DIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: July 16, 2015
Feast-Day Celebrations at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral

On Sunday, July 12, 2015, Divine Liturgy was celebrated at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in Sydney, Australia, headed by His Grace Bishop George of Canberra. He was joined by Senior Priest George Lapardin, Priest Simeon Nekipelov, Protodeacon Alexander Kotliaroff and Protodeacon Konstantin Moshegov.

At the end of service, Mitred Protopriest Michael Li was awarded the Diocesan Cross. Fr Michael was ordained to the priesthood in China 65 years ago. He endured much suffering, having been imprisoned during the “Cultural Revolution,” serving 20 years. He has performed his priestly functions in Australia since 1999. Vladyka George and the clergymen expressed their heartfelt congratulations to Fr Michael and sang Many Years.

The feast day this year fell on a Sunday , so a larger number of worshipers were able to attend, along with people from neighboring parishes. Abbess Maria (Miros) and the nuns from Kazan Icon of the Mother of God Convent in Kentlyn were also in attendance. After performing Divine Liturgy in their respective churches, other diocesan priests came to share in the celebrations. The rain forecasted for the day held back, and over 500 clergymen and worshipers participated in a procession of the cross around the cathedral.

After services, the sisterhood invited everyone to a splendid trapeza luncheon in the cathedral hall, while children and young families were accommodated under a large tent.
Fr George congratulated everyone on the feast day and thanked Vladyka George for serving during the luncheon. He was seconded by Fr Michael, who thanked His Grace for the award he was given.

Many of those in attendance have been parishioners of the cathedral for many decades. The entire lives of many of them have been intertwined with the Strathfield cathedral. This is the chief Russian church of Sydney, consecrated in 1953. Here, many thousands of believers got married, baptized their children, held funeral services for the departed.

Alexander Vasiliev, member of the Parish Council.