Dear Missioners & Friends,

Fr Marko will be serving the Liturgy, this Sunday at the Mission.

This will be his last Sunday before he leaves for Canada, possibly to stay there for a few months, or more.

It has been a blessing to have him with us these past two months.

His zeal to learn the language spoken in this nation so as to use it for mission and the Divine Services, makes him special.

Should it be the will and desire of the Holy Spirit, for Fr Marko to return to Melbourne permanently, it would be to our  benefit.

We also remind everyone that our “mini Patronal Feast” is on Sunday, 7^th March, 2010 – Veneration of the Holy Cross.

Fr Benjamin will be at the Mission from Saturday to Tuesday.

Many have inquired regarding the times for confession/ absolution with Fr Benjamin.

Please be mindful that the Services will not be interrupted for this Sacrament.

We suggest that the faithful come at least half an hour before a Service, or even come to the Mission on Monday from 7:00 am – 6:30 pm for confession/absolution or private talks.

The schedule for Holy Week will be sent out by email and posted to the website News page next week.

The Mission Board

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We are honoured to have received a collection of nine ‘matchstick’ models of Russian Churches donated by Mrs Elizabeth J. Harris.

This magnificent collection of intricately detailed models is understood to have been based on centuries-old Orthodox Churches which were destroyed by the communists during the Soviet-era.

The models were acquired by Mrs Harris, in Adelaide in the mid-1990s. The original model artist is not known.

We acknowledge and thank Dr Ann Abbott who presented these models to Holy Cross Mission in fulfillment of her mother’s wishes that they be preserved and displayed in an Orthodox Church connected with the Russian jurisdiction, yet not bound to the Russian language and culture. She wanted the beauty of these expressions of the Faith to be known and appreciated by a wider audience.

Holy Cross Mission uniquely fulfills her intention – an Orthodox community of all nations, living in contemporary English-speaking Australia, and under the canonical protection of Metropolitan Hilarion (ROCOR).

The models are in generally good condition and require only minor repairs and cleaning. We are investigating the best way to preserve and display these wonderful artifacts at the Mission in a manner fitting of their value.

A full set of photographs will be presented once the models are ready for display.

We would welcome learning more about the artist or details of the Churches depicted by the models. If anyone has knowledge of these, please contact the Mission Administrator. (info@australianorthodox.org )

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Today is the first Sunday in Lent, and together with the whole Church we celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy.

Icons were restored to their rightful place in the Services of the Church and the private devotional life of the Faithful by the 7th Ecumenical Council (Nicea, AD787).

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Dear Missioners & Friends,

A reminder that this Sunday, 14 February, 2010, the Holy Cross Australian Orthodox Mission, Inc., will be holding its Annual General Meeting.

Schedule for this day :

9:00 am                      3^rd & 6^th Hours

9:30 am                      Divine Liturgy [Fr Barnabas celebrating]

(Followed by):               Sunday Vespers of Forgiveness (complete service)

12:00 noon (approx)      AGM [held at the lunch room]

The Administrator of Holy Cross Orthodox Mission advises that “the AGM is for Mission Registered Members.” However, the “meeting is open to anyone who desires to attend”.  Also, only “Mission Registered Members can cast  a  vote and/or raise issues for discussion and consideration”.

On behalf of the Board:

As “we prepare ourselves to sail in the sea of the Fast” – Missioners & friends, forgive us sinners.

“The springtime of the Fast has dawned,
and the flower of repentance has sprung.
Therefore, O brethren,
let us purify ourselves from all defilement,
as we sing to the Giver of light:
~ Glory to you, O only Lover of mankind!”
[Apostiha, Tone 3]

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Dear Missioners and friends,

The Annual General Meeting of Holy Cross Mission will be held at the Mission on 14th February 2010, commencing shortly after the conclusion of Divine Liturgy and the Vespers of Forgiveness Sunday.

For further information, please contact the Administrator, at info@australianorthodox.org

In Christ,

the Mission Board

Tags: AGM, Announcements
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On 10 January, the Mission was blessed to have Father Marko and Deacon Father Christopher serve the Divine Liturgy of the Feast of the Nativity (belated).

It was our pleasure to welcome Fr Marko for the first time, and Dcn Fr Chris for one of his occasional visits.

.

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This week we celebrate the Feast of Theophany.


Services this week will be as normal,
with variations for Theophany
on Monday and Tuesday...

Monday (18 January)
7.00am Great Hours of Theophany
5.30pm Matins of Theophany

Tuesday (19 January)
7.00am Theophany (the Typica)
5.30pm Vespers (as usual)

Wednesday (20 January) - as usual
7.00am Matins
5.30pm Vespers

Thursday (21 January) - as usual
7.00am Matins
5.30pm Vespers

Friday - mission closed, as usual

Saturday (22 January)
5.00pm Great Vespers

Sunday (24 January)
9.00am 3rd Hour and 6th Hour services
9.30am Divine Liturgy (with Fr Marko)

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Dear Missioners and friends,

A reminder that the Mission does not follow the ‘western calendar’ for its services and will therefore be following our normal cycle of services this week. (21-25 December)

However, the Mission will be open on the morning of Friday 25th December for Matins and the morning Hours services.

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(updated 17 December)

Dear Missioners & Friends,

Fr Benjamin and Fr Barnabas will be serving at the Mission on week-ends for the month of December, according to the following schedule.

Sunday 6^th Fr Benjamin

Sunday 13^th Fr Barnabas

Sunday 20^th Fr Benjamin

Sunday 27^th Fr Barnabas

As per usual, the services will be:

We remind everyone that the Mission does not follow the Western calendar for its Services, and therefore the normal Weekly Schedule of Services continues during the week of Western Christmas [December 25^th].

The Mission will be open on Friday 25th December for Matins at 8am.

The Mission celebrates the Nativity of our Lord, on January 7^th.

Please note, the Mission will be closed from:

Monday,  December 28^th –  Saturday, January 2^nd, 2010 (inclusive).

The schedule of Services for January 2010 will be posted to all on our mailing list, as well as here on the website.

In Christ

the Mission Board

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Dear Missioners & Friends,

Fr Benjamin will be serving at the Mission this week.

A number of people have asked regarding Confession and Absolution.  Anyone may approach Fr Benjamin before or after a scheduled Service, but please be aware that the Divine Liturgy will not be interrupted once it has commenced. Fr Benjamin will also be will be manning the Mission on Monday, and will be available all day for personal and private consultations.

Schedule of Services:

With love and joy in the Lord.
The Mission Board

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