New Tastes

Everything here on Vanova-Levu is natural and ordinaryy. At both the airport the port, from their garments and generally in the ways of the inhabitants here (who as in Viti Levu are half Fijians and the other half are Fijians whose heritage is from India) are for the most part, idolatrous Hindus.

The pace of life here is characterized by the “Fiji time.” In other words, “slowly-slowly” “whenever…” and “however…” This is the result of an inherited custom and way of life; a wonderful opportunity to cultivate patience and getting to understand one another.
The presence of whites is very much felt here at the port by the yachts which mostly belong to the white Anglo-Saxons of the area of Oceana. On the one hand, we have the wealthy vacationing yacht inhabitants who enjoy in peace, the delights of nature and the warm dips into the seas. On the other hand, the native inhabitants (those of colour, in other words) have opportunities for work and economic support – close to the whites. In this way we have a mutually beneficial and strong support and co-laboration of whites and “coloureds.” In order to live, each needs the other. The former provide technology and their money and the latter their work and toil. Each however, keeps their own philosophy and their own ways of life intact.

Hence, we have co-existence with love and mutual understanding– and not forced “my will” worldly-making impositions with subliminal ways from the economically powerful upon the economically weak. Here however, on Vanovu-Levu, we found ourselves not by accident (me and my entourage), nor did we come for tourism. Our ten-day visit to the second largest island of the Islands of Fiji, has sacred-missionary aims. Also living here are thousands of people with immortal souls for whom, just as for millions of other inhabitants upon the earth, are meant the words of the Lord.


“God forth, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and ofthe Son and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19).
Therefore our joy and contentment was great for getting to know the first inhabitant of this island who received with joy becoming Orthodox with his whole family - and eventually to become the first Orthodox priest on this large island. As in the instance with the Apostle Phillip with the Ethiopian which we read in the eighth chapter in the Acts of the Apostles who said, “Go to that chariot and stay near it” (Acts 8:29).
Likewise in the instance of our Hindu-idolater Sri, an inner “something” made me say to him, “let’s step outside the office here” (where he worked – and where we met), and to speak to him about our Lord Jesus Christ – Whose icon he observed on the Engkolpion (bishop’s pendant) I was wearing – and about our Holy Orthodox Church, the first and true Church of Christ.

Since then, we met and spoke again at every chance we had. We went together to the capital of the island, Lampassa, and met his mother; who lives a little out from the city and who takes care of her beloved sister – and who had both of her legs amputated from high-blood sugar. In their humble little home, in a very traditional setting we rejoiced in the green foliage and in the flowers of their garden, the birds singing and the hens cackling (ready to give their eggs) – we were reminded of our own villages in the homeland, where we lived and grew up in similar surroundings.

That which literally floored us, was the invitation Sri made to us to go the following day to his home in order to meet his wife and their children and for them to keep us at their table – and the subsequent eagerness of his mother to travel three hours by bus to come to the home of her son in order to help her daughter-in-law prepare the food!
Around 7 o’clock in the evening, Sri accepted to make the sign of the Holy Cross - and his wife, their three children and his mother did the same.

The duration of our time with them brought to mind the Mystical Supper of Christ. The faces of everyone were shinning out of sincere heartfelt joy. They served us their meager traditional foods with much love and enthusiasm – while they stood with respect both at the beginning and the end, attending with concentration and piety to the blessing of God. We were overjoyed to see that they had adorned the home with the icons of our Lord and our Panaghia that we had presented to mister Sri on our first meeting – that shows the he and all his family have truly decided their forward progress to Christ and His true Church and they await the day of their baptism (since they have now tasted the first mystical joys of Divine Grace in their simple and guileless souls. Hinduism for them is now an uncertaintity of the past. Their progress in the Church of Christ is their certain assurance that from here on they will belong to the bright kingdom of the “in Christ” life of joy.

Another pleasing joy that we got from Vanova-Levu was our meeting with the Lebanese Orthodox Christian, mister Michael, who lives with his wife and their one child - having as their permanent residence a small dinghy from which they go their work, and to the harbor with a paddle-boat. He did not know how to express his joy as he saw us because he now knows that an Orthodox cleric is there who will be able to baptize his son.

Nothing is by accident. The invisible but living presence of the true God is everywhere - opening roads and showing means and ways for all to come near Him, those even, who without awareness believe in Him and are searching for Him…
Let us thank Him therefore, once again, for these new tastes of His overly abundant blessings and His divine beneficence.

† Metropolitan of New Zealand, Amfilchios

The Consecration of the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Apostle Andrew.

 

His Eminence's visit to the Orthodox Mitropolis of Korea..

 

“O Lord, raise up the Orthodox Christians.”

His Eminence, our Metropolitan Amfilochios attended the ceremonies for the celebration of the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the Orthodox Metropolis of Korea.
The 110 years of continuous Orthodox presence were celebrated radiantly and festively for the entire duration of the current year holding central place however, were:
The international Symposium, the subject being;

“ENEMY OR FRIEND? ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN VIEWS ON THE MYSTERY OF DEATH,” and

the Con-hierarchical Divine Liturgy held at the Cathedral church of Saint Nicholas in Seoul.

Participating in the Divine Liturgy were His Eminence of Thyateiron and Great Britain, Archbishop Grigorios, as representative of His All-holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, His Eminence of Vladivostok, Archbishop Benjamin, as representative of the Ever-memorable Patriarch of Moscow, Kyrillos and their Eminences, Soterios of Pisidia, Amfilochios of New Zealand and Amvrosios of Korea.

After the Divine Liturgy in the courtyard of the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, a meal was offered together with well organized and a very pleasing programme comprised of ecclesiastical hymns and traditional songs and dances of this Asian country.

 

Double joys.

 

A Blessing of God and joy of God. Double joys..

On the Pacific Islands of Fiji, the chapel of Saint Paraskevi is close to completion in the garden of the Sacred Mission Center in Sabeto of Nadi.

Despite the yet many existing needs our small flock there was counted worthy to follow the holy services of Great and Holy Week and the Resurrection which were conducted by our Archimandrite Father Christodoulos Papadeas and our first Fijian priest Father Bartholomeos Senibulu.
The icons of the Crucifixion and the Epitapheio were raised up by the little hands of young Fijians with much wonder and awe. Presvytera Lydia prepared flowers and the crosses for Palm Sunday and together with the sisters Gabrielle and Eugenia they dyed the red Paschal eggs.

The blue-white (of Greece) and the double-headed eagle (of the Patriarchate) together with the Fijian flag (which also depicts the cross) wave with exuberance and the passers-by behold with curiousity our front sign which reads:

“Ecumenical Patriarchate Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of New Zealand (Fiji, Tonga and Samoa)”.

The Cross which is the beauty of the Church and the support of the faithful stands outside of the fence inspiring respect in the people and fear in the demons.
The clouds in the blue skies are ordered for doxology. In the chapel of Saint Paraskevi are heard the hymns “
«“Christ is Risen from the dead” and “Shine, Shine O New Jerusalem”,
and the skies above,
«are denoting the glory of God, pronouncing the firmament made by His hands.”.

 

Concurrently efforts are being made to complete the church of the Commander Archangels together with the side chapel of Saint Vasileios (Basil) in order to consecrate the baptismal font on April 30th and celebrate the “thyranoikseia” of the church on the 1st of May together with the first Divine Liturgy.

«All who in Christ have been baptised, Christ have you put on.».

As a blessing of God came the pouring rain which began near the end of the Holy Baptisms of New-Zealander, Eleni and her children, Michael and and Vasileios. Justified was the joy of her husband, Jeremy who from here on out waits the blessed day of his ordination to deaconate..

The first of May, upon which were the “thyranoiksia” and the first Divine Liturgy, happened to be his name-day. The many people in attendance, Greeks, Serbs and New Zealanders stood and marvelled at the blessed hour of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and wished the couple well offering to them a collection of 280 dollars as a gift of love from all the faithful for their needs.

With great satisfaction, the Orthodox Serb, Mr. Deyan, followed the very sublime con-celebration which took place around the Holy Altar Table, the cost of which he his physician wife, Dr. Dara, underwrote.
The Cretan, Mr. Panteli graciously helped His Eminence Archbishop Amfiloxios plant an olive tree which will mark the first Divine Litrugy at the Monastery.
With particular eagerness, the Cypriots, Mr. Apostolos and Mr. Panyiotis and the Cretan Mr. Ioannis grilled the meat for the festive table.
The President of the Community, Mrs. Stella with Mrs. Andriana stood by with readiness with the preparation of the food and the sweets which were brought in great quantity by our dear Christian ladies.

The “Thyranoiksia” of the Monastery and the 1st of May Celebration. The weather was calm and sweet. Everyone together, clergy and laity chanted the “Christ is Risen” in Greek, in Serbian and in English and shared in common the joy of company together with the food and above all, the resplendence of the joint celebration of all the Orthodox whose common faith supersedes every tribal and language difference.

«What shall we give to the Lord for all this?»

Thanksgiving and honour and glory for all His blessings and gifts.

The last several weeks have seen, with the help and grace of God, the construction of the churches of the Holy Archangels
and Saint Basileios in the Monastery of our Holy Metropolis.

Recently the frame has been finished and we are awaiting now the weatherboard, the roof, electrical installation and the plumbing.
Thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of all those who evolved we expect to celebrate the Divine Mysteries inside our newly erected churches in the next two months.

God willing another spring of life and renewal is being planted, by the right hand of our good God, in New Zealand.

One Soul-stirring Experience.

Everything seemed fine from the moment when we entered the catamaran and, leaving behind us the port of Nandi, we began to approach one after another beautiful little islands with pure-white beaches and tropical vegetation. Until, that is, we arrived at Yasawa, Ira Ira, the island of our newly-illumined sister Sophronia.
The boat was full of passengers, white tourists and brown natives, the former going to spend summer vacations the latter returning with supplies from Nandi. The Captain and crew, all natives, were completely organized and very well mannered. We looked admiringly at every island with its picturesque barges dancing upon the waves as they came alongside the boat in order to pick up and transport passengers and their baggage.
I was thinking that this was the method on the smaller islands and that for our own larger island, just as it appeared on the brochure, there would be some platform for the boat to draw alongside. Contrary to my expectation, when we arrived we saw that here as well the barges would come and take passengers and baggage and then depart quickly in the same way. They were going to Yasawa, Ira Ira.

We disembarked into one of these barges following the same procedure as the preceding boats. Our own boat was more slow-moving and therefore we couldn’t see the other boats which had passed around the cape. We were eight people inside the boat. The further we progressed the more I was thinking the Pacific Ocean was showing us its true colours. The wind began to blow with force and the waves of the sea were swelling dangerously and were literally roaring as they relentlessly hit up against the side of our boat splashing us with their salty contents. Now, however, we saw that we were passing one cape after another and the port was nowhere to be seen; we began to worry.

From the very salty water our eyes were burning unbearably and I could not see in front of me, perhaps from my little experience I would have said something to the boatman in order to assist him. He himself could not have had clear vision since he was often spreading his hand in order to take the water from his eyes.
By now we were in the open sea which necessarily we should have had to pass in order to arrive at the opposite shore where I was suspecting the port and the village of our destination would be. I began to get uneasy. The only refuge in similar circumstances is prayer. I chanted secretly the Paraklesis of our Panaghia believing that she would not leave us unprotected. “To whom else shall I flee o Pure one? And to whom else shall I run for help and be saved? Where shall I go, and where shall I find a safe retreat?” (Words from the Great Paraklesis to the Most Holy Virgin)

We approached with much effort the beach while not seeing either a port or a village. We would have to pass many more capes in order to hear from Presbytera Lydia that behind the next cape was the village. However, it was not the next cape, but rather the one after the next. After four hours struggling with the waves we finally arrived at the end of our trip. We disembarked from the boat half-swimming because there was no platform or plank, only one pure-white beach which was covered with trees providing a deep-shade.

This is the village of our newly-illumined Sophronia. I consider how for her joy and the joy of her family and her three-hundred fellow villagers who welcomed us with special joy and honour and offered us hospitality that the weariness of our arduous journey was worth it. Orthodoxy imprinted its footprint here on this remote island of the Pacific.

May the name of the Lord be glorified.

The Festive Twelve-days of 2009-2010 in the Holy Metropolis
of New Zealand.

 

Christ is born, glorify Him!

We have been worthy once again this year to hear the joyful news of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and in succession to celebrate His baptism and the Theophany of our Triune God.

With the joy of our Christ and the prayers and ceaseless efforts of His Eminence our Metropolitan Amfilochios for the spreading of Orthodoxy in all the vast region of the Exarch of Oceania, the Holy Churches of our Metropolis in all the areas of New Zealand as well as in the Fiji islands celebrated the services for the duration of the Holy Twelve-days.
The joy of the Orthodox faithful was great throughout our entire community. In addition, some bold men dove into the cold waters of the sea of New Zealand in order to catch the Cross and have the blessing of our Baptized Christ during this upcoming year.

May, through the prayers of His Eminence Amfilochios, the sweet Jesus make us worthy to receive Him as the God-child in the cave of our souls, to nurture Him inside of us and to proclaim together with the holy and glorious Apostle Paul

‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.’ (Gal. 2:20)

Newly Baptized in the Fiji Islands.

Four young Fijian girls adopted the Orthodox faith and were baptized at the Missionary Center of the Holy Metropolis of New Zealand in Fiji.

His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilochios assisted Archimandrite Fr. Christodoulos and the Priest Father Bartholomew in completing the Baptisms.

The Newly-illumined received the names Maria, Anastasia and Sophronia. May the holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified.

The Baptism an Orthodox Maori.

“Today let companies of High Priests in spirit leap for joy, as with us they honour your memory, venerable Hierarch Chrysostom, illuminary of the Church.“
We thank the Triune God for the limitless gifts which he offers to us every day. One such gift was received on this day by as many of us who met inside the Holy Parish of Saint Demetrios in the city of Hastings.

Today the first Orthodox Maori was baptized. Archimandrite Father Christodoulos and Hieromonk Ioakeim completed first the holy mystery of baptism of the Maori—Micheal, and later the holy mystery of marriage for Michael and his Greek wife Ephigenia.

Later in the evening our joy was completed with the baptism of their three children: Stephanos, Sophia and Athanasios.
We welcome our newly baptized brothers into the Great Church of Christ, may His holy name be glorified.

y

A Historical Day in Fiji

Wednesday the 16th December 2009, the feast day of Saint Porphyrios of Aigaiou, Theophane of Basilissa and Medestos Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Eight o’clock in the morning. T he contractor and his team are taking the blessing and are beginning to measure and put the indicator markers for the foundation so as to follow the design of the Church of Saint Paraskevi in the yard of the Missionary Center in Sambeto, Nandi.
The day before yesterday the Cyclone passed with its frightful momentum and its incessant rains which transformed all the surrounding meadows into lakes, harassing the trees and animals and forcing the birds to hide in their dens, carrying away some men to death and leaving many areas for many days in darkness due to the loss of electrical power.
Now, however, a boundless calm is spread everywhere. The clear-blue sky and the warm sun remind man, whose life returns to its normal rhythm, of the first days after the flood of Noah. The yards and surrounding trees are full of birds which fly joyfully and please their listeners with their sweet chirping. Today is very beautiful and joyful. Nothing is by accident. The first Orthodox Church in Fiji is founded in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.
The elements of nature participate in their own way with our own joy, so that with much gratitude we thank and glorify our all-powerful and gift-giving God, honouring and magnifying as well His holy martyr Paraskevi, whose name and joy will from today be imprinted beautifully on this place of retreat.

Archbishop of New Zealand,

† Amfilochios

Celebration of the feast of St Andrew

Our Monastery

Celebration of the feast day of Saint Demetrius in Hastings

The Archbishop of New Zealand Amfilochios conducted this year the Solemn Divine Liturgy at the church of Saint Demetrius on the feast day of the Saint.

The sunny day helped a large participation of people, of whom some traveled up to 5 ½ hours, so that we, together, could celebrate the service at Saint Demetrius. It was an emotional turnout for many of the congregation in the Salutary Mystery of the Eucharist. There was also a procession of the Icon in the front yard of the church at the end of the Liturgy, and committed Artoklasia as on the Solemn Vesper. The souls of all were flooded by feelings of joy and gratitude to God that with His grace we completed one year of having Services in the Church in Hastings. Together with His Eminence were concelebrating priests: Fr. Meletios, Fr George from Wellington - church of the Dormition of Theotokos and Fr. Joachim, vicar of the Church.

His Eminence Amfilochios in a brief sermon, thanked God who made us worthy to be together to praise His name. And he wished happy name day to those who celebrate the day including Mr. Demetrius Anninos, the newcomer Ambassador of Greece, and Mr. Demetrius Bares, husband of the Chairman of the Greek community of Wellington. He thanked the Thessalonians who contributed towards the purchase of the church, also the contractor Mr. Nikolaos Magdalinos who, on an unpaid basis did studies and superintended the project. Also his Eminence thanked Mr. Vasilios Serepisos who offered money for the icon of St. Demetrius. Finally, he stressed the importance and benefits of keeping our traditions, remembering the ''mother Greece'', and Cyprus and wished everyone to be eligible to venerate the relics of St. Demetrius in Thessaloniki. The beautiful celebration ended with a luncheon organized by the parish of St. Demetrius, with the help of the epitropisses (committee members) Mrs. Anna and Mrs. Vasso, which was attended by at least 100 people.





We hope our Lord, with the intercessions of Saint Demetrius, may give us all strength, joy, health and prosperity.

Laying of foundation for the Church of Archangels Michael & Gabriel

Laying of foundation for the Church of Archangels Michael and Gabriel and Basil the Great in Levin, Archdiocese of New Zealand.

Part I

Part II

Ordination of Bartholomew to Priesthood

Ordination of Bartholomew to Deacon

The Celebration of the Dormition of Our Lady

 

The Celebration of the Dormition of Our Lady

 
Τhe days of Panaghia have begun, the candles are lit, our heads are bowed to the Great Mother.

It is our wish that Christians are changed inside this Pascha of the summertime.

Our Panaghia is: ‘The joy of all joys’!!!

A merciful spring and compassionate gate, the Queen of angels and Mother of all those who are wronged.

May we invest everything, all of our gloom, all of our troubles and concerns as well as our efforts to our Panaghia

Ordination of Fr. Patrick

At the church of the Holy Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ in Athens, Hiermonk Patrick a New Zealander, was ordained Deacon by His Eminence, Archbishop Amfilochios of New Zealand. A lot of people participated at the Archieratiki Liturgy, among them the first recently baptized Orthodox Christians of the Fiji Islands Bartholomew and Lydia.

Getting to know Fiji and its Inhabitants

Fiji is a compilation of about three hundred islands in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean with about 800,000 inhabitants. The two largest islands are called Viti Levu and Venua Levu. On the first island there are three major cities; the capital Suva which has a large natural seaport and an airport. Lautoka which also has a large natural seaport and Nadi which has a smaller seaport excavated especially for tourism purposes and the International Airport.

All the islands are verdant with beautiful beaches and mountains from which race large rivers and rushing waterfalls. The tropical, warm, climate and abundant rains are factors which make the land, here, fertile and productive. The mountains are covered with forests and cultivated fields of sugar cane, bananas, papaya, mangoes and other trees and exotic multicoloured flowers.

The cities are interconnected by roads laid with asphalt, as well as small trains. These trains are chiefly for the transportation of sugar cane to Lautoka where there is a large processing plant which produces the wonderful dark and healthful sugar. The smaller islands are linked to the larger ones by small airplanes and boats.

The beautiful beaches with their warm ocean waters, the peacefulness of the place and the welcoming disposition of the inhabitants invite many visitors from diverse places most especially from Australia and from New Zealand. The languages which are taught and spoken officially are Fijian and English.

The inhabitants of Fiji are simple and good hearted, peaceful and always smiling. They have great similarity with the inhabitants of African Tanzania which according to their own tradition is the land of their origin; however, they are less dark skinned than them and their hair is a little longer. The Indians of Fiji comprise about half of the island's population and they were brought to Fiji by the British who controlled the islands in those days for the cultivation of sugar cane. They share the same coloration as the Fijians but have longer hair. Generally speaking, the Fijians are happy and lovable people who are especially pleased whenever someone greets them in their language with the word: “Bula!” which means hello.



The native Fijians handle the Government and the military and the Fijians of Indian descent handle industry and trade. They get along well with each other; they speak the same languages, have mixed marriages, even though each race observes some unique customs and traditions. At the International Airport a visitor's first impression is of a group of Fijians dressed in their traditional Garb something akin to the Greek foustanella, playing different instruments, singing in their own musical tradition, while festooned with a flower behind one ear.

In this way they welcome those from foreign lands. They are frugal without many demands in their lives. Instead of bread they use roots of various shrubs which they usually include in their meals greens and vegetables, tomatoes, eggplant and beans which they themselves cultivate.

They also eat fish, chicken, eggs and fruit. They walk about barefoot or with light sandals (flip flops) because of the heat and they live carefree lives.In the character and the disposition of the Fijians one can discern a certain simplicity, naturality and purity.

† Archbishop of New Zealand Amfilochios

Our Home

Whoever has tried and made expenditures to build a home knows both the struggles and the joy that accompany it. Struggles and labours and repeated travels were necessary, for one full year, so that we could find and purchase our mission home in the remote islands of Fiji. We did this so that we could move in and be able to begin the work of the Church, so that we could receive people, to converse with them, to catechize them, and so that they may begin to receive the sacred mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation, of Marriage, etc.

We had the monies, $90,000 euro. They were given to us from the start by the Orthodox External Mission Brotherhood of Thessaloniki, with complete trust, willingness, and love. Initially, it seemed there would be no possibility to reach our desired goal.

Here everything works much differently than what we are accustomed to in our homeland. Difficulties and interruptions were many. At one point we thought perhaps that it wasn't the will of God to begin our mission work from here. Perhaps our starting point was meant to be in Tonga, or in Samoa, which are also islands and nations that come under the ecclesiastical care of our Metropolis. The reason for our hesitation came from the military coup and the blurred political state of affairs in Fiji.

However, "perfect love casts out fear" (John 4:16). We considered that the hard pressed people of this land have an immediate need of our presence, for us to encourage them, to comfort them, to support them. And that is what has happened by the Grace and with the blessing of God. We have now been in Fiji for one whole month, working from our Mission home. We have begun our Missionary activity by building in the corner of the yard a beautiful Sacred Baptismal Font at which was sung for the first time the beautiful hymn: "Father, Pantocrator, and Logos and Spirit, of the three-fold unity of the enhypostatic Nature and in which took place the first Baptisms, and at which took place the first Wedding, and in the living room of the house the first Divine Liturgies.

May God Bless the Christians of Thessaloniki who, with their "widow's mite" bolster the Mission to the nations. May God strengthen the members of the council of the Orthodox External Mission Brotherhood of Thessaloniki, and may He grant rest to the souls of the founders of her Brotherhood.

† Archbishop of New Zealand Amfilochios

Blessed three days in Fiji

From Friday July 3rd through Sunday the 5th, the humble and quiet corner of Sambeto was raised up to sacred heights and saw spiritual events.

From anonymity and insignificance Sambeto became the centre of Orthodoxy in the land of Fiji this far flung island land of the Pacific.

In only three days a sacred baptismal font was constructed in the courtyard of the mission house, a beautiful baptistery whose equal can be found neither here nor in New Zealand. Here visitations, conversations, and religious education took place. Thus, this little corner became a sign of anaphora to the port city of Nadi.


On Friday, in the presence of certain distinguished people of this community and land, the very first baptisms took place a couple; Symi and Louisa who received the baptismal names of Bartholomaios and Lydia. On Saturday the couple's wedding took place in an atmosphere of appropriate simplicity and royalty which springs forth from our sacred Orthodox tradition. Special emphasis to the event came from the love and offering of the sisters Gavriilia and Andrianna, as well as from the presence of Father Christodoulos (who just arrived from Colorado, of the United States) together with the most beloved Mr. John Johns (an attorney of the Omogenia). Both the newlywed couple and everyone in attendance were quite moved.

The grace of God was richly shared out upon this corner of Sambeto, which from here on out has entered into the annals of Orthodox history. The hearts of all the simple Fijians felt this historic significance, and they experienced unprecedented moments of emotion and joy.




On Sunday of this blessed three-day period we celebrated the Divine Liturgy. This Liturgy was the second ever, since the foundation of the earth, to occur on this little island that floats in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It marked the beginning of the sacred apostolic work of Orthodoxy in Fiji.


Orthodoxy of the Fijians and of the many Pacific Islanders has now entered into history. God has blessed it. Blessed be His name.

† Archbishop of New Zealand Amfilochios

Baptisms in New Zealand

Please click below to listen to sections from the Baptisms of New Zealanders Jeremiah and John:

Holy Liturgy

His Eminence's Homily

The Baptism

The Monastery

We are pleased to present the location, the first buildings and future plans for the completion of the first Orthodox Christian Monastery in New Zealand. One can ask, what is the reason for the existence of a monastery? We Orthodox Christians can very easily answer that such a monastery is necessary for one is the Holy and Catholic Church which supports, provides spiritual shelter and center for every feeble soul. In this idyllic environment Levin, AN estate owned 104 acres, will serve God first, soon THE FIRST holy male monastery of the Holy Metropolis of New Zealand, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in the name of the Synaxis of the Archangels (9x5) AND THE adjacent church of St. Basil (6x2.5) WILL cost about 60,000 euros, or
$130,000 N.Z.

We kindly ask you if you can donate whatever you can in this account:
Bank Westpac: Branch, 2 Devon St. East, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Name: Amfilochios Tsoukos
Full account number: 03-1566-0068447-00
Swift code: WPACNZ2W
Thank you for your support. May the Archangels be of help to you and your families and may you have the blessings of Saint Basil the organizer of Orthodox Monasticism.

† Archbishop of New Zealand Amfilochios

Easter in Hastings

TRANSLATION

The love and devotion of our Eminence Metropolitan Amfilochios for the Megemartyr Saint Demetrius, gave the opportunity to the Orthodox Christians of Hastings to celebrate Easter in a Greek Orthodox Church for the first time in the history of their area.

Over 80 years must have passed before the Orthodox people of Hastings had this opportunity to participate in listening to the readings of the twelve Holy Gospels and hearing Today he who suspended the earth amid the waters is suspended on the Tree in their own Orthodox Church.


With great emotion on Good Friday they began to decorate the Epitaphio very early in the morning. They managed to decorate it even though they had forgotten after all these years.That same evening with great satisfaction and joy they chanted the lamentations Christ, the Life, You were laid in a tomb, and the ranks of angels were amazed as they glorified Your condescension.

The Epitaphio was taken around the church and everyone had the opportunity to pass underneath it before going back into the church by doing so they received the blessing of the Epitaphio.”Today took us years back to when we were children, we would pass under the Epitaphio of our village,” they said wiping the tears from their eyes.

In the morning of Holy Saturday when Heirmonk Father Joachim began to chant the triumphal hymn Arise, O God, and be judge of the earth the banging sound of the only seat (something like a small pew made from wood where the base of the seat could be lifted up and down) was heard in the church according to the traditions of our Greek islands. This nice gesture symbolizes the joy of the resurrection.

In the evening of the resurrection we all chanted the hymn of the Christian faith: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and bestowing life on those in the graves, followed by the nice troparion from the canon of Saint John the Damascus: The day of the resurrection! O people let us be radiant. It is Pascha….

At the vespers of love, in the afternoon of Easter Sunday, in an orthodox atmosphere Greeks, Russians, Romanians and New Zealanders, all listened to the Gospel On the evening of that day, the first day of the week… and we cracked the blessed red eggs which we received from the hand of Father Joachim.

CHRIST IS RISEN
HE IS RISEN INDEED