After-Feast of The Holy Dormition of our Most Blessed and Glorious Lady

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34
  

The Saints we commemorate today

• Holy Hieromartyr Myron
• St.Alypios the Iconographer

The Living in need of our prayers

• the Archpriest Ilyan
• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga
• June

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Mary
• Alexander
• George
• Pilip
• Sadie
• Laura

Garage Sale next Saturday

Don't forget the garage sale to raise funds for the Church is happening next Saturday.

Any gifts for this will be appreciated.

After Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos

Last Friday the Church celebrated the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, one of the twelve great feasts of the Church.

Church tradition tells us that when Mary died, as all humans must, all of the Apostles were present excepting Thomas.

When he arrived a few days later he asked to see her and thus her tomb was opened and it was found her body was no longer present but had been assumed into Heaven, a foretaste of our own resurrection at Christ's second coming.



Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Eighth Sunday of Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St Paul to the Corinthians, 1:10-17
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of St Matthew, 14:14-22
  

The Saints Commemorated today

• The Holy Martyr Laurence , Archdeacon of Rome
• St.Geraint , the Confessor
• St.Blane , the Hierarch.
  

The Living in need of our prayers

• Archpriest Ilyan
• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga
• June
  

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Pandeilu
• Margareta
• Vladimir
• Tamara
• Constantine

Garage Sale

A garage sale will be held on Saturday the 23^rd 0f August to raise funds for the Church.
Gifts of items suitable for sale will be gratefully received.

Please leave your gifts with Matushka Mary as soon as possible to allow plenty of preparation time for this event.


Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

A Letter to our youth From Metropolitan Paul

In the Book of Acts, Jesus said to his disciples:” You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you”!

On the Pentecost Day (50 days after Resurrection), the Holy Spirit came down and filled all those who were in the upper room.

(As was promised).

By the new power, the disciples and others went to every corner of the known world preaching, teaching and baptising.

(As were commanded).

The church from that day on kept proclaiming the marvels of God and calling all people to faith, love and new life in Christ.



Today, more than anytime in the two thousand years history the Church is calling you to open your hearts to the same power of the Holy Spirit and to the richness of his gifts, asking you, as a new generation of apostles to come forward and catechise and bring the world to Christ.

Jesus promised his disciples before his ascension; “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you”. The same promise is directed to you today, you who are baptised and confirmed by the gift of the Holy Spirit during baptism and in every Liturgy.

-2-

What is the power of the Holy Spirit and what did it means? It is the power of God’s life. It is the power of the same spirit which Jesus sent to stay with us and in us. It is the same spirit and the same power which points us and our words towards the living of the Gospel and towards the coming of the kingdom of God, the Church, brothers and sisters, Christ’s body, and living community of love, embracing people of every race, nations, and tongue, of every time and place. In the unity born of our faith is the risen Lord. This power of the spirit, will never cease to fill the Chruch with life.

Yet this power, the grace of the spirit is not something we earn or achieve, but it is given to us as a gift.

God’s love can only unleash its power when we allow Him to change us from within. We have to allow Him to break through the hard crust of our indifference, our spiritual weariness, our blind conformity to the spirit of age and our self-love. The daily prayer, the private prayer, and the sacramental prayer are the means to achieve His love and gift. In the power of His spirit, Jesus is there always in our hearts, quietly waiting for us to be still with Him, to hear his voice, to abide in his love and to receive power from on high, enabling us to be His disciples. He told them:” You will be my witness to the end of the earth”!! The same He is telling you today.

-3-

Let me ask you some questions: - Are you his disciples?

Do you know his word? What are you going to leave to the next generation? Are you building your lives on firm foundation? Are you living your lives in a way that open up a space for the spirit to come in, to a world that want to forget about him, or even reject him in the name of falsely conceived freedom? How are you using the gifts you have been given? What legacy will you leave to young people of the future? What difference will you make?

Do you curse the darkness or light a candle?

Are your hearts searching and will not find peace until they rest in Him? (Augustine)



The power of the Holy Spirit directs us to the future, to the coming of the Kingdom of God. It can creates a new world, a new generation of Christians called to help build a world in which God’s gift of life is welcomed, respected and cherished, or rejected in fear. A new age in which love is not greedily or self-seeking but pure, faithful and genuinely free. Open to others, respectful of their dignity, seeking their good, initiating joy and beauty. A new age in which hope liberates us from the shallowness, apathy and self-love which deaden our souls and poison our relationships, and destroy our families.

-4-

Friends:-

The Lord is asking you to be His disciples to this new age, messengers of his love, drawing people to Him and building a future of hope for all humanity. The world needs you, there is a spiritual desert there and it is spreading an interior emptiness, a quiet sense of despair. How many of young you know, friends, relatives and family members, who have got lost because of their trust and hope of the world promises? Jesus love is the only and real liberating gift.



The Church needs you, needs your power, your faith, your idealism and your generosity. It needs you to carry the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world refusing of God’s Grace. Are you listening to your calling? Come forth and repeat with prophet Isaiah:” Here I am Lord, send me”.

Do not be afraid to say “Yes” to Jesus, to find your joy in doing His will, giving yourselves to the persecute of holiness in the service of the others.

May God bless all of you.

+Paul

Metropolitan Archbishop Paul
Primate of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 15:1-7
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35
  
  

Saints commemorated today

• The Righteous Fathers Isaac, Dalmatos and Faustos , Abbots in Constantinople
• St.Anthony the Roman , Wonderworker in Novgorod
• St.Trea , the Recluse

Those in need of our prayers

• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga
• June
• Matushka Mary

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Alexander
• Thomas
• Deab

Transfiguration, August the 6^th

Next Wednesday, August the 6^th, is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ.

This is one of the twelve great feasts of the Orthodox church.

This feast highlights the Divinity of Christ, and helped the Disciples understand after the Ascension that he was truly God, sent from the God the father

It also points towards our eventual re-unification with God, Θεωσις (Theosis).

Mathew 17:1-8

1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 9:1-8
  

• Great martyr and healer Panteleimon New-martyr Christodoulos
• Clement of Ochrid
• Angelar
• Gorazd
• Nahum
• Sabbas

The Living in need of our Prayers

• Archpriest Ilyan
• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga
• June

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Polya
• Josephine-May

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 2:14-28
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 14:21-24
  

• The Holy Glorious Prophet Elijah the Tishbite
• St.Ethelwida , widow of King Alfred the Great
• St.Abramius , Disciple of St.Sergius of Radonezh
• St.Alexis (Medvedkov , of Russia . 1934)
• New Martyrs of Russia
• Nun Maria Skobtsova (1945)
• Priest Dmitri Klepinin (1944)
• Elias Fondaminsky (1944)
• George Skobtsov (1944)

No Liturgy next week

A reminder that Fr Iyan and Khouria Mary will be in Auckland next week, so there will be no Divine Liturgy Sunday the 27th.

Fr Andrei will take the Typica service starting at 10 am

The Living in need of our prayers

• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga
• June

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Kate
• Margareta
• Venelin
• Maria
  

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sunday of the Holy Fathers: Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 5:14-19
  

Remembered on this Day

• Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils
• 
  
• The Synaxis of The Archangel Gabriel
• 
  
• St.Stephen of Mar Savvas Monastery
• 
  
• St.Just , the Monk in Cornwall
  

Orthodox Study Bibles & Notices

Fr Ilyan has a few of these left. If you haven't got yours yet please contact him. The cost is $55:00.

Don't forget items for the garage sale next month.

The Living in need of our prayers

• Kathleen
  
• Luba
• Olga Soroka
• June
  

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Kathleen (Coulson)
• Nicolas
• John
  

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Third Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 5:1-11
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 6:22-33
  

Today we also remember

• All Saints of Great Britain
• Our Holy Father St. Sisoes the Great
• St.Monenna , ‘Daughter of Elijah’
• The New Martyrs of The Turkish Yoke
• The New Martyrs & Confessors of Bulgaria

The living in need of our prayers

• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga Soroka
• June

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Archbishop Alexei Abdul – Karem
• Priest Michael (Coumbias . Akld)
• Nina
• Eleni
• Boris
• Margaret

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Second Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 11:21-33; 12:1-9
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 16:13-19

On this Sunday we remember the Apostles St Peter and St Paul

We also commemorate

• The Saints of Russia
  


• The Saints of Romania
  


• The Saints of the holy mountain Athos

Orthodox Study Bibles

Fr Ilyan has now received the new edition of the Orthodox Study Bible.

These are in English with commentaries throughout. The cost is $55 dollars.

To obtain your copy contact Fr Ilyan.

Garage sale reminder

As mentioned last week Khouria Mary is organizing a garage sale for next month.

Any items you have to contribute will be gratefully received, so check out your attics, cellars and woodsheds for things you no longer need and bring them to the Church or Presbytery.

The Living in need of our Prayers

• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga Soroka
• June

The Departed we Commemorated today

• George
  
• Annis
• Leslie-John
  

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sunday after Pentecost - All Saints Sunday

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38; 19:27-30
  

On the first Sunday after Pentecost we remember the Saints those known to us and those known only to God.

Also commemorated today are

• St Alban
  Protomartyr of Great Britain
  


• St.Eusebios the Confessor
  Bishop of Samosata
  

The Apostles Fast

The Apostles fast begins tomorrow and lasts until the Feast of St Peter and St Paul which falls on the the 29^th of June, a week from today.

Lectionaries, Calendars and Prayerbooks

Contact Fr Ilyan if you are interested in obtaining any of these.

Fr Ilyan is also obtaining copies of the the latest edition of the Orthodox Study Bible. See him if you are interested in in buying a copy.

Garage Sale

Khouria Mary is organizing a garage sale in mid August, date to be announced, to raise money for the Church.

If you have items to donate please give them to Khouria Mary or leave them at the Church.

The living in need of our prayers

• Luba
• June
• Kathleen
• Olga Soroka

The Departed we Commemorated today

• John
• David
• Jacob
• Phyllis
  

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Pentecost - the 8th Sunday of Pascha

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 7:37-52; 8:12
  

Pentecost, the birth of our Church as recorded in the section from the Acts of the Apostles we read today in our Church.

This occurred fifty days after the resurrection and our commemoration of this event on this day is one of the Twelve Great Feasts in the Calendar of the Orthodox Church.

Also commemorated today are

• Holy Prophet Amos
• St.Lazarus , King of Serbia & All the New Martyrs of Serbia.
• St.Jonah , Metropolitan of Moscow

Eighth Anniversary of Fr Ilyan's elevation to the rank of Archpriest

Fr Ilyan was elevated to the rank of Archpriest by His Eminence Metropolitan Paul on the Feast of Pentecost 2000, the 18^th of June of that year. So today marks his eight year as an Archpriest.

I am sure all parishioners wish him well on this occasion, many of whom are celebrating the Feast of Pentecost by sharing lunch with him and Khouria Mary to mark both events.

Gathering of the Canterbury Parishes of our Archdiocese to celebrate Pentecost

The Antiochian Orthodox Parishes of Canterbury are gathering today to celebrate Pentecost at the Antiochian Orthodox Mission in Christchurch.

Following the Divine Liturgy they will feast together before attending a mini symposium, organized by Fr Jack, in the afternoon.

The living in need of our prayers

• Zita and her Family
• June
• Andy and the Sim Family
• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga Soroka

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Metropolitan Paul Bandally
• Olga
• Tom
• Sarah
• Elias
• Les
• Jacob
• Peter
  
• Yelena
• George

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Mini symposium of the Antiochian Orthodox community of Canterbury

The Antiochian Orthodox parishes of Canterbury will gather to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost together (Sunday the 15^th of June) at the The Antiochian Orthodox Mission in Christchurch.

The Agenda for this event is

Proskomide: 9:30 AM

If you wish to offer Prosphora please arrive in plenty of time for this to be prepared before the Divine liturgy.

The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom: 10:00 AM

Celebrants: Fr Michael and Fr Jack.

Bring a plate Lunch

Afternoon Program

Welcome by MC: Fr Dn Max.

Address on the Rublev icon of the Holy Trinity: Fr Michael.

The Kingdom of God: Fr Dn Keith.

Proposal for a Women's group: Mother Julia, and Lynette Hardie-Wills,
with discussion of forward planning for our whole Canterbury Mission.

Summary (and address) : Fr Jack

Contacts:	Fr Jack	Ph: (03) 313 5673 Email: Fr Jack
	Fr Michael	Ph: (03) 329 4674 Email: Fr Michael
	Fr Victor	Ph: (03) 981 7796 Email: Fr Victor

7th Sunday of Pascha : After-Feast of The Ascension

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from: The Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18,28-36
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from: John 14:10-21
  

Last Thursday was the the Great Feast of the Ascension of Christ, celebrated forty days after Pascha.

Today we also remember the holy Fathers of the first Council of Nicea in 325 AD.

The Translation of the Relics of The Great Martyr Theodore the General

St .Ephraim , Patriarch of Antioch (545)

New Martyr Theophanes . (1588)

• Metropolitan Paul Bandally

A Trisagion will be held in all parishes of our Archdiocese for

• His blessed Memory Metropolitan Paul Bandally

who died last week.

The living in need of our prayers

• Zita and her Family
• June
• Andy and his Family
• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga Soroka

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Metropolitan Paul Bandally
• Olga
• Tom
• Sarah
• Elias
• Les
• Jacob
• Peter

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sunday of the Blind Man

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Acts 16:16-34
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 9:1-38

Today we recall the restoration of sight to the man who had been blind from birth, another healing which angered the Pharisees, for it took place on the Sabbath, involved clay and spit all of which broke the ritual laws of the Jews.

On Wednesday we will celebrate the Leavetaking of Pascha.

Next Thursday is Ascension of Our Lord, one of the 12 Major Feasts of the Orthodox Church, celebrated forty days after Pascha.

The Living in need of our prayers

• June
• Kathleen
• Luba

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Martha
• Dmitri
• Georgeos
• Eleni
• Saidie
• George
  

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from 2 Corinthians 4:6-15
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 4:5-42
  

Holy Photini, Svetlana in Russian, is remembered today. Her name means "enlightened one" and was given to her by the Apostles at her baptism.

Today's Gospel reading recounts of her meeting with Christ at Jacob's well, after which she repented and became a great evangelist for the Church.

She was martyred in 66 AD during Nero's persecution of the Church.

The Living in need of our prayers

• June
• Luba
• Kathleen
• Olga Soroka

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Helen
• Tony
• Gennardi
• Vasili

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sunday of the Paralytic

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Acts 9:32-42
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 5:1-15
  

Today we remember the miracle of the healing of the paralyzed man at the pool at Bethesda. The Gospel tells us that Jesus told the man to take up his pallet and walk.

The Saints Commemorated today

Holy Martyrs

• Peter
• Dionysios
• Christina
• Andrew
• Paul
• Benedimos
• Paulinos
• Heraclios

Those in need of our prayers

• Olga Soroka
• June
• Kathleen Ayoub
• Luba

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Tony
• Lydia
• Annis
• Innokenty

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sunday of the Myrrh bearing women

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Acts 6:1-7
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Mark 15:43–16:8
  

On the Second Sunday after Pascha we remember the Myrrh bearing women.

They arrived at the tomb to anoint the body of Christ only find the tomb was empty.

It was they who first bough the joyful news of Christ's resurrection.

St Joseph of Arimathea, who provided the tomb for Christ's body and St Nicodemus are also commemorated this day.

Orthodox Study Bibles

A new version of this is now available. The cost is $55.

If you would like a copy contact Fr Ilyan.

The Living in need of our prayers

• Zita
• June
• Kathleen Ayoub

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Havronia
  
• James
• Argeo

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Thomas Sunday: the Second Sunday of Pascha

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Acts 5:12-20
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 20:19-31
  

The end of Bright Week and tonight the Royal Doors which have been open all week will be closed. The past week has been considered as one day in the life of the Church.

The other saints we celebrate today are Martyr Pelagia of Rome and St.Scannel, the Monk.

The Living in need of our prayers

The recently bereaved relatives of Olga Barbara

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Archimandrite Nicholas
• Olga
  
• Sadie
  
• Natalia
  
• Vasily
  
• Ingraham-Ernest
  

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

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