Our next services will be Matins at 6.00pm on Saturday 19 January and Divine Liturgy at 9.00am on Sunday 20 January, the Afterfeast of Theophany.  As we will not have services on the morning of Friday 18 January or Saturday 19 January, the Great Blessing of Water will be served at the end of Divine Liturgy on Sunday 20 January.  Regrettably, there will be no blessing of homes this year.

On Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 February 2019 our parish will hold its Seventh Annual Fishing Competition.  This year, the competition will take place at Patonga on the Central Coast.  Competitors will contend for the honour of holding aloft the prestigious Saint Panteleimon Russian Orthodox Community of Gosford perpetual trophy, arguably the most sought-after prize in the world of Russian Orthodox competitive fishing.  More information including details of the location and the competition rules is available here.  See also the Gosford Russian Church Fishing Competition Facebook page.

On Sunday 6 January we had services for the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ and in honour of the Holy Fathers, the ancestors of Christ from Adam to Joseph the Betrothed, together with the Righteous Ones of the Old Testament who lived in expectation of His coming.  As our parish rector was recovering following surgery there was no service on Saturday evening and Priest Michael Storozhev – a cleric of the Saints Peter and Paul Diocesan Cathedral in Strathfield – presided at Divine Liturgy and Vespers of the Nativity of Christ on Sunday.

On Monday 31 December the Dean of New South Wales, Mitred Archpriest Nikita Chemodakov, presided at the funeral service in our church of Alexandra Sorokina.  Alexandra, who departed this life on 20 December, having received Holy Communion and anointing with oil on the previous day, was 90 years of age.  She was afterwards laid to rest at Point Clare Cemetery.  We offer our heartfelt condolences to Alexandra’s daughter Elena, son-in-law Ilia, and grandson Alexey.  May God grant his newly-departed handmaiden rest with the saints and life everlasting!

On Sunday 30 December we had Divine Liturgy for the Thirty-First Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of the Holy Forefathers, the Holy Prophet Daniel and the Three Holy Youths Ananias, Azarias and Misael (c.600 BC).  As our parish rector was recovering following surgery we were unable to have a service on Saturday evening and Father Dionysios Halim presided at Divine Liturgy.  In his sermon Father Dionysios spoke about the approaching Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ.

On Saturday 15 December and Sunday 16 December we had services for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of the Holy Prophet Zephaniah (+635-605 BC).  As our parish rector was recovering following surgery Father Dionysios Halim presided at these services.  In his sermon at Divine Liturgy Father Dionysios spoke about the appointed reading from the Holy Gospel, Luke 18:18-27, the account of our Lord's conversation with the rich young ruler.  Following Divine Liturgy our Ladies' Auxiliary served piroshki with Lenten fillings: potato, carrot, mushroom, cabbage and apple.

On Saturday 15 December Father Dionysios Halim baptised Valentin, the infant son of Yekaterina Andreeva.  Valentin was baptised in honour of the Hieromartyr Valentin, Bishop of Interamna in Italy (+273 AD).  Valentin’s godparents were the parish rector, Archpriest James Carles, and Andonea Dickson.  We warmly congratulate Yekaterina, her family, and the godparents, and we wish the newly-baptised servant of God Valentin many years!

On Sunday 2 December we had Divine Liturgy for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna (+1867 AD).  As our parish rector was recovering following surgery there was no service on Saturday evening and Priest Michael Storozhev – a cleric of the Saints Peter and Paul Diocesan Cathedral in Strathfield – presided at Divine Liturgy on Sunday.  The customary prayers were offered for Orthodox Church unity and for peace in Ukraine.  Following Divine Liturgy Father Michael congratulated parish protodeacon Father Martin Naef on his recent name-day (24 November, Saint Martin of Tours) and the choir sang “Many Years”.  A light festive meal prepared by the parish Ladies’ Auxiliary was then served in Father Martin’s honour.

The January 2019 issue of “Word of the Church” (“Церковное Слово”), the official journal of the Australian-New Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, is now available in our parishes.  As usual, it contains a range of interesting articles in both Russian and English.  In Russian: “Послание Архиерейского Синода Клиру и Пастве Русской Зарубежной Церкви”; "Патриаршество на Руси"; "Торжество Православия – торжество здравого смысла”; and more.  In English: “The Epistle of the Synod of Bishops to the Clergy and Flock of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia”; “Prototypes of the Nativity: What did prophets say about the coming of the Saviour?”; “Where do liturgical colours come from?”; “A list of last minute rules and suggestions in preparation for Great Lent”; and more.  Also included is a useful list of Diocesan parishes, monastic establishments and clergy.  Copies are $5.00.

On Tuesday 26 March and Wednesday 27 March 2019 the clergymen of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese will gather in Sydney for their customary Great Lenten Pastoral Conference.  On Tuesday evening the clergy will meet at the church of All Saints of Russia in Croydon for the Rule of Preparation for Holy Communion at 5.00pm and Lenten Matins and confession at 6.00pm.  On Wednesday morning from 8.00am the Hours and the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be served at Saints Peter and Paul Diocesan Cathedral in Strathfield with Bishop George presiding and the clergy concelebrating.  Those of the faithful who wish to do so are welcome to attend the service on Wednesday morning and – if properly prepared – to receive Holy Communion.  Following Divine Liturgy the clergy will meet to discuss a range of pastoral and liturgical matters.