The Very Reverend [[Exarch]] '''Nicholas Shehadie''' was the first [[priest]] of ==Background==In 1898 the [[Antiochian Greek-speaking Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Patriarch of Australia, New Zealand, Antioch and All Oceania|Antiochian the East was deposed for prohibiting church services in Arabic. His Arabic-speaking successor elected in 1899 was not recognised by the Patriarchate of Constantinople who agitated against all Arabic-speaking Orthodox]] [[parish]]es . This resulted in Australia a world-wide fracture between 1913 the Greek-speaking and 1934the Arabic-speaking Orthodox.

Born in the 1860sUntil this fracture, Fr Nicholas Shehadie was sent in 1913 to Australia as Exarch to determine the extent of relations between the problem and to find possible solutionstwo linguistic groupings had been most amicable. HoweverIn Australia, while until this was intended to be temporaryfracture, World War I meant that Father Nicholas could not return both groups worked together to Lebanon where his family was; henceestablish community churches for all Orthodox, his stay became permanentregardless of linguistic or ethnic origin. He realised the need for a church for the Antiochian The Russian-speaking Orthodox, and determined to built it, with [[Divine Liturgy|Divine Liturgies]] being held in parishioners' homes until that timealso suffered fallout following this fracture.

The State Government leased a block of land to In 1908 Constantinople removed the Church on Orthodox churches in Australia from the corner jurisdiction of Walker and Redfern Stsneutral Jerusalem, and gave them to the first Antiochian Orthodox church was built and placed under [[Church of Greece]] with the patronage of St Georgestipulation that all services were to be in Church Greek only. This church is now deprived the cathedralArabic-speaking Orthodox and the Russian-speaking Orthodox of effective spiritual comfort.

Fr ==Exarch of Australia and New Zealand==Born in 1862, Father Nicholas Shehadie was sent to Australia in 1913 as Patriarchal Exarch for his family over a number Australia and New Zealand to determine the extent of years, and the family came in stages: His sons George deprivation and Albert, and daughter Mary arrived firstto find possible solutions. While this was intended to be temporary, followed by John and Pauline (16-year-old twins) in 1922World War I intervened, preventing Father Nicholas from returning to Lebanon and then fully reunited with his family. After the arrival of war his wife Alexandra, his son Elias, stay became permanent and he exported his son Michael's family—wife Hannah, and baby girls Alexandra and Paulettechildren from Lebanon to Australia.

In 1934He realised the need for a church for the Syrian Orthodox (as they were then known), Exarch Nicholas Shehadie reposedand determined to build it, with [[Divine Liturgy|Divine Liturgies]] being held in his early 70sparishioners' homes until that time.

LaterIn 1920, the State Government leased a block of land to the Church on the corner of Walker and Redfern Streets Redfern, and the first Syrian (later Antiochian) Orthodox church was built and placed under the patronage of Saint George. This church was demolished by the State Government shortly after the last worship service there on 14 May 1950. In October 1953 a replacement church was opened on the corner of Walker and Cooper Streets Redfern. This church is now the Antiochian Orthodox cathedral for Australia, New Zealand, and All Oceania. Father Nicholas sent for his family over a number of years, and the family came in stages. His sons George and Albert, and daughter Mary arrived first, followed by John and Pauline (16-year-old twins) in 1922, and then fully reunited with the arrival of his wife Alexandra, his son Elias, and his son Michael's family - wife Hannah, and baby girls Alexandra and Paulette. On 15 May 1934, Exarch Nicholas Shehadie reposed as a result of an asthma attack, aged 72. The funeral service held at Saint George Redfern, was presided over by Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Australia Timotheous. Burial was at Botany Cemetery.  Following his father's repose his second son, [[Michael Shehadie|Michael]], became a was ordained priest; , and then succeeded his father as parish priest of Saint George Redfern. Later another son, [[John Shehadie|John]], became a priest.

title=Patriarchal Exarch of Australiaand New Zealand<br>([[Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, and New Zealand, and All Oceania|Church of Antioch]])|

after=Fr [[Malatius Hussney Antonious (SydneyMobayed)|Malatius Hussney]]}}