His Grace Siluan, Bishop of Australia and New Zealand, on his canonic visit to Western Australia
His Grace Bishop of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand Siluan was on his canonic visit to the parishes of Perth in the period from 6th till 11th February 2020.
His Grace the Bishop, accompanied by protodeacon Miodrag Tomic, was warmly welcomed by clergy of the city of Perth with whom he was discussing about the life of the Serbian Orthodox Church of Western Australia.
Having finished a prayer of supplication to the Most Holy Theotokos in the church of St. Sava in Highgate on 7th February 2020, protopresbyter Sasa Stojanovic greeted and welcomed Bishop Siluan, who held a sermon and greeted clergy and the faithful. President of the Church Community of St. Sava Mr. Jovan Scekic greeted His Grace and got him acquainted with the activity of the Church Community at the parish residence, where dinner was given by members of the Circle of Serbian Sisters.
On Saturday, 8th February 2020, His Grace officiated the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the missionary parish of St. Basil of Ostrog in Rockingham. He was concelebrated by protopresbyter-staurophor Milorad Soakar, protopresbyter Sasa Stojanovic, presbyters Stanko Srbljanin and Goran Jovicic as well as protodeacon Miodrag Tomic. The head of the cantor’s stand was Revd. Boban Vojinovic. After the Holy Liturgy, Bishop Siluan delivered an inspirational sermon spiritually encouraging the faithful of this missionary parish. His Grace was greeted and addressed by protopresbyter-staurophor Milorad Soakar and Mr. Boris Krsic, chairman of the Council of the Missionary Parish.
On the same day, presbyter Goran Jovicic officiated Vespers in the church of St. Sava. Protopresbyter Sasa Stojanovic, protovicar Boban Vojinovic and protodeacon Miodrag Tomic were at the cantor’s stand, while His Grace Bishop Siluan was reading the psalms at the Throne and singing the hymns. Having finished the Vespers, His Grace the Bishop greeted the congregation, and they all together went to the parish residence where a solemn academy was held.
The academy was dedicated to two Serbian feasts - St. Sava’s Day and Meeting Our Lord - Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia. At the academy organized by the Church Community of St. Sava, the Serbian Ensemble “Rastko” with a children’s play about St. Sava, and a children choir and folklore group as well as music group “Izvor” performed some spiritual hymns and national songs, whereas the group “Atelje” of actors was the host of the programme and recited the verses of famous Serbian poets. During the academy, Bishop Siluan held a sermon about St. Sava and his role in founding the Serbian Church and state.
On Sunday 9th February 2020, His Grace Bishop Siluan officiated the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the Serbian Orthodox church of the Holy Trinity in Perth. He was concelebrated by protopresbyter-staurophor Milorad Soakar, protopresbyter Sasa Stojanovic, protovicar Boban Vojinovic, presbyters Stanko Srbljanin and Goran Jovicic and protodeacon Miodrag Tomic The Bishop consecrated the frescoes in the church that had been recently painted. The principal of the Church Community protopresbyter-staurophor Milorad Soakar greeted Bishop Siluan and thanked him for his visit, while the Bishop taught the Congregation and praised the parishioners for their great efforts and devotion for their Church. There was an agape meal at the parish residence when the choir “Crveni bozuri” chanted.
The liturgical cycle was finished on 9th February 2020. in the missionary parish of St. Basil of Ostrog of Northern Perth. The administrator of the parish presbyter Stanko Srbljanin officiated Vespers. He also greeted the Bishop and got him acquainted with the life of the parish. In his speech, the Bishop taught the faithful about the importance of persistence in the way of the Lord in these difficult times for the Church of Christ on the fifth continent. The Bishop was also talking to the faithful and met some young people from the other local churches.
His Grace Siluan spent a day with the clergy giving them the fatherly advice concerning improving spiritual life in Perth.
Source: Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand
Translated into English by Sanja Simic de Graaf, Professor
