DIOCESE OF SYDNEY , AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND : August 26, 2005

Archbishop Hilarion Officiates at the Feast Day Celebrations at Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Returning safely from Russia on August 18, Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney , Australia and New Zealand went from the airport right to Holy Transfiguration Monastery, located not far from Bombala, in the Snowy Mountains . Here the Ruling Bishop of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand officiated at the feast day services of the monastery.

During the all-night vigil, a men's choir sang, consisting of singers from Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin and Djeelong, under the direction of D Suprunovich. During Divine Liturgy, when His Eminence was joined by Bishop Milutin (Serbian Orthodox Church), the monastery's abbot, Archimandrite Alexis (Rosentool) and the local clergymen of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the Serbian Orthodox Church. Archbishop Hilarion ordained Monk Sergius (Shatrov), a member of the monastery, to the rank of hierodeacon.

At the end of service, the archpastors, clergymen and worshipers went on a procession of the cross towards the river, where a blessing of the waters was conducted, after which His Eminence Archbishop Hilarion blessed fruit. Before the veneration of the cross, Archbishop Hilarion and Bishop Milutin exchanged greetings, after which everyone was invited to a repast prepared by the monks for the pilgrims.

The following morning, His Eminence, along with the Abbot and brethren of the monastery, performed a "ktitor" liturgy, during which the residents of the monastery, both reposed and living, were commemorated. After the Cherubic Hymn, Vladyka Hilarion ordained Hierodeacon Sergius to the rank of hieromonk for services in the monastery, which are held daily. During trapeza, Archimandrite Alexis gave His Eminence an icon of the Savior painted by the Abbot and adorned with a magnificent riza made by the monastery's monks themselves.