The Mission began in 2003 as a lay initiative by committed Orthodox Christians, and is supported by those who are zealous to bring the true Universal Orthodox Faith to all.

We are modern Australians – a fraternity of Orthodox lay people, monastics and clergy, from many nations and backgrounds. The Mission is open to all – from every nation and background – we are not ethno-specific.

If you are an English-speaking Orthodox Christian seeking a spiritual home in the city, or have already begun a journey of faith in another spiritual tradition and wish to explore the faith and life of Orthodox Christianity, or are just curious (What is this all about?), we humbly invite you: Come walk with us! Come worship with us!

The best gift we can give to you and our nation, is the message of hope and salvation: that Jesus Christ is God, He came and lived among us, was raised from the dead, and that eternal reconciliation and union with God is a real, life-transforming possibility to be embraced by all who would receive His gift.

Transformed lives involve the renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2)and therefore the Church services must be understood completely. All of our services are therefore in contemporary English.

… preaching cannot cease; divine worship is fulfilled according to correct rite and in an edifying manner; iconography is uplifting and pious and the singing is sober, simple and reverent. The fulfillment of this is the responsibility of those who serve. It is necessary to speak out, not just in churches but also in homes, using every opportunity to describe the Divine Reality, and expose the seduction of our soul by the illusions of the mind and body. St Theophan the Recluse, The Path to Salvation

At Holy Cross we seek to worship in a manner consistent with the Orthodox Tradition – we change nothing. We believe, as the Church has always taught, that the correct conduct of true worship must be known, practiced and passed on to the next generation of the Faithful.

Holy Cross Mission has grown from the vision passed on from Archimandrite Lazarus (Moore) and you can read more about our origins here.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit inaugurated the dawn of the New Covenant Church when all heard and understood the mighty acts of God in their own language and dialect. This imperative was set by God himself.

=The core and heartbeat of Holy Cross Mission is worship =

Aims of the Mission

We are pursuing our mission through the two-fold imperative that Jesus Christ gave to His Church, and which the Church has adhered to since the day of Pentecost:

To feed the sheep – those who are already part of the Christian ‘flock’ – with the liturgical, sacramental life of the Orthodox Christian Faith. (John 21:17, Acts 2:42)

And, …if possible, communities may found charitable and educational establishments, such as old people’s homes, orphanages, theological schools; also hospitals and clinics.*

 

To go and make disciples of all the nations. Not just “believers” – but disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20)

To train and instill to every believer that; “the main occupation of a true Orthodox believer is prayer, both in Church and privately. The Church services must therefore be the main focus of every Christian . . and the object of zeal. As far as possible, daily services must be held. . . the complete cycle. Attendance at the Divine Liturgy is primary.*

 

Mission Life

i. All public services of Orthodox worship are celebrated in the best and clearest language of the people of Australia: contemporary English.

ii. We provide an expression of Orthodox life and witness which is thoroughly consistent with Orthodox Apostolic Tradition.

iii. Our doors are open for the benefit of those passing by who need a place for peace, or want to enquire about the Faith of the Apostles.

iv. The Mission is actively involved in assisting members in our community, without discrimination, through charitable acts and benevolent services for those in need. This is being done in accordance with the directive of Paul the Apostle: “Therefore while we have time, let us do good to everyone, but especially to those who are of the Household of the Faith”. [Galatians 6:10].

v. By being next door to the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (Melbourne CBD office), we are able to help new arrivals, immigrants and refugees (who desire to be helped), with practical needs.

vi. The Mission Bookstore is a centre where Orthodox books, pamphlets, CDs and other edifying resources are readily available to everyone who comes to the Mission.

vii. Above all, we undertake prayerful intervention for our nation and government; its cities and towns, and the natural environment, according to the conventions contained in all the services of the Orthodox Church, especially the Divine Liturgy.
 
 
 
 
 

*Notes from the Synod of bishops of ROCOR, Nov. 12, 1959.