COVID-19 Response from Pokrov, Melbourne
Saturday 21 March, 2020
 
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As you may be aware, this week indoor gatherings numbering over 100 people were banned in Australia, (as well as outdoor gatherings over 500) as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Furthermore, yesterday Prime Minister Scott Morrison explained that there should be ample room to accommodate those gathering indoors – therefore we are capping services at Pokrov to 100 attendees inclusive of choir and clergy.

CHURCH SERVICES AT POKROV THIS WEEKEND: 

On Saturday 21 March services will run as normal (9.30am liturgy and 6pm vigil).

On Sunday 22nd March there will be two liturgies
7:45 am - English liturgy
10:15 am - Slavonic liturgy

To keep in line with the current law, only the first 100 people will be admitted to the service.  

Those that receive confession at the vigil are strongly encouraged to arrive early to avoid missing out. If you are at risk, required to self-isolate or have a confirmed case of COVID-19 please do not attend the premises. 

Those that attend are asked to cross themselves and bow when venerating icons instead of kissing them. Please avoid physical contact with others as well - priests may be greeted with a bow.

Services will also be live-streamed to the public via the Pokrov YouTube site. Subscribe to the YouTube page here.
We had a trial run yesterday and will iron out some audio problems shortly. Please treat the streamed services with due reverence.

Staying home? You can find copies of the Lenten Triodion online to help you follow the service. 

If you have any questions please email Father Nicholas Karipoff:
fr.karipoff@gmail.com

God bless, 
Parish Council and Father Nicholas Karipoff




Statement Concerning Conducting Church Life
During the Pandemic
Bishop George
To the Clergy, Monastics, and Laity of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese,
 
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
 
In these last days, as the seals in the Book of Revelation are being opened (according to the word of St. Paisios of Mt. Athos), we must always hearken to these words of our Saviour spoken to His disciples and to all of us: “Fear not.”
 
We have read about the various regulations being enacted in dioceses throughout the world in response to the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak in their regions and the restrictions being enforced by the local governments. Here in Australia we have just heard of the new restriction of having four (4) sq. metres of space for every occupant of a gathering of less than one hundred (100) people, with more than one hundred (100) being forbidden. Outdoors we are limited to gatherings of five hundred (500) people. We do not know if any kind of gatherings will be allowed in the near future. We ask all of our church communities to obey their local government requirements.
 
Concerning church services, if the space in your church is insufficient for you to comply to these rules, or if we are forbidden to have any indoor gatherings in the future, you may have outdoor liturgies and services, perhaps with the altar positioned in the entrance of the church.
 
We will continue to administer the Holy Mysteries as we have always done. Zapivka should be given with disposable paper cups, and burned afterwards. The veneration of icons and the cross and the greeting of the priest may continue as normal, alternatively it is also acceptable for the faithful to bow to the icons and the priest. The faithful may take the antidoron themselves at the end of liturgy.
 
As this is a contagious disease all the faithful should be encouraged to maintain good personal hygiene and avoid unnecessary contact in order to keep from passing on the contagion to one another.
 
The elderly, those who are sick and those whose health is compromised and are especially vulnerable to the disease are encouraged to stay at home until the situation improves. They should contact their priest in order to receive the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion. It is also now possible to watch the divine services via live-streaming. [At the present time the Pokrov Sobor in Melbourne (Slavonic and English), the Vladimir Icon Parish in Rocklea (Slavonic), and the Holy Annunciation Parish in Brisbane (English) are live-streaming their services.]
 
All Russian church schools should cancel classes until further notice and all Holy Unction services scheduled for this Lenten period should be cancelled.
 
Let us remember that everything is from the hand of God, and “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28). In the third century, during a terrible pandemic, over 5,000 perished every day in Rome. Some cities lost more than 60% of their population. During that time people panicked and abandoned the sick and the dying, except for the Christians. They displayed great faith, compassion, and steadfastness as they cared for the sick, the disabled, and even strangers. Let us emulate these early Christians, showing that we are worthy of also being called Christians. Let us seek out those that may be in need and offer whatever assistance we can, whether it be physical or spiritual. “In your patience possess ye your souls” (Luke 21:19).
 
+Bishop George of Canberra
Administrator of the Australia-New Zealand Diocese
of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
 
We ask that the following prayer be added to every liturgy and that copies of the prayer be distributed to the laity so that they may add it to their daily prayers.


 * * * * * * * *
Prayer for salvation from the coronavirus and other ills

O Lord Jesus Christ, our God!
Look down on all who are suffering from the viral contagion. Do not let them to be left without the hope of life ahead, give them courage and faith in Thy all-powerful help.
Lord, guard us all from serious illnesses.
Grant forgiveness and remit the sins and transgressions of all those who cannot be healed, who are leaving this world in mortal anguish. Send Thy Angels to receive their souls.
With Thy right hand, O Lord, purify the earth, the air and the waters from the destructive consequences of the current calamity.
Protect us through the prayers of our Most Pure Lady the Mother of God and of all Thy saints. Amen



Заявление относительно проведения церковных служб
во время эпидемии
Священнослужителям, монашествующим и мирянам Австралийско-Новозеландской Епархии.
«Не бойся, малое стадо! Ибо Отец ваш благоволил дать вам царство» (Лк.12:32).
В эти последние дни, когда по словам святого старца Паисия Афонского, печати книги Откровения открываются, мы должны внимать этим словам нашего Спасителя Его ученикам и нам всем: «Не бойтесь».
 
Мы читали разные правила, которые предписывается исполнять по разным епархиям по всему миру в отношении серьёзности вспыхнувшей эпидемии COVID-19, и ограничений, введённых местными властями. У нас в Австралии мы только что узнали о таких ограничениях: иметь 4 м2 площади на каждого, где собирается вместе внутри помещения не более 100 человек. На открытом воздухе число собравшихся ограничено до 500. Мы не знаем, если в ближайшем будущем будет вообще разрешено собираться вместе. Просьба ко всем церковным обществам исполнять требования местной власти.
 
В отношении церковных служб: если размер храма не позволяет исполнять это требование, или если в будущем будет запрещено собираться внутри помещений, можно совершать литургию на воздухе, используя притвор как алтарь.
 
Святое причастие вы будете получать, как обычно. Запивка должна разливаться в бумажные стаканчики, которые после использования будут сожжены. Поклонение иконам, целование креста и принятие благословения от священника могут быть как всегда, но можно также просто поклониться иконам и священнику. Верующие могут брать антидор сами в конце литургии.
 
Так как это заразная болезнь, все верующие должны соблюдать необходимые правила гигиены и избегать ненужных контактов во избежание передачи заразы другим.
 
Пожилым людям, болящим или у которых проблемы со здоровьем и, особенно, подверженным этой болезни – рекомендуется оставаться дома до тех пор, пока ситуация не улучшится. Они должны связаться со своим священником, чтобы получить таинства исповеди и причастия. Также возможно смотреть божественные службы в прямой трансляции (в настоящее это уже устроено в Свято-Покровском Соборе в Мельбурне (на двух языках), в приходе Владимирской иконы Божией Матери в Рокли (на церковно-славянском) и Благовещенском приходе в Брисбене (на английском языке).
 
Все Русские приходские школы должны отменить занятия до последующего сообщения. Общее Соборование, которое обычно совершается во время Великого Поста, также должно быть отменено.
 
Мы должны помнить, что всё в руках Божиих, и «… что любящим Бога, призванным по Его изволению, всё содействует ко благу» (Рим.8:28). В III веке, во время ужасной эпидемии, в Риме умирало свыше 5-ти тысяч человек каждый день. Некоторые города потеряли более 60% населения. На людей напала паника, они оставляли больных умирать без всякой помощи. А христиане продолжали помогать больным, увечным и даже чужим, показывая свою крепкую веру, сострадание и стойкость. Будем подражать древним христианам, показывая, что мы тоже достойны называться христианами. Будем помогать нуждающимся в помощи, оказывая любую поддержку, которую мы можем предложить – физическую или духовную. «Терпением вашим спасайте души ваши» (Лк.21:19).
 
+ Георгий, Епископ Канберрский
Администратор Австралийско-Новозеландской Епархии
Русской Православной Церкви Заграницей
 
Прошу читать нижеследующую молитву на каждой литургии и раздать копии мирянам, чтобы они могли добавить её к своим ежедневым молитвам.

For the fourth annual Pokrov Family Camp we are heading back to the YMCA-managed Mt Evelyn Recreation Camp, located in the hills just an hour out of Melbourne. 

Last year we enjoyed the flying fox and ropes course, as well as something called a ga-ga pit - and parents had some quality time pool side, thanks to a beautifully sunny afternoon. Of course, the highlight of the camp is the joyful and sombre vespers and liturgy, bonding with other like-minded Orthodox parents and seeing our kids enjoy themselves in the fresh air. 

As usual, the camp will begin on a Friday afternoon and wrap up after Sunday lunch and activities.
If you have any questions, or to register your family, please contact Dima and Ksana at pokrovretreat@gmail.com

Come decorate your very own kulich (sweet Easter bread) on Saturday 28 March 2020. The masterclass begins at 2pm in the church hall, 1-7 Albion Street, Brunswick East.
Bookings are essential. Please call Luba on 0411 090 550.

Dear Fathers and Mothers,

As many of you are aware, on 25th December, 2019, on the first anniversary of the repose of Fr. Seraphim Slade, while Matushka Helen was at her husband’s grave, their home tragically burnt down. Some of our faithful have already contributed to her support via a “gofundme” account set up in her name: https://www.gofundme.com/f/wnen7-supporting-matushka-helen-after-the-gunning-fire

Now I request that all of our parishes and monasteries make a special collection for her during this holy season, asking all of our faithful to help Matushka Helen in this very difficult time in her life.

Please send the collections to our diocesan office by 1st February 2020 and we will pass it on to her. I

greet you with the approaching feast of the Nativity of our Saviour!

​In Christ,

​Bishop George of Canberra Auxiliary Bishop of Australia and New Zealand Diocese Of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

On Sunday 20th October, His Grace Bishop George of Canberra celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Protection Cathedral in Melbourne during the week of the commemoration of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God.
 
Concelebrating with His Grace were Mitred Archpriest Nicholas Karipoff; Archpriests Nicholas Dalinkiewicz, Peter Sheko and Yaroslav Belikov; Priest Mark Woloszyn; Protodeacons Basil Kozulin and Alexander Abramoff; Deacons Emil Mishriky and Paul Baksheev. Guest clergy included Archpriest Fr. Boris Ignatievsky (Cabramatta), Fr. John Dimitrov and Fr. Paul Walliker ( Antiochian Orthodox Church).  As well as local parishioners there were guests from other parishes in Victoria.

In 1949, a meeting of migrants from post-war Germany was convened to establish the Parish of Our Lady’s Protection in Melbourne. Initially the parish rented church premises and in 1954 it purchased a former Anglican Church in Collingwood. For over 50 years regular services were held in Collingwood.

In 1989 a foundation laying ceremony was held for a new cathedral at a site in East Brunswick. With the generosity of parishioners who donated their time and money, a new Cathedral was constructed, and regular church services began at the new cathedral in 2006.  There is now a Church and community complex that all can be proud of.
After the Liturgy, Bishop George gave a sermon, calling the community to band together under Christ's banner and to find solace and comfort in God's love.
 
Awards were presented to Protodeacon Alexander Abramoff, Choirmasters Dimitri Souprounovich and Nicholas Cowall, Reader Gregory Metlenko and fundraising organiser Judy Oleinikov. 

After the service a festal banquet was held at L'Unica Receptions in West Brunswick.
 

September is a busy month in the liturgical calendar, with the liturgical new year marked on 1/14 September.

The first major feast to be celebrated in the liturgical new year is the Nativity of the Mother of God (21 September). The Holy Virgin Mary was born of her aged parents, Joachim and Anna. Her father was of the tribe of David and her mother of the tribe of Aaron, and so she was of royal blood from her father and priestly blood from her mother. By this, she foreshadowed Him who would be born of her as King and High Priest. ​

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (11 September)  a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast day because of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. In some Orthodox cultures pious people will not eat food from a flat plate, use a knife, or eat food that is round in shape on this day.

Please see the timetable for more details.

Friday August 16, 7.30pm 
Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God, Russian Orthodox Church
1-7 Albion Street Brunswick East
 
One of only three choral works by Rachmaninov, the All-Night Vigil (or Vespers) stands at the pinnacle of the sacred music of the Russian Orthodox tradition. Rachmaninov’s transformation of traditional Orthodox chants through Romantic period harmony is unmatched in its beauty and technique.
MCC’s music director, Alan Cook, is a specialist in Russian repertoire and language and will direct this unique performance in Melbourne’s most beautiful Orthodox church, the very setting for which the work was composed.
 
Bookings:          https://www.trybooking.com/BAJKF
https://www.trybooking.com/463325
 
 
Ticket prices:
$35- full price ($40 at the door)
$25- concession ($30 at the door)
$15- children under 12 years/ students

The Pokrov Cathedral, Melbourne is proud to present MOSCOW NIGHTS starring Melbourne Cappella Chamber Choir conducted by Nicholas Cowall. The choir, with bass Alexander Pokryshevsky, will be singing Shostakovich's satirical cantata 'Anti-Formalist Rayok', as well as Russian opera choruses, folk songs and patriotic war songs.

Sunday 15 September at 2pm

Glen Eira Town Hall
Cnr Glen Eira  and Hawthorn Rd,
Caulfield VIC

Tickets: $28/$35
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/BDHJQ
Enquiries: 0411 090 550