Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
November 3, 2006

VISIT OF HIS GRACE BISHOP IRINEJ TO THE FAITHFUL IN GREENSBOROUGH, VIC

Sunday evening, 29 October 2006. The church-school community of St Sava in Greensborough (a hilly and leafy suburb 20km north of Melbourne) had the pleasure of greeting the newly-appointed Bishop for Australia and New Zealand, Irinej, along with the bishop for Bihac-Petrovac, Hrizostom, and clergy from the Serbian capital, Belgrade, Fr Petar Lukic and Deacon Radomir Percevic, as well as Her Royal Highness, Princess Linda (Karageorgevic). It was also the first time on which this church community was visited by the new deacon for Australia and New Zealand, Fr Sasa Colic and his wife, Iva. On the land of this Church-School Community, lies the Church of St Sava, which is a copy of the medieval church “Lazarica” in Krusevac, Serbia. From this high point, one is able to see the city of Melbourne in the distance. According to the local parishioners, this is one of the more beautiful Serbian Churches in Australia, and this was confirmed by our dear guests, as they approached this holy temple. Evening vespers were served by Fr Petar Lukic from Belgrade, and the local deacon, Fr Vladislav Sipovac. Responding to the litanies were the local faithful, with the help of the parish priest, Fr Dragomir Sipovac and Deacon Radomir Percevic and other clergy.

On completion of vespers, our dear guests were enthralled by the fresco paintings on the internal walls of the church, the work of the Russian artist, Mr Andrej Syssoliatine. It truly is God’s work that this Church-School community, being one of the smaller parishes of Melbourne, has managed in only 10 years to build such a beautiful church and to have it artistically painted internally with scenes from the Holy Bible as well as according to Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church. The hard-working committee of this Church-School Community, along with the Serbian Circle of Sisters “Ognjena Marija”, prepared a feast for all present, as well as a short program of folklore dancing, performed by “Avala”. The St Sava Hall, which has room to seat 800 people, was close to being full by the faithful of this parish to see and hear the wise words of her new Arch-Shepherd. All three folklore groups performed dances from the Serbian lands and came forward to receive a blessing from Bishop Irinej. Some requested a blessing in the Serbian language, others in English, and all were glad at the news that their new bishop has arrived, and that He understands the way of life of the diaspora, and that He will be able to understand them.
All was holy and noble, and near to the Almighty God!

Deacon Vladislav Sipovac

[Serbian Translation Services]