DIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: 29 July, 2024
A primatial visit to the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand concludes

During a trip to the southern-most diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, after returning from Melbourne to Sydney on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, proceeded to the Diocesan Administration of Australia and New Zealand, where he received clergymen.

On Wednesday, July 24, the feast day of Holy Grand Duchess Olga, Equal-to-the-Apostles, His Eminence officiated at Divine Liturgy at Holy Virgin Protection Church in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta. The service was performed under the holy aegis of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign." Metropolitan Nicholas was co-served by the rector of the church, Archpriest Boris Ignatievsky, parish clergy, guests in the priesthood and members of the delegation accompanying him.

The liturgical hymns were solemnly sung by the parish choir under the direction of Eustratius Papageorgiou.

Before the kissing of the cross, His Eminence addressed the worshipers with a sermon dedicated to the significance of the podvig and the memory of St Olga. A luncheon was then offered, organized by the parish sisterhood headed by Vera Paramonova.

On the evening of the same day, the First Hierarch and His Eminence Archbishop George of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand met with the youth of the Sydney churches. The evening opened with a story by Vladyka Nicholas about the history, significance and miracles of the Kursk Icon of the Mother of God. His Eminence then spoke about the most impressive moments of his recent visit to the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. During the reception, the youth asked questions, to which they received exhaustive answers from the archpastors.

On Thursday, July 25, His Eminence met with Archbishop George and discussed a number of issues with him, and received several clergy and laity who requested his blessing. In the evening of the same day, a farewell dinner was served in honor of the First Hierarch and his entourage.

On Friday, July 26, His Eminence Vladyka Nicholas departed for New York. He was accompanied by Archpriest Serafim Gan and Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur.

The Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God will remain in the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand until the end of October.