DIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: 13 July 2024
The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad leads the feast-day celebrations of SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand

On Tuesday evening, July 9, 2024 His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, accompanied by the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," arrived in Sydney, Australia.

Greeted at the airport by His Grace Bishop George of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand; Archpriest Nikita Chemodakov, Dean of the Central District, Senior Priest of SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in Sydney; Archpriest George Lapardin, and Protodeacon Alexander Kotlyarov, His Eminence went to the Ruling Bishop's residence in Croydon, where a moleben to the Mother of God was served.
On Wednesday, July 10, at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in Sydney, Metropolitan Nicholas performed a moleben and akathist to the Mother of God before Her miraculous icon in front of a large gathering of worshipers. His Eminence was co-served by Bishop George, the cathedral and city clergy. On Friday, July 12, the feast day of the Chief Apostles Peter and Paul, His Eminence Vladyka Nicholas officiated at the conciliar service of the Divine Liturgy in the cathedral, and on the eve of the all-night vigil with a litany, the blessing of the loaves and the singing of the magnification of the Mother of God and the Chief Apostles.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan of Australia and New Zealand (Serbian Orthodox Church), Bishop George, along with rectors and clergy of the Sydney churches.

The festivities were held under the holy aegis of the Kursk Icon of the Mother of God. The liturgical hymns were sung by the bishop's choir under the direction of Andrei Laptev.

Praying at the service were Abbess Maria (Miros), Consul General of Russia in Sydney IN Arzhaev and his wife, and a multitude of worshipers. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas addressed the worshipers with a primatial sermon, and then a moleben was performed with a procession of the cross around the cathedral.

Upon completion of the service, His Eminence greeted the archpastors, clergy and assembled worshipers with their patronal feast, expressing gratitude to Vladyka George for the invitation and wishing everyone God's help through the prayers of the Chief Apostles Peter and Paul. Then the following decree was announced:

To His Grace George, Bishop of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand

A session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, held in New York on November 25/December 8, 2023, HEARD: The President's petition for the elevation of His Grace George, Bishop of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand, to the rank of Archbishop on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of his archpastoral service.

Having thoroughly discussed the President's petition, RESOLVED: 1) To nominate His Grace Bishop George of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand for elevation to the rank of archbishop and to question the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia with a view to awarding him in accordance with the Regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. 2) In the event of a favorable decision on the President's petition, to leave to the discretion of His Eminence the time and place of awarding Bishop George.

Now, having familiarized ourselves with the results of the survey of the members of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, it is with great joy that we inform Your Grace that your brother archpastors, prayerfully invoking glory and thanksgiving to Christ the Chief Shepherd, reverently venerating the miraculous icon of the Protectress of the Russian diaspora, loudly and with a kind heart proclaiming to you "AXIOS," elevate you to the high rank of archbishop.

For which this decree is given, with fraternal good wishes for good health, cheerfulness of spirit and further help of God for many grace-filled years.

+ NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

+ KIRILL
Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops

In handing the decree to His Grace George, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia proclaimed the "axios," which was taken up by the Council of Clergy and the Bishop's Choir.

His Eminence then paid special tribute to the cathedral dean, Protopriest George Lapardin, presenting him with a jubilee cross issued for the 725th anniversary of the appearance of the Kursk-Root Icon and the 100th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. In response, Metropolitan Silouan and Archbishop George delivered greetings and presented His Eminence Bishop Nicholas with commemorative icons of the Mother of God and the Apostles Peter and Paul.

In the large church hall and in the cathedral fence, through the efforts of the sisterhood headed by Irina Lapteva, tables were laid for 400 people. Here, Metropolitan Nicholas, Archbishop George, Fr Nikita and Archpriest Serafim Gan delivered warm words of greeting.

Before the prayer of thanksgiving, the cathedral presented memorable gifts to the members of the delegation headed by Metropolitan Nicholas, and the cathedral sisterhood, which organized the festal luncheon, and Many Years was sung.

On the evening of the same day, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia met with the local clergy and their spouses at the residence of Archbishop George.