Homily on the third Sunday after Pentecost Romans 5: 1-10; Matthew 6: 22-33. One thing that is certain is that life can be full of challenges. It is easy to be tempted to give into worry and stress. Yet Christ is clear: we are not to worry and are to trust in Him. He tells us in today's Gospel that we are not to worry, for we will be provided for by God. God loves us and will always ensure that we have what we need. Many atheists try and paint God as a monster, yet their view

Saturday 13th June 2026 @ 7pm Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford As the faithful gathered, Father Mark filled the chapel with a peaceful organ meditation. The sanctuary was adorned in red, white, and gold, colours speaking of martyrdom, purity, and divine glory. The gentle sounds of music and conversation slowly gave way to prayer as the liturgy began. The clergy entered as Metropolitan Raffaele sang Praise the Lord, his voice leading us into worship. Before the prayers commenc

An Invitation to keep watch over his flock and pray for the edification of his body the Church The Lord walked by the sea of Galilee in which he observed from afar two brothers who were fishermen, Simon who he later named Cephas (Peter) and his younger brother Andrew who were about their trade casting their nets in the sea for the daily catch. He then called out to them: “Follow me” which they perceived were words that moved their hearts to compassion for he added: “I will

ALL HALLOWS – ENERGIZED BY GOD’S GRACE AND FAVOUR Lord our God, thy Church in the world is constantly adorned with the blood of your martyrs as the vesture of purple and fine linen. Hence, through the testimonies of these holy men and women, your Church unites in prayer: let the presence of your compassion flood thy people with grace. May that peace which you promised to bestow reign amongst us as we draw near to thy mysteries; the transcendent encounter of your mercy personi

UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF WESTERN EUROPE AND CANADA METROPOLIS OF LAUS POMPEIA, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND AND EXARCHATE OF THE BRITISH ISLES THE EPISCOPAL OFFICE OF HIS EMMINENCE THE METROPOLITAN EXARCH: MOST REV. RAFFAELE

Saturday 30th May 2026 - 7pm Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford The chapel was adroned in green, the colour of life, renewal, and the Holy Spirit. As the bells rang out across Abbotsford, the soothing sound of the organ welcomed the faithful into the church. The atmosphere was peaceful and expectant, as we gathered to celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, the day on which the Holy Spirit descended upon the Church. The liturgy began with the Entrance Hymn, after which Metropo

Holy Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist Saint John (Jn 7:37–52; 8:12). On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood up and cried out, saying: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” This He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Homily on the Seventh Sunday After Pascha Acts 20 16-18, 28-36; John 17: 1-13. One thing that is certain is that in our humanity we are flawed. Yet we have the promise of Christ that if we follow Him, He will lead us along the path to becoming like Him. Many people lament what is happening in the world and even in the Church, but at the end of the day we have Christ’s promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against His Holy Church (Matthew 16:18). This is why it is im

My soul finds its true rest and sanctuary in the Lord! (Ps 62-5) This Sunday's Gospel is again presented as healing for the blind which at the conclusion of paschal tide, gives us perception of what lives in God lasts. We have many beautiful churches around Melbourne and one admires the architecture and its surroundings, yet it is with a heavy heart when some of these buildings that have been used for worship, have either have been gutted within, or left derelict which of cou

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John (Jn 4: 5-42). "So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, therefore, tired from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' For his disciples had gone into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, 'How

Lord open our eyes; that we can see you approaching us in the need of others Lord open our ears; that we can hear you call out onto us in the grief of others Lord open our hearts; that we can respond to you in the anguish of others Lord command us to leap from our comforts; that we may aid those who are hopeless There comes a point in the life of a true presbyter and Christian that we begin to question NOT the CHURCH as the divine institution/hospital and mystical body, but

Third Sunday of Pascha (Pasqua): The Myrrh-bearing women Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-16:8. This Sunday we celebrate the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women. Today we celebrate the reality of the empty tomb. Today we celebrate the finding of the empty tomb. These women, the closest family and friends to Jesus, came to perform the final act of love—to anoint His body with oils and perfumes (cf. Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1). Yet as they walked into the tomb, what did they see? A young man dre

AMAZING GRACE When the apostles who had previously beheld the risen Lord in the flesh related their testimony to Didimus (the twin) the Apostle Thomas protested: “You can’t convince me of that which you supposedly saw! I must witness the actual wounds in his body, the nail prints on his hands and feet; my finger is to touch those very wounds and further touch the side that was pierced by the lance. This is the only way I truly can authenticate that he is in fact risen as you

Saturday 11th April 2026 - 10pm Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford We arrived to a dimmed church, where a single light illuminated the altar. In that quiet space, Metropolitan Raffaele and Father Mark began chanting the Evening Hours, recounting the mystery of Christ’s descent into death and the promise of Resurrection. The prayers unfolded slowly, carrying us through the final moments of Holy Saturday. After a time, the Kyrie was sung, and the chanting continued. Metropolitan

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist Saint John (Jn 1:1–18): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God; his name was John. He came a

Friday 10th April 2026 a.d. - 7pm Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford The church was dimmed in deep hues of red and purple, the colours of sorrow and sacrifice. Only three candles flickered upon the altar, their quiet light breaking the stillness of the evening. In silence, the clergy entered. Without a word, they prostrated themselves before the altar in profound stillness. As they lay low before God, Metropolitan Raffaele began to chant the Hours, his voice moving gently throu

Thursday 9th April 2026 a.d. Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford The evening began in quiet reverence as Metropolitan Raffaele played the organ, gently drawing the faithful into the mystery of the night. Holy Thursday recalls the Passover—the night of remembrance, sacrifice, and deliverance—and now, fulfilled in Christ. As the clergy entered, Metropolitan Raffaele sang “An Upper Room,” setting the scene of the Mystical Supper. We were blessed this evening to have so many of our

Saturday 4th April 2026 @ 7pm Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford The portals of Holy Week were opened by the Convent bells ringing out around Abbotsford, inviting the faithful to prayer, reflection, and hope for a much troubled world. The congregation sang glory to God as Metropolitan Raffaele led them in song with praise to the Lord. Fr Matthew greeted the faithful as the celebrating presbyter and all sung solemnly the Kyriale and following Gloria. Reader Patrick read from St.

When he drew near to Jerusalem ascending its mount to fulfil his voluntary suffering for the love of his creation, the people who awaited in the midst of darkness overwhelmed by death’s shadow fashioned palms and branches of various sorts as a sign of great victory thus foretelling thy resurrection. Therefore Father Pantocrator, keep us under the shelter of your wings that we too may follow their example of greeting you thus carrying in our hands palms, branches and foliage n

Homily on the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent Hebrews 9: 11-14; Mark 10: 32-45. This Sunday we move closer to the mystery of our salvation – the Holy Cross. Without the Incarnation, Cross, and Resurrection, we would not have our salvation. There are some groups who claim that salvation is once and for all upon accepting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. However, they have strayed from the truth that salvation is a process. Like Saint Mary of Egypt, whom we celebrate today, we are s