Great Lent Confession of the Australian Clergy

During the second week of Great Lent, March 25-27, a conference and retreat of the clergy of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese was held. The clergy gathered at the Diocesan Administration office in Croydon (near Sydney) at 45 p.m. on 25 March. After a cup of in the bishops' residence, the Three Canons and akathist were read. Then the Great Lenten service, during which the clergy stood in the altar and made confession in various parts of the church. Vespers was conducted by the Secretary of the Australian Diocese, Protopriest Michel Boikov, and a choir of the graduates of Holy Trinity Seminary sang.

On Wednesday, 26 March, at 8 a.m., pre-sanctified liturgy was performed at Protection Church in Cabramatta.

This year, Protection Church marks its 50th anniversary. Liturgy was led by Archbishop Hilarion of Australia and New Zealand, along with Protopriests Michael Klebansky, Michael Protopopov, Michael Li, Nicholas Dalinkiewicz, Vladimir Deduhin, Sergei Okunev, Priests Boris Ignatievsky, Vladimir Tsukanov and Hieromonk John and Protodeacons Boris Evstigneev and Basil Yakimov. The remaining clergy comprised a mighty and prayerful choir. Unfortunately, not all clergymen were able to participate because of their civil jobs. Protopriests John Stukach and Michael Konstantinoff attended evening service, made confession, but then served at their own parishes. There were many worshipers in chuch, most of whom partook of the Holy Mysteries.

After liturgy, a commemorative litany was read for the founder of the Protection Church, Protopriest Rostislav Gan, and all the reposed parishioners.

A trapeza followed in the parish hall. Archbishop Hilarion spoke on the significance of Protopriest Rostislav Gan for for the Russian Church in general. The spiritual legacy of Fr. Rostislav lives to this day. Vladyka also noted that this year, the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul in Stratfield, St. Nicholas Church in Fairfield and Protection Church in Cabramatta are all celebrating their 50th anniversaries, and that it is timely to recall Fr. Rostislav, whose spiritual children among the clergymen minister to many of the parishes of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese.

Archbishop Hilarion speaks during the trapeza.

Protopriests Michael Klebansky, Nikita Chemodakov and Nicholas Karypov, icon-painter Antonina Ganina, the eldes son of Fr. Rostislav, Adrian Gan and Konstantin Tonkikh shared their recollections of the great priest, who was for many people a second father. Fr. Rostislav possessed remarkable recall and could talk on any subject. He devoted himself to his flock and was always forthcoming with kind word and counsel. His sermons were direct, clear and kind-hearted. He knew well both the work of the Holy Fathers and liturgics. He especially loved the typicon, thanks to which divine services in Protection Chruch were remarkable in their correctness and logic. The desire was expressed at the meeting that recollections of Fr. Rostislav Gan be published, while those who remembered him were still among us.

The Pastoral Conference began at 4 p.m. The problem of mixed marriages was discussed at a round table, and the names of newly-converted were mentioned, the question of commemorating the civil authorities, and the future of the Australian Diocese. Matters pertaining to insurance and legal questions were discussed, which are becoming daily problems in contemporary life. The Archbishop, priests and deacons shared their experiences, their pastoral practice, answering questions and spoke also of the joys and sorrows of their parishes. Vladyka Hilarion especially called the clergy to emulate the devotion, love and pastoral service of Fr. Rostislav Gan of blessed memory. The Russian-language discussions were synchronously translated into English for the English-speaking clergy.

The Conference ended at approximately 6 p.m. The clergy, cleansed through the mystery of confession, strengthened with the mystery of the Eucharist and encouraged by the mystery of brotherly love, left Cabramatta and returned home to prepare, together with their flocks, for the great feast of the Resurrection of Christ. Members of the Diocesan Council remained for their regular meeting.

Glory to God for all!

Composed from materials provided by Deacon Basil Yakimov.
Canberra, Australia