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

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