MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: 23 July, 2024
The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad visits Victoria with the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God

On Friday, July 19, 2024, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York accompanied the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" to Melbourne.

Greeted at the airport by the Dean of Victoria, Archpriest Michael Protopopov, His Eminence went to the city of Dandenong. There, Priest Paul Baksheev, the second priest of Dormition Parish, headed by Fr Michael, served a dinner in honor of the arrival of the wonderworking icon, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and his entourage.

On Saturday, July 20, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas, Fr Michael and Fr Paul brought the Kursk Icon to Holy Trinity Parish of the Moscow Patriarchate in Melbourne, where Archpriest Igor Filyanovsky is Rector. A moleben with an akathist to the Mother of God was performed there.

In the afternoon, Metropolitan Nicholas visited the Russian Charitable Society in Dandenong, the Russian Museum attached to it, and the church under construction on its territory in honor of Righteous John, Presbyter and Wonderworker of Kronstadt. From there, His Eminence went to SS Cyril and Methodius Theological Institute, where he was warmly welcomed by Rector Archpriest Peter Hill.

On the same day, in the evening, all-night vigil was held in the Church of the Dormition in Dandenong with a large gathering of believers who came to venerate the miraculous icon of the Most-Blessed Virgin.

Prior to the singing of the canon, His Eminence addressed the assembled worshippers with a primatial sermon, and then greeted the rector of the church, Fr Michael, presenting him with a jubilee pectoral cross, specially issued for the 725th anniversary of the discovery of the Kursk-Root Icon and the 100th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

At a luncheon organized by the local sisterhood at the end of the service, Fr Michael welcomed Metropolitan Nicholas and asked for prayers for the clergy and parishioners of the Church of the Dormition.

On Sunday, July 21, the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Melbourne. Vladyka Nicholas was co-served by the rector, Archpriest Nicholas Karipoff, the cathedral clergy, representatives of other Local Orthodox Churches, and members of the delegation accompanying the First Hierarch.

The solemn service was held under the aegis of the Kursk Icon, with a very large number of believers. At the customary time during Divine Liturgy, His Eminence, at the request of His Eminence Archbishop George of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand, ordained Subdeacon Gregory Metlenko to the diaconate.

After the dismissal of Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas addressed the clergy and worshipers with a sermon, in which he called the parishioners the main adornment of their cathedral and called upon them to use all the means for the renewal and sanctification of the soul offered by the Holy Church.

In conclusion, His Eminence addressed the builder of the cathedral, Fr Nicholas and expressed his deep gratitude for his many years of pastoral work and for the creation of a magnificent cathedral in the “Yaroslavl style” in the second city of Australia, presenting him with a jubilee pectoral cross.

Then, at the request of Archbishop George, the First Hierarch presented jubilee medals issued for the 75th anniversary of the diocese to a number of active members of the cathedral parish in Melbourne. After the veneration of the cross, the First Hierarch, clergy and a multitude of parishioners continued during a bountiful luncheon organized by the efforts of the cathedral sisterhood headed by LN Kovalenko.

That evening, the First Hierarch visited the Church of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Geelong. Here, the rector, Archpriest Yaroslav Belikov, Protodeacon Vasily Kazulin, and the multitude of parishioners warmly greeted the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God and their First Hierarch.

Vested in the mantle and minor episcopal vestments, Metropolitan Nicholas, at the request of Archbishop George ordained an altar boy of the Church of the Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow, James Sparks, to the rank of reader.

Then, after performing a moleben with an akathist with the local clergy and members of the delegation, His Eminence addressed the congregation with sermon, in which he called on people to follow the example of humility and devotion to the will of God the Most-Blessed Virgin, after which he presented a new edition of the akathist to the Kursk Icon of the Mother of God to the newly-ordained reader, and to the rector of the church a jubilee cross.

After venerating the holy icon, a dinner was offered, organized by the parish sisterhood.

On Monday, July 22, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas toured the grounds of the Parish of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" and the sights of Geelong, conversing with the local clergy and faithful.

On Tuesday, 23 July, the First Hierarch departed for Sydney.