Russian Australia Rejoices

The First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia arrived at the Australian and New Zealand Diocese with the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora.

On Wednesday, 10 July at 6 a.m., the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, the Miracle-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Most-Holy Mother of God. The Icon was brought from the Western American Diocese by His Eminence, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Metropolitan Laurus.

At Kingsford International Airport, the Miracle-working Icon, Vladyka Metropolitan and Bishop Gabriel of Manhattan were greeted by the Ruling Bishop of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese, Archbishop Hilarion, the clergy of the Sydney area, monastics from Novoye Shamardino Monastery and other faithful of the Australian Diocese. Everyone venerated the Kursk-Root Icon, accompanied by the singing of its troparion, and left the airport. Vladyka Metropolitan and the Icon were taken to the residence of the Ruling Bishop, and at 9 a.m., Protopriest Michael Boikov and Priests George Lapardin and Serafim Gan performed a service of supplication to the Mother of God before the Icon in the Cathedral in Croydon.

On Wednesday evening, Vladyka Metropolitan, along with Archbishop Hilarion and the Sydney clergy, performed a service of supplication with an akathist to the Mother of God before the Kursk Icon. The Icon will be in Sydney for the duration of the All-Diaspora Youth Conference in Sydney. The feast day of SS Peter and Paul om 12 July will not soon be forgotten by the parishioners of the cathedral city of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese. On this day, the feast day of the Cathedral was commemorated with a special ceremoniousness, piety and joy. The clergy and parishioners from all over Sydney came to the Cathedral to pray before the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, to venerate the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to pray with the new First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus. Hundreds of worshipers attended all-night vigil. It was heartening to see the young people who had begun gathering for the All-Diaspora Youth Conference, along with countless children. Vladyka Metropolitan was met by the clergy and all-night vigil began. The Cathedral choir sang magnificently.

Metropolitan Laurus was greeted at the Cathedral at 9 a.m. on Friday, 12 July. Besides the local Hierarchal Choir, a children’s choir sang as well. His Eminence the First Hierarch served together with Archbishop Hilarion, Archbishop Chrysostom (of the Greek Old-Style Church) and Bishop Gabriel of Manhattan, along with a multitude of clergy from Brazil, San Francisco, Russia and various Australian cities. Vladyka Metropolitan ordained into the deaconate subdeacon Alexander during liturgy. The Cathedral was overfilled with worshipers and as a result, many had to stand outside. In his sermon, Vladyka Metropolitan called upon those present to emulate the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in their zealousness, love and dedication. A procession of the Cross was held after liturgy with a service of supplication to the Mother of God and the Holy Apostles, followed by a trapeza feast at the parish hall, which was decorated with a special overhang. The clergy spoke in turn, expressing their love and support for the Holy Church and Her new First Hierarch. The day ended at 4 o’clock with the procession of the Kursk Icon from the hall accompanied by the singing of the troparion to the Mother of God. Outside, the faithful passed underneath the Miracle-working Icon.

On Saturday, 13 July, the Xth All-Diaspora Youth Conference of Russian Orthodox Youth begins.