On Tuesday evening, July 9, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, traveling with the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," arrived in Sydney, Australia. Greeted at the airport by Bishop George of Sydney, Australia & New Zealand; Archpriest Nikita Chemodakov, dean of the Central District; Archpriest George Lapardin, dean of Sts. Peter & Paul Diocesan Cathedral in Sydney; and Protodeacon Alexander Kotlyarov, His Eminence went to the ruling bishop’s residence in Croydon, where a moleben to the Mother of God was served.

On Wednesday, July 10, Metropolitan Nicholas served a moleben and akathist to the Mother of God before her wonderworking icon in front of a large gathering of worshippers at Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral in Sydney. Serving alongside His Eminence were Bishop George and the cathedral and local clergy.

On Friday, July 12, the feast day of the Holy Preëminent Apostles Peter and Paul, Metropolitan Nicholas celebrated Divine Liturgy in the cathedral, the evening prior having officiated the All-Night Vigil with the Litia, the blessing of the loaves, and the singing of the magnification of the Mother of God and the Preëminent Apostles. Concelebrating with His Eminence were Bishop Silouan of Australia & New Zealand (Serbian Orthodox Church), Bishop George, and rectors and clergy of the churches of Sydney.

The festivities were held under the aegis of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon.

The liturgical hymns were sung by the bishop’s choir under the direction of Andrei Laptev.

Praying at the service were Abbess Maria (Miros), Consul General of Russia in Sydney I.N. Arzhaev and his wife, and a multitude of worshippers.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas addressed the worshippers with a primatial sermon, after which a moleben was performed with a procession around the cathedral.

After the service, His Eminence greeted the archpastors, clergy, and assembled worshippers on the occasion of their patronal feast, expressing gratitude to His Grace, Bishop George, for the invitation and wishing everyone God’s help through the prayers of the churches Apostles Peter and Paul. The following decree was then read aloud:

To His Grace George
Bishop of Sydney, Australia & New Zealand

At a session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, held in New York on November 25/December 8, 2023, WE HEARD: The President’s petition for the elevation of His Grace George, Bishop of Sydney, Australia & New Zealand, to the rank of archbishop on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of his archpastoral service.

Having thoroughly discussed the President’s petition, WE RESOLVED: 1) To nominate His Grace George, Bishop of Sydney, Australia & New Zealand for elevation to the rank of archbishop and to put the matter to the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia with a view to awarding him in accordance with the Regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. 2) In the event of a favorable decision on the President’s petition, to leave to the discretion of His Eminence the time and place of awarding Bishop George.

Now, having familiarized ourselves with the results of the survey of the members of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, it is with great joy that we inform Your Grace that your brother archpastors, prayerfully invoking glory and thanksgiving to Christ the Chief Shepherd, reverently venerating the wonderworking icon of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, loudly and with a kind heart proclaiming to you "AXIOS," elevate you to the high rank of archbishop.

For which this decree is given, with fraternal good wishes for good health, cheerfulness of spirit, and further help of God for many grace-filled years.

+NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

+KYRILL
Archbishop of San Francisco & Western America
Secretary of the Synod of Bishops

In handing the decree to His Grace George, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia proclaimed the "axios," which was taken up by the Council of Clergy and the Bishop's Choir.

His Eminence then paid special tribute to the cathedral dean, Archpriest George Lapardin, presenting him with a jubilee cross issued for the 725th anniversary of the appearance of the Kursk Root Icon and the centennial of the Russian Church Abroad. In response, Bishop Silouan and Archbishop George delivered greetings and presented His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, with commemorative icons of the Mother of God and the Apostles Peter and Paul.

In the large church hall and in the cathedral courtyard, through the efforts of the sisterhood headed by Irina Lapteva, tables were set for 400 people. Here, Metropolitan Nicholas, Archbishop George, Fr. Nikita Chemodakov, and Archpriest Serafim Gan (chancellor of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops, accompanying His Eminence) delivered warm words of greeting.

Before the prayer of thanksgiving, the cathedral presented commemorative gifts to the members of the delegation headed by Metropolitan Nicholas, and the cathedral sisterhood, which organized the festal luncheon, the Polychronion was intoned.

That evening, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad met with the local clergy and their spouses at the residence of Archbishop George.

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