01 Archimandrite Father Themistocles Adamopoulos visiting.
Archimandrite Father Themistocles Adamopoulos of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, is visiting Australia.
For the second half of July he will be visiting parishes in Sydney. After that he will visit parishes in Brisbane. About 17 August 2007 he is expected to visit Melbourne for two weeks.
Father Themis' talks and presentations on the Orthodox mission in Kenya are always interesting and lively affairs. Anyone able to attend one will find it stimulating and most worthwhile.
Further details are available from Father Geoff Harvey at
or by phone (03) 9752 9710 or 0417 012 551.
02 New Mission Established at Belgrave Heights MetroMelbourne
His Eminence Metropolitan Paul has given his blessing for the establishment of a new English-speaking Mission in Belgrave Heights, called Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission.
Vespers will be held this Saturday 14 July 6pm at the old hall opposite St Martin's Church, preceded by a candle-making workshop from 4pm at 153 Colby Drive, Belgrave Heights (Melway Ref 84 F3).
BYO dinner afterwards.
Details: Fr John D’Alton on 0411 422 192.
03 History of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in Victoria published
Associate Professor Dr Trevor Batrouney has completed the writing of his book entitled Cherishing the Faith - the Antiochian Orthodox Church in Victoria, 1889 - 2006.
Father George Nasr of Thornbury, MetroMelbourne is arranging printing, and copies will be shortly available from Father Geoff Harvey at Crossroad Books.
04 Fr Dn Chris Gain appointed Chaplain to Students in Manila
Father Deacon Chris Gain, formerly of the Australian Antiochian Archdiocese and released in February 2007 by Archbishop Paul Saliba of Australia to the Patriarchate in Damascus, has been appointed Orthodox Chaplain of Students at the National Episcopal Theological Seminary of Saint Andrew in Quezon City, MetroManila, The Philippines.
Father Deacon Chris is the Director of the Orthodox Studies Centre on the Saint Andrew's Theological Seminary campus.
Making the announcement, the dean of the seminary, Very Reverend Tomas Maddela said, "I am delighted Father Chris was prepared to accede to my request to assist the seminary in this way. Having pastorally experienced clergy with the wide life experience of Father Chris is just what students need. Since he is outside the seminary authority structure, students may feel more comfortable with him than with faculty members who have disciplinary responsibilities over the students."
Father Chris said, "Although I am occupied establishing the three Orthodox parishes in Barangay Violago and surrounding barangays, I live on Saint Andrew's Theological Seminary campus, and some of the seminary students are taking postgraduate courses at the Orthodox Studies Centre. I see seminary students every day, so it is a natural step in furthering good relations and understanding of Orthodoxy with our separated brothers and sisters of the Anglican and Independiente traditions in the Philippines. I am pleased to be able to assist in this honorary appointment too."
05 Sunday 01 July 2007 - Reader Ordained in Melbourne
On Sunday 01 July 2007, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Paul, Father Geoff Harvey and Father John D'Alton ordained Timothy Grace to the order of Reader within the Orthodox Church.
Reader Timothy is a member of the Good Shepherd Parish in Clayton, MetroMelbourne, Victoria.
06 Wednesday 01 August - Dormition Fast begins
On Wednesday 1st August 2007 we begin the fast in preparation for the feast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos celebrated on 15 August.
Each day is a strict fast except the following days when wine and oil are allowed: each Saturday and Sunday, and the feast of the Procession of the Cross on Wednesday 1st August.
On Monday 6th August, the feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, fish, wine and oil are permitted.
07 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.
08 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 Father 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
09 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.
10 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.
11 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)
12 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.
13 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.
14 Every Sunday Night - Steps to Heaven - Saint Nicholas Punchbowl
Steps to Heaven - discussion talks based on the Orthodox faith - are held every Sunday at the Old Archdiocesan Headquarters, 8 Henry Street, Punchbowl, lead by Deacon Jean.
Commences at 7.15pm after Divine Liturgy, and finishes about 8.30pm. Drinks and biscuits are provided.
Parish Websites
An Australian, Online,
