While the second week of Lent is liturgically less intense than the first, we continue our commitment to fasting, prayer, and charity. In addition to physical fasting, we are encouraged to practice "abstinence of the mind." In modern terms, this means limiting social media and idle internet use. This reclaimed time can be better spent reading spiritually beneficial books or visiting reputable Orthodox websites. Our parish library has many resources available; please speak with the priest for specific Lenten reading recommendations. Adult catechism classes in English resume this Wednesday, March 4. Father Yaroslav will lead the meeting at 6:00 PM in the parish library. These sessions are an excellent opportunity to ask questions about spiritual life and the Church. The following services will be held in our church: Wednesday 4 March at 8:30 AM: Vespers with the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Friday 6 March at 6 PM: Parastas. Saturday 7 March at 8:30 AM: Liturgy – commemoration Saturday. At 6 PM: Vigil. Sunday 8 March at 8:30 AM: Liturgy.
The warden, the responsible person for the economy of the entire parish is James Tobolov. He is directly assisted by members of the parish council, as well as many parishioners.
Sisterhood
Monitors the cleanliness and decorum of the church and on the territory of the church, organizes various events to maintain our traditions, raises funds for the parish. Organizes dinners and funeral wakes. Our Senior Sister Tatyana Pye heads the sisterhood.
Jurisdiction
Our parish is a part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and is in the Australian and New Zealand Diocese, in the deanery of the state of Victoria. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church is His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'.
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, is the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
The Diocesan Bishop is Archbishop George.
The Dean of the state of Victoria is Archpriest Mikhail Protopopov.
In a legal sense, our parish is governed by the Normal Parish By-laws of the ROCOR. According to the by-laws, the Rector is appointed by the Diocesan Bishop; the Warden is elected at the AGM of the parish for three years; members of the parish council are elected for one year at the AGM. The Sisterhood is governed by the Regulations on Church Sisterhoods; the Senior Sister and the Sisterhood Board are elected at the Annual Meeting of the Sisterhood. All parish officials are approved by the Diocesan Bishop and work on a voluntary basis.
