Feast-day in the Australian Capital

This year, the parish feast-day, the Nativity of St John the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, fell on a Monday; however, its celebration was transferred to Sunday, July 6th. On Saturday, July 5th, His Grace Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand arrived for the vigil service. Hieromonk Macarius of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Protodeacon Herman Polorotov, and Deacons Vadim Gan (from Sidney) and John Bots (from Kiev) also came.

Last year (the parish's jubilee year), Vladyka Hilarion served several times; but this year only on the parish feast-day itself. Meanwhile, the construction of the church hall has been nearly completed, and the church school is in the second year at its own premises. For some, the church hall has become a Russian cultural center: various meetings are held in it, among them a series of lectures on literary themes. Under the able guidance of the former warden, Nicholas Alexandrovich Borodin, all the work on the school construction has been finished, and the necessary social center is already bearing fruit.

The all-night vigil was served by the parish's rector, Archpriest Alexander Morozov, assisted by Protodeacon Basil Yakimov and Deacons Vadim Gan and John Bots. The parish choir, which chanted the vigil, was augmented by singers from Sydney. The choir was directed by Liudmila Vasilievna Yakimova.

On Sunday, the Blessing of the Waters was performed by Archpriest Alexander and Deacon Vadim, and proscomedia by Hieromonk Macarius and Deacon John. Archbishop Hilarion was greeted with solemnity.

The Divine Liturgy proceeded in a prayerful and dignified manner. This was noted in particular by the Russian consul, who attended the divine services. At the Little Entrance, Archbishop Hilarion, in accordance with the resolution of the Synod of Bishops, awarded to Archpriest Alexander, the rector of the parish, the right to wear the palitsa. After the Liturgy, a service of supplication, with procession, was served, and the sisterhood provided a festal banquet for those who attended. The clergy and faithful were reluctant to depart, prolonging their fellowship in Christ.

O holy John, prophet, forerunner and baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us!

Protodeacon Basil Yakimov