Father Ilyan update

I was able to visit Fr Ilyan on Tuesday night.

Unfortunately he has developed a chest infection and was breathing with the help of oxygen. hopefully this will clear soon.

He remains cheerful in his adversity and is receiving support from many quarters. The hospital chaplaincy is worth particular mention, please remember their street appeal on the 11^th of this month (Friday week).

Matushka Mary E-mailed last night.

Father is progressing well, looking better tonight.

He is still fighting a lung infection and remains on a fluid diet.

He managed to eat most of his soup tonight so that is progress!

Please keep up the Prayers, especially that he can be well for Easter.

Matushka Mary.

Please pray for Fr Ilyan, that he may recover quickly and soon be returned to us.

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Grant's move to Invercargill

All parishioners of St Michael's will be familiar with Grant.

He was baptized in St Michael's and has been a core member of the Church serving at Divine Liturgy every Sunday and Feast Day for the past three years or so.

Grant is moving to Invercargill today to take up a new job, a wonderful new opportunity for him has presented itself down there.

But he will be sorely missed by us all, as will his banana cake - something he bought every Sunday to hand out at the end of the Liturgy and to be enjoyed with coffee.

Grant will still be associated with our Church and Parish - and will be serving for Fr Ilyan when he celebrates the Divine Liturgy in Invercargill.

I am sure we all wish him the best of luck in his new job.

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Third Sunday of Lent: Veneration of the cross

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Paul's letter to the Hebrews 4:14-5:6
  
• Gospel: The Reading is from the Gospel according to St Mark 8:34-9:1
  

As we reach the halfway point of Great Lent our eyes turn to the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It is laid out in the Church surrounded by flowers and above the Cross and Icon of Christ representing His glory.

We sing the hymn "We venerate Your Cross, O Christ, and Your holy Resurrection we glorify".

Our preparation as we move toward Pascha continues.

Fr Ilyan

Fr Ilyan's surgery seems to have gone well. He is out of bed and though in pain appears to be healing well.

It is hoped he will be discharged from hospital 3-5 days.

Please remember him in your thoughts and prayers.

Reminder: Due to Fr Ilyan's illness, there will be no Liturgy this morning.

Fr Andrei will be conducting Typika and the Veneration of the Cross.

Interfaith meeting at St Margaret's College
The University Chaplaincy organized an interfaith meeting last Friday evening to introduce students new to Dunedin the places of worship our city provides. Many faith groups were represented including us, through Fr Andrei.

Fr Andrei met with several Orthodox students in the course of the evening. He intends to maintain contact with them and meet with other students who share our faith that we may serve their needs.

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Archpriest Alexey
• Priest Milavoi
• Antonious
• Saied
• Elias
• Maria
• Natalia

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand