Celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Serbian Church held in Victoria

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Siluan, and under auspices of the Metropolitanate of Australia-New Zealand, one more successful celebration of significant jubilees of the Serbian Church took place last weekend.

After the celebration in Sidney, the deanery of Melbourne held a solemn academy in the church hall of the church of Saint Sava in Greensborough on 14 September 2019. The celebration was attended by Their Graces Bishops Siluan of Australia and New Zealand, Longin of New Gracanica and Midwestern America, George of Canberra of the Russian Orthodox Church in Abroad, abbot of the monastery of Chilandar Archimandrite Metodije as well as by monks and priests of the Melbourn’s deanery.

At first the vesper service was served, after which Bishop Siluan addressed the present gathering.

The Academy was attended by Ms. Kate Thwaites, local representatives in the Federal Parliament for the Division of Jagajaga, who emphasized that she was proud that this important event was held in her division where people with pride observe their customs, and at the same time had been integrated into the local society.

On Sunday, 15 September, 2019, faithful from the entire of Victoria arrived a little town of Keysborough. The central liturgical celebration for the state Victoria was held in the church of Holy Archdeacon Stephen. Bishops Siluan, Longin and George celebrated the Liturgy with concelebration of thirteen priests and five deacons.

A solemn procession from the church hall to the church itself was organized, where church choirs of the church-school communities the Holy Archdeacon Stephen and the Holy Trinity sang responses.