​The recent Sisterhood AGM, held on Sunday November 24, was a significant occasion with head Sister, Lubov Nikolaevna Cowall, deciding to step down. Luba has taken on this challenging role for nearly two decades, with her crowning effort being the 75th anniversary celebrations for our parish this year.  In his recent article for the Diocese, the rector, Fr Nicholas Karipoff, noted the achievements of the Sisterhood under Luba’s leadership. A great deal has been done in various projects by the Sisterhood for the parish, charitable work for monasteries and help for the needy. The task of leading the Sisterhood is enormous; it requires a huge time commitment and diverse skill set and is physically and logistically challenging.  Luba has taken on this challenge tirelessly and has acquired a vast reservoir of knowledge in many aspects of parish life. Luba is now looking forward to some extensive travel in the coming months and enjoying some more leisurely socialising!  We extend a warm thankyou to Luba for having devoted so much of her time and energy to Sisterhood and church life.
 
A note of thanks too, to the outgoing Sisterhood secretary, Olga Bursian, who has taken on the role for several years.  Olga has been tireless in her assistance to the Head Sister during this time, and her contribution has been much appreciated.  
 
Congratulations to the newly elected Sisterhood committee:
Head Sister – Valentina Brjozovsky
Deputy Head – Elena Sosnik
Treasurer – Marta Bialocerkowski (continuing in the role from previous years)
Secretary – m Nicole Baksheev
The Sisterhood are an integral part of keeping our parish running smoothly and often their work is done in the background rather than being on show.   Our parish is fortunate to have such a group of resilient and capable workers.  God willing, our Sisterhood will grow from strength to strength in the future! 

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Sunday July 21, 2024
His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, first Hierarch of the Russian Church outside Russia, will make his inaugural visit to Australia in July. He will serve Liturgy at Holy Protection Cathedral on Sunday July 21, which will be followed  with a luncheon in the hall afterwards. Tickets for the lunch can be bought from the candle kiosk at church.  
Adults $30, children 15 & under: $15
The cut-off date for bookings is Sunday July 7 (or earlier if all seats have been sold).

Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky) was born to Russian immigrant parents in New Jersey, US.  In 1998, he graduated from Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY, where he received a Bachelor of Theology Degree.   In 2000, he graduated from the State University of New York Technology School, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Information & Communications. In 2014, he received monastic tonsure and given the name "Nicholas" after the Holy Hierarch Nicholas of Japan, and was elevated to the rank of archimandrite two weeks later.  In 2022, following the repose of Metropolitan Hilarion, Archimandrite Nicholas was appointed acting ruling bishop of the Eastern American Diocese by decree of the Synod of Bishops.  A few months later, in September 2022, Bishop Nicholas was elected and confirmed First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) by the Council of Bishops and the holy Synod. 

Metropolitan Nicholas has been appointed as caretaker of the miracle-working Kursk-root icon of the Mother of God
'of the sign'  The icon dates back to the thirteenth century and is venerated for the many miracles and help given by the Mother of God.
In the year 1295, the icon was found by a hunter in Kursk, a province of Russia that had been recently devastated by the Tartar invasion and left in ruins. As the hunter picked up the icon, lying face down on the soil next to a tree root, the image straight away gushed with pure spring water.  Over time, a chapel was built at the site.  In 1383 the province was again invaded by Tartars who attempted unsuccessfully to burn the chapel containing the icon; they piled wood all around it but the chapel refused to burn.  Centuries later, in 1828, another group of anarchists tried to destroy the icon which was then housed in the Kursk Cathedral of the Sign.  They  placed a time bomb in the Cathedral which caused massive destruction.  However,  the holy icon remained intact and even the glass within the frame remained whole. Thinking to destroy the icon, the anarchists had, on the contrary, become the cause of its greater glorification.  There are many miraculous accounts of the icon which continued through the Bolshevik revolution to the present day.  You can read the full history of the icon here: eadiocese.org/kurskrooticon
It has long been the custom of the Synod that the Kursk-root icon be sent regularly to visit all the dicoeses of the ROCOR, being venerated in the Divine Services of their parishes and visiting the homes of the faithful. The icon also makes visits to other parts of the world, where the faithful often arrive in their tens of thousands to venerate it.

Friday, September 13, 2024. 7:30pm.  
​This concert is part of our 75th anniversary celebrations.

 Friday August 2, 2024, Melbourne Town Hall
 
Echoes of the Volga - A Night of Passion, Faith and Folklore!
Experience the mesmerising harmonies of the Russian Orthodox Male Choir of Australia (ROMCA) as the choir graces Melbourne with a soul-stirring and captivating concert for the very first time!
Following their triumphant tours across Sydney, Brisbane, Tasmania, Canberra, and their acclaimed performances overseas across Europe and the USA, this multi-award-winning ensemble brings their unparalleled artistry to the iconic Melbourne Town Hall on Friday 2nd August 2024.