Diocesan Clergy Conference, Pokrov Cathedral, March 18 - 19, 2025

credit: ​Gold Leaf Creative’ film 🎥 group 

by Fr Andrew Smith​

​On 18-19 March, 45 priests and deacons from around our ROCOR Diocese of Australia and New Zealand travelled to Melbourne for the 2025 Pastoral Conference — organised by Holy Protection Cathedral, Brunswick.

Prior to services, clergy were invited to share in refreshments at the Cathedral Hall.  For many clergy, it was the first time connecting with their brothers and concelebrants since the last Pastoral Conference, and the sharing of camaraderie and experiences was in the context of peace and joy.

The proceedings of the Pastoral Conference began, appropriately, with the Pre-Communion Prayers — a foreshadowing and preparation for the next day.  Following this was the service of Great Compline, featuring two choirs — one singing in Slavonic, formed by various clergy, while the other sang in English, formed predominantly by members of the Cathedral’s choir.  All services were in the presence of our Archpastor, Archbishop George.

As part of the organisation of the conference, a nearby hotel was reserved for travelling clergy, with a bus transporting clergy to and from the Cathedral for services and other proceedings.

Wednesday proceedings commenced with the Entrance of Abp George, followed by the Lenten Hours and Typica — read alternately in Slavonic and English.  Emphasising the connection between bishop and his flock, Abp George was vested in the nave of the cathedral, while the priests were invited to vest in its hall before re-entering and taking their places as the assistants of the Bishop.

It was in this context that John was led forward and, with prayers and clerical tonsure, was made a Reader for Holy Ascension Church in Melbourne.  Axios!

Immediately after this, the Presanctified Divine Liturgy began, and it was celebrated according to the established order.  The true unity of the Church was shown in the unity around the chalice, with communicants including all clergy and many of the laity present at the Liturgy.

As is customary, clerical awards were given at the Small Entrance. For each awardee, the clergy and choir sang a resounding ‘Axios!’ — a declaration for the present, and a prayer for future service. These awardees included:
 — Fr Nicholas Dalinkiewicz, of Holy Protection Cathedral in Melbourne, awarded the Mitre;
 — Fr Kyril (Gavras), of Holy Ascension Church in Melbourne, awarded the Palitsa;
 — Fr Sergey Zavyalov, of Holy Resurrection Church in Auckland, elevated to Archpriest and awarded the Palitsa;
 — Fr Andrew Smith, of Holy Annunciation Church in Brisbane, awarded the Gold Cross;
 — Fr Pavel Baksheev, of Holy Dormition Church in Dandenong, awarded the Purple Skoufia;
 — Fr John Sullivan, of St Mary’s Mission in Dardanup, awarded the Nabedrennik.

The sermon was delivered by Abp George.  With the occasion of Great Lent, he spoke on the need for all Orthodox Christians to again turn our lives to repentance; further, he spoke on the need for pastors to lead their flock to repentance — through their own study and personal experience, and then through teaching the flock entrusted to them, by word and example.

A photo of all clergy was taken as a token to remember the occasion, and a memorial litia was served, before clergy adjourned to the Cathedral’s hall for a luncheon fully catered by the Sisterhood of the Cathedral.

Following this luncheon, the clergy were invited to the educational components of the Pastoral Conference.

The first component was led by Fr Michael Protopopov.  A beneficial precursor to a policy on education for our diocese, he explained, was for the clergy of the diocese to consider the purpose, personnel and desired outcomes for education on the Orthodox faith — including for teenagers, for adults, for converts, within parish schools, and in the family home.  This groupwork activity was very stimulating for all participating clergy, who had the opportunity to consider the purpose of education in the life of their parish and the lives of their parishioners.

Following a short break, Fr Nicholas Karipoff delivered a talk, entitled 'The Image of the Pastor: the Bible, Vitae, and Pastoral Theology'.  He weaved the work of various writers together to present resources for the development of an Orthodox pastor, including Metr. Anthony (Khrapovitsky), Archim. Kyprian (Kern), Abp John (Shakovskoy), and the foundational work for pastoral theology by St Gregory the Dialogist.  The discussion following this talk included numerous requests for Fr Nicholas to share his talk more broadly, and especially the list of works cited; and, the affirmation that the wine in the chalice at the Presanctified Liturgy was, after the submersion of the intincted Body, considered to likewise be the Blood.

Other clergy were able to speak on events of diocesan importance, including:
— Fr Stephen David advised that St John of Kronstadt Academy was organising the first Orthodox Education Conference, to be held on 26 July 2025 at St Nicholas Cathedral Hall, in Brisbane;
— Fr Peter Hill advised that the Sts Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Institute had record enrolment in 2025, and that further inquiries were welcome;
— Fr Paul Tokareff announced that the 2025 Syezd Youth Conference was to be held in Adelaide — the first time it had been in that city in many years;
— Fr Yaroslav Belikow further announced that the 2025 Teen Retreat was to be held in Geelong;
— Fr Nicholas Karipoff advised that the Parish History for the 75 years of Holy Protection Cathedral, ‘Pokrov Chronicle’, was available for sale;
— Fr Joachim successfully moved that a letter of support be sent from our Diocese to Metropolitan Basilios of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines, expressing our support in the difficulties experienced by the faithful in Syria;
— Fr Michael Protopopov announced that the upcoming Triennial Diocesan Assembly would take place on 25-27 October 2025.

The massive work of the organisers of the Pastoral Conference was acknowledged by the clergy, and all were most thankful to the clergy, sisterhood, and organisers from Holy Protection Cathedral for a successful Pastoral Conference.  In the past, these had typically been held in Sydney; however, the move to hold these on a rotational basis was favourably received, and all welcomed Brisbane as the next host.

Expressing an especial gratitude to the Sisterhood, whose mammoth work ensured the optimal functioning of clergy throughout the Conference, Fr Paul Tokareff led the assembled clergy in praying ‘Many Years’ for the Sisterhood of Holy Protection Cathedral.

Having taken place in a peaceful and rejuvenating atmosphere, the Pastoral Conference closed with prayer, and clergy departed to their parishes with the blessing of their archpastor. 
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