St Nicholas Cathedral – Brisbane, QLD

The children of St Nicholas Cathedral and children from at least one other parish enjoyed a lovely day of activities organised by Matushka Rufina. The children decorated their own Kulichi and then went on a Egg Hunt. Everyone was a winner. It wasn’t a long day but it was certainly eggsiting. A big thank you Matuhska Rufina and her helper Sima Ljungberg. May God grant them inspiration for more exciting things for the children to do. Here is a photo to show the fun things the children did.

Today the blessing of Kulichi and Paschas will be at:

7:30pm and 11:00pm and after Paschal Liturgy

Midnight Office begins at 11:15pm

Dear God-loving Parishioners! Christ’s Holy Church, like a wise and loving mother, calls each of us to use the time of Great Lent to work on ourselves spiritually and with greater fervour. During this time, the services are especially touching and morally edifying. As well, prayer and fasting – are the best means by which a person may regain and retain spiritual health.

With love in the Lord

Fr Gabriel Makarov.

Well we have made it to Great Lent. Please note that the Forgiveness Rite will be served directly following the Liturgy on Sunday. This is different to what is in the schedule. Please let everyone know. I wish you all a salvific and peaceful Lent.

A very important event is coming up for our city. Over the dates of 11th Feb and 12th Feb there will be two Diaconal ordinations. Our Metropolitan Hilarion is arriving on Friday 10th Feb and will be serving the Vigil at the Annunciation Parish. Service starting at 6pm. The Liturgy will be at 8:30am on Saturday 11th Feb. At which the ordination of Andrew Smith will happen. Another wonderful thing is occuring. A particle of the relics of St Innocent the Enlightener of Siberia will be present at this Liturgy.

That night at 6pm there will be a Vigil at St Nicholas Cathedral. The Liturgy will begin at 8:30am at which Vladimir Bigdan will be ordained to the diaconate. This is a rare opportunity to see and be present to pray for these two men. This is also a sign of growth for our city.

Please come and be a part of these wonderful events both for these two families and for the parishes involved.

With the blessing of our Very Most Reverend Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia & New Zealand, the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God will visit our diocese from 4 November to 7 December 2011.

Please visit the Australian Diocese website for further details of when the Icon will visit each city of Australia.

On Sunday 28 August after the Divine Liturgy, Fr Gabriel and Svetlana Makarov will present a slideshow of the Bethany Orthodox Girls School. There will be a fundraiser lunch before the slideshow – proceeds from this lunch will go directly to the Bethany School.

Dear Parishioners and Visitors of our Church,

Please be mindful of Gabba events when driving to our Church. Traffic builds up around the Stadium and makes the journey longer than you may have estimated.

Take care, and see you in our Church soon.

This Sunday, 19th June 2011, will be the day appointed to celebrate Fr Gabriel’s Name day. It is officially in July whilst he will be away at the Youth Tour of 2011.

Please join us and wish Fr Gabriel many healthy and fruitful years to come. Right after Liturgy, proceed to the Hall to share a meal with us also.

See you there.

Dear brothers and sisters,

As Father Gabriel has already said, the two General Unction services will be held in Brisbane. Please put them into your Diaries. These services are as follows:

1. Sunday 3 April – At Rocklea – 6:00 pm

2 Wednesday 13 April – At the Cathedral – 6:00 pm

These are wonderful services that have been spaced apart so that all of us will be able to find one to attend.