Night

Youth of Saint Nicholas Punchbowl will be holding a Karoake Night this day. 

Futher details to be provided later.

18   Every Wednesday Evening - Divine Liturgy in English at Saint Nicholas East Melbourne

Every Wednesday evening Divine Liturgy is celebrated at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church East Melbourne at 6.30pm.

Each fortnight right after Divine Liturgy, at 7.30pm, Bible Study is led by Father Anthony. Topic is the Gospel of Saint Mark from an Australian Orthodox perspective.

All welcome

Further details on Saint Nicholas East Melbourne website

19   Every Wednesday Evening - Byzantine Music Classes in Arabic

Byzantine Music tuition is conducted every Wednesday at 7.30 pm at the old Archdiocesan Headquarters, 8 Henry Street Punchbowl, metroSydney, led by Deacon Rafic Al-baba.

Until moving to Australia, GospelDeacon Rafic was Patriarchal CandleDeacon in Northern Lebanon. He is an expert in Byzantine Musical teaching and chanting in the Arabic language.

For registration of interest, and more details, please contact

20   Every Thursday evening - Saint Paul Theological Course

The Autumn Semester of the Saint Paul Theological Course will commence on Thursday 25 January 2007 and finish on Thursday 26 April 2007.

More information available here

21   Every Friday Evening - Catechism Classes at Monash University

Every Friday evening at 6.00pm Father Geoff Harvey holds Orthodox catechism classes at the Monash University Chapel, Religious Centre, Wellington Road, Clayton, metroMelbourne. See Melway Map 70 F11.

Light refreshments provided afterwards.

No charge. All welcome.

22   Every Friday Night - Free Arabic Classes 5.30pm and 6.30pm

Free Arabic Lessons!!!

Ever wanted to learn to speak, read, and write, Arabic? Well now is your chance, every Friday night at Saint Mary Church Hall Mays Hill, there are 2 Arabic classes.

Childrens class (aged between 8 to 13 year) at 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Teens and Adults class (14+) at 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Led by Abouna Mabsoot (Father George Saad)

23   Every Friday Night - Stop and Think Sessions

Stop and Think Sessions are held in the church hall at Saint George Cathedral, Redfern at 7:30pm every Friday night with Father Nabil. All are welcome to attend. More information.

24  Every Saturday Night - Vespers at Monash Uni, Clayton

Every Saturday evening, Vespers (Evening Prayer) is held in the lesser chapel of Monash University, behind the sanctuary of the main chapel, in Wellington Road, Clayton, metroMelbourne.

Vespers in English commences at 6pm, lead by Father Geoff.

More information available here.

Parishioners and all visitors most welcome.

25  Every Saturday Night - Vespers and Bible Study - West Ryde

Great Vespers is served in English every Saturday night at Saints Michael and Gabriel Parish, West Ryde Community Centre, 1A Station Street, West Ryde, two doors south from Victoria Road, commencing at 6.30pm.

Tea, coffee, biscuits, and fellowship, follows Great Vespers. Then at 7.30pm Questions and Answers, and Bible study commences, led by various invited presenters.

Starting 7th October 2006 at 7.30pm, for the next three months, Bible Study will be a set course on the Gospel of Christ.

Led by Ian Holder and Edgar Matouk, supervised by Father Luke.

More info: Edgar Matouk 0411 987 858

Great Vespers starts at 6.30pm.

Bible study commences at 7.30pm.

Finishes at 8.30pm sharp.

All welcome to either or both, especially younger people, Christians of other varieties, and generally interested people.