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

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