DIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: August 5, 2013
Protodeacon Andrei Kuraeff on a Lecture Tour in the Parishes of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand

On Sunday, July 21, 2013, Protodeacon Andrei Kuraeff joined Protopriest George Lapardin in celebrating Divine Liturgy at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in Sydney, Australia. Afterwards, Fr Andrei read a sermon in which he revealed th idea the Orthodoxy is a religion of joy, not a religion of sorrow and sadness, and how important it is, after divine services, to bring the joy they provide to one's friends and neighbors. Following Liturgy, Professor Kuraeff met with the cathedral parishioners, told them about the Christian mission throughout history and today, and answered many questions.

On Monday, July 22, at the request of the parishioners, Fr Andrei became the godfather of a child, Dimitry, from a family of parishioners of St George Church in Carlton, NSW. The rite of holy baptism was performed by Hegumen Christopher (Vakhabov), with the blessing of the parish rector. After the service, Fr Andrei read a lecture at the parish hall on the topid "The Life of the Russian Church Today." The audience also discussed other topics after the lecture.

On Tuesday, July 23, the Archbishop's Church in Croydon, another lecture was read, which touched upon questions of the meaning of the works of some Russian writers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Also discussed were canon law and symbolism in Christianity. The meeting lasted over two and a half hours as a result of the many questions from the the listeners.

Fr Andrei's presentations draw a great deal of enthusiasm from his audience, and everyone had the opportunity to talk with him afterwards.

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