Funeral Of Olga Barbara

Today Olga Barbara's funeral was held in Gillion's Chapel.

A measure of the respect that she was held in was reflected in the number of people who turned out to farewell her.

Last night a service was held in St Michael's and this too was well attended.

She will be greatly missed by us all.

Please keep her family especially her sister Zita in your thoughts and prayers.

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Paschal Celebrations at St Michaels

On the Sunday of Pascha the Parish celebrated the feast in style in Saint Patrick's Church hall.

There was a large turnout and plenty of wonderful Easter fare on offer. There was great deal left over after everyone had sated themselves, despite the rigors of the Lentan fast now being over.

Sadly my camera is malfunctioning and so there are no photographs to share with our readers at this time.

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Christ is Risen!

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Acts 1:1-8
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 1:1-17
• 
  

Read His Eminence Archbishop Paul's Easter message here.

Truly he has risen!

Tagged:Pascha Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Memory Eternal: Olga Barbara

We are all saddened to hear that Olga Barbara died late on Thursday night.

Olga was a mainstay of our Parish for many years and will be sorely missed by us all.

Christ our eternal King and God, You have destroyed death and the devil by Your Cross and have restored man to life by Your Resurrection; give rest, Lord, to the soul of Your servant Olga who has fallen asleep, in Your Kingdom, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering. In Your goodness and love for all men, pardon all the sins she has committed in thought word or deed, for there is no man or woman who lives and sins not, You only are without sin.

For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and Repose of Your servant Olga, departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory with Your Eternal Father and Your All-holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit; both now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Amen

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Good Friday

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 5:6-8
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 27:62-66
  

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Holy Week Services at St Micheal the Archangel Church, dunedin

Since Fr Ilyan is still recuperating from major surgery the full schedule of services for Holy Week will not be possible this year.

Schedule of services

Wednesday April 23rd	6:30 pm Service of Holy Unction Healing Service
Thursday April 24th	6.30pm Service of The Twelve Passion Gospels
Good Friday April 25th	Royal Hours:	1st Hour: 7.am 3rd Hour: 9am 6th Hour: 12 noon 9th Hour & Typika: 3pm 6:30 Vespers and lamentations
Holy Saturday April 26th	9:30 Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St.Basil
Holy Saturday evening	from 8pm - Easter Celebrations, Paschal Orthros Paschal Divine Liturgy of St.John Chrysostom Blessing of First Fruits
Pascha April 27th	10 am Agape Vespers, no other services

Paschal Celebration : Easter Sunday 12noon onwards

St. Patrick’s Parish Centre , McAndrew Road , Sth Dunedin.

A gold coin Donation for use of the facility would be appreciated.

Please let all Orthodox around Dunedin & Otago know that the Easter Services and this function are being held !

Bring yourselves , your families , drinks & food and let us celebrate Easter together as St.Michael’s Orthodox Community.

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sunday of the Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Philippians 4:4-9
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 12:1-18
  

Great Lent has ended and Passion week begins as we remember Our Lord's entry into Jerusalem today.

A week from today we will be celebrating the greatest feast in the Church's Calendar, Pascha.

But there are members of our Parish who are in struggle and may not be able to join us when we celebrate Our Lord's Resurrection next week.

Those in need of our prayers and support

• Archpriest Ilyan


• Olga


• Luba


• June

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Priest Columba


• Maria

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

The Divine Liturgy celebrated in Nelson for the first time

The Orthodox Christians of Nelson were delighted to be able to attend the Divine Liturgy yesterday, possibly first time it has been celebrated in that city.

The Celebrant was His Eminence Archbishop of New Zealand and Exarch of Oceania Amfilochios, Adamantios Tsoukos.

The service was conducted in English, Greek with some Church Slavonic and catered for the Orthodox of that city from all jurisdictions.

The Anglican community of Nelson have been very supportive in supplying the venue.

The Anglican Bishop of Nelson Rt Rev Richard Ellena, and Chairman of the Friends of Bishopdale, Rev Alec Brown also attended this service.

Hopefully the support this service received will lead to a more regular schedule of services for Nelson.

Source: The Nelson Mail - Emotional response to Orthodox service

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Nelson, New Zealand

Fifth Sunday of Lent: St Mary of Egypt

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Hebrews 9:11-14
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45

Today we remember Righteous Mother Mary of Egypt who stands before us as a model for repentance.

Her feast is celebrated on the 1^st of April but we commemorate her today as our minds turn to our own repentance for our failings as we move toward Pascha.

Another Saint commemorated today is St Martin the Confessor, a Pope of Rome who suffered great indignities for staying true to the faith in the face of imperial opposition to him.

Fr Ilyan's return to us

Earlier this week it looked as though Fr Ilyan would need to undergo further surgery and might possibly have to remain in hospital for several weeks more, probably being there for Pascha.

A corner has been turned and the great news is that he returned home last night.

If he is able he intends to celebrate the Divine Liturgy today.

He has been sorely missed and we are thrilled to have him back and that he will be able to celebrate Pascha with us.

He still needs to recuperate and should be encouraged to take it slowly but I suspect he will continue in the manner he always has, working too hard even in times of great trial.

Those in need of our prayers

• The Archpriest Ilyan


• Olga Barbara


• June Sim

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Nancy


• Seraphine

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Fourth Sunday of Lent: Father John Climacus

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Hebrews 6:13-20
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Hebrews Mark 9:17-31

On the fourth Sunday in lent we commemorate St John Climacus, St John of the Ladder.

His actual Feast Day is on March the 30^th. However since this almost always falls in Lent, on the 4^th Sunday in Lent we commemorate him in the Divine Liturgy. He set a great example of Christian asceticism from which we can learn especially as we progress through Lent towards Pascha.

Services today

Fr Ilyan remains in hospital and will unable to celebrate the Divine Liturgy today.

The service of Sunday Orthros will be held at 10:30 at St Michaels.

Those in need of our prayers

As previously mentioned Father Ilyan is still in hospital recovering from his surgery.

Olga Barbara remains in St Andrews rest home.

June Sim was also briefly hospitalized this week and is now recovering at home.

Please remember them all in your prayers.

The Departed we Commemorated today

Kristin
Assid
Seraphine
Nicholas
Maria

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

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

Fr Ilyan's surgery is tomorrow

Just a reminder Father Ilyan is due to undergo surgery tomorrow.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.


Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

New Archdiocese website

The Archdiocese has a new website.

Antiochian Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand

Metropolitan Archbishop Paul's Welcoming statement for the new site Welcoming statement for the new site

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand

Second Sunday of Lent

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from: Hebrews 1:10-14,2:1-3
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from: Mark 2:1-12, John 10:9-16

For our Western Brethren in Christ today is Easter Sunday.

It is the second Sunday of Lent for us, however, and is also known as the Sunday of Gregory Palamas (1296-1359), Archbishop of Thessalonica, whose feast is commemorated on November the 14th, the day of his repose.

We attach his name to today because of his defence of Orthodoxy in the 14th Century, particularly an issue regarding knowing God as a matter of reason rather than personal Faith.

His victory over those who would treat Christianity as a matter of philosophy rather than that of Faith and is sometimes called the second triumph of Orthodoxy.



Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Those in need of our Prayers

Father Ilyan will be undergoing surgery on Thursday this week.

Fr George of the Auckland Mission is also in hospital.

Olga Barbara

Please remember them in your prayers

The Departed we commemorated today

• Metropolitan Laurus


• Archpriest Alexey


• Ankitsa


• Alexander

Fr George Bosauder

We have just heard that the Reverend Father George Bosauder of the Auckland Mission of St George is ill and in hospital.

Please keep him in your thoughts and Prayers.


Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Metropolitan Laurus, Memory Eternal

Metropolitan Laurus (1928-2008)

His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, reposed on the Sunday of Orthodoxy at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York.

Tagged:Orthodoxy, Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sunday of Orthodoxy

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Hebrews 11:24-26,32-40
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 1:43-51
  

Today is the first Sunday of Lent, also commemorated as the "Triumph of Orthodoxy."

This recalls the Seventh Ecumenical council's restoration of the Icons in 843 and marks the victory of those who held with Orthodoxy over the modernists of that era, the iconoclasts.

Of course the iconoclasts have never truly vanished. They are still with us. One of the areas they are active today is in the modification and revision of Holy Scripture.

We have the Jesus Seminar, for example, who have taken it upon themselves to review the Gospels and decide whether the words of Our Lord recorded in them are were actually his or later additions by some unknown author.

Using their arcane procedures they have concluded the Gospel according to St John is almost entirely a later fabrication.

And are you surprised to learn that you could, if you so wish, purchase a Gay and Lesbian study Bible?

So although today we celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy, in reality it is under attack as it ever was.

No liturgy Sunday 30^th of March

As previously reported Father Ilyan will be undergoing surgery on the 27^th of March and will be in hospital for about a week.

This means that he will be unable to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sunday the 30^th.

The service of Typika will be conducted by Father Andrei.

We have been very fortunate that Father Ilyan has managed to celebrate the Divine Liturgy virtually every week despite undergoing an extensive regime of chemotherapy over the past months, sometimes doing so when quite unwell.

Please remember him in your prayers.

Dunedin Hospital's Chaplaincy Service Street Appeal
This will be held on Friday April 11^th 2008
See the appeals section on the sidebar for details.

If you can assist as a collector or a coordinator, both urgently needed, please contact

Amanda Guy
Chaplaincy Administrator/Fundraiser

Phone 474 0999 ext 8130
or Email her at amanda.guy@healthotago.co.nz

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Peter
• Grigori
• Parasceva
• Athena
• Fanka
• Alexandros
  

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand