Difference between revisions of "Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines"

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{{diocese|
 
{{diocese|
name=Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand, and All Oceania|
+
name=Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand|
 
jurisdiction=[[Church of Antioch|Antioch]]|
 
jurisdiction=[[Church of Antioch|Antioch]]|
 
type=[[Archdiocese]]|
 
type=[[Archdiocese]]|
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see=Sydney|
 
see=Sydney|
 
hq=Sydney, New South Wales, Australia|
 
hq=Sydney, New South Wales, Australia|
territory=Australia, New Zealand, and All Oceania|
+
territory=Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines|
language=Arabic, Belarus, Bulgarian, English, Filipino, French, German, Greek (church), Greek (modern), Macedonian, Moldovan, Persian, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slavonic (Church), Ukrainian|
+
language=Arabic, English, Filipino (others as needed)|
music=[[Bulgarian Chant|Bulgarian]], [[Byzantine Chant|Byzantine]], [[Russian Chant|Russian]] & [[Znamenny Chant|Znamenny]] Chant; Russian & Western Choral|
+
music=[[Byzantine Chant|Byzantine]], [[Russian Chant|Russian]] & [[Znamenny Chant|Znamenny]] Chant|
calendar=[[Revised Julian Calendar|Revised Julian]] and [[Julian Calendar]] (depending on parish)|
+
calendar=[[Revised Julian Calendar|Revised Julian]], [[Julian Calendar]] (depending on parish)|
population=7,525 ([[Statistics of Orthodoxy in Australia|Defective]]  [http://www.cra.org.au/pages/00000226.cgi Federal Census 2001]); 37,490 (2005 internal Archdiocesan census of active congregants)|
+
population=43,500 to 123,000|
website=[http://www.antiochian.org.au Antiochian Archdiocese]
+
website=[http://www.antiochianarch.org.au Antiochian Archdiocese]
 
}}
 
}}
The '''Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand, and All Oceania''', with headquarters in Sydney, is an [[archdiocese]] of the [[Church of Antioch]].  Its current [[primate]] is His Eminence [[Paul (Saliba) of Australia and New Zealand|Paul (Saliba)]], [[Metropolitan Archbishop]] of Australia, New Zealand, and All Oceania.
+
The '''Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines''', with headquarters in Sydney, is an [[archdiocese]] of the [[Church of Antioch]].  Its current [[primate]] is His Eminence [[Paul (Saliba) of Australia and New Zealand|Paul (Saliba)]], [[Metropolitan Archbishop]] of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Similar to most other jurisdictions in Australia, and other parts of the 'diaspora', a detailed early history of the Archdiocese is better told in terms of cities, which later formed into the  diocese, rather than the other way around.
+
:''Expanded in: [[History of Antiochian Orthodoxy in Australasia]]''
 +
The first wave of Syrian (now Lebanese) immigration was in the 1880-1890s, where work was found in hawking and peddling goods in the country areas of the eastern states of Australia. The first places of worship were in Sydney and Melbourne, with a Greek speaking priest who also spoke Arabic and, sometimes, Russian.  The Antiochian Orthodox faithful took part in the construction of both Holy Trinity, Sydney, and Holy Annunciation, Melbourne.
  
The first wave of Lebanese, then called Syrian, immigration was in the 1880-1890s, where work was found in hawking and peddling goods in the country areas of the eastern states of AustraliaThe first place of worship was usually in the capital cities of Sydney and Melbourne, with a Greek speaking priest who also spoke Arabic and sometimes Russian too.
+
Due to the problems concerning the election of an Arab Patriarch of Antioch in 1899 and the decision of the [[Church of Constantinople]] to appropriate jurisdiction of parishes in the diaspora to the [[Church of Greece]] with the sole use of Ecclesiastical Greek, these churches were effectively closed off from the Arab Orthodox, aside from the sacramentsHowever, these faithful would not be denied Orthodoxy in their language and culture, and founded three Antiochian Orthodox churches in Australasia: St George, Sydney (founded by Fr [[Nicholas Shehadie]], exarch); St Nicholas, Melbourne (founded by Archim. [[Antonious (Mobayed)|Antonious]]); and St Michael, Dunedin (founded by Hmk [[Nicholas (Manovitch)|Nicholas]].  These churches, founded in the 1920s and 1930s, continued to be the only Antiochian Orthodox parishes in Australasia through the period of the Exarchate.
  
===Sydney===
+
In 1969, the Church of Antioch sent Archimandrite Gibran (Ramlawey) to Australia as Patriarchal Exarch to find the best way to solve problems caused by two priests having to serve every Antiochian Orthodox in Australia.  On his recommendations, the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand was created, and Archimandrite Gibran was elected as [[Patriarchal Vicar]]Two parishes were created very soon after his arrival - St Nicholas, Punchbowl, NSW was created as a result of Bp [[Gibran (Ramlawey) of Australia and New Zealand|Gibran]]'s directive, and St George, Thornbury, Vic. was created as a result of tensions caused by differing waves of immigrants.
The Antiochian Orthodox faithful took part in the construction of a community church dedicated to the Holy Trinity in Surry Hills with the Greek and Russian Orthodox faithful. A priest was later provided by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of JerusalemDue to various difficulties regarding the 1898 deposition of the Greek speaking Patriarch of Antioch and the 1899 election of an Arabic speaking Patriarch of Antioch, the Syrian community then took to meeting in individual homes, only going to the church in Surry Hills for necessities.
 
  
In 1913, Father [[Nicholas Shehadie]] was sent to Australia as Exarch to determine the extent of the problem and to find possible solutions.  While this was intended to be temporary, World War I intervened preventing Father Nicholas from returning to Lebanon where his family resided. Hence, his stay became permanentHe realised the need for a church for the Antiochian Orthodox, and determined to build it. Divine Liturgy was held in parishioners' homes until that time.
+
The late 1980s saw some growth in parishes.  In 1985, a parish was created in Mays Hill, NSW; 1989 saw the first parish committee for a church in Brisbane, QldThe mid-1990s saw the first instance of growth by group conversion as a result of the Anglican Church of Australia's decision to ordain females, which gave the Diocese four parishes, a monastery and five priests, mostly parish priests who were assigned to pastor the flock that they had guided into Orthodoxy.
  
The State Government leased a block of land to the Church on the corner of Walker and Redfern Streets Redfern. The first Antiochian Orthodox church was built there and placed under the patronage of Saint George.
+
In 1999, Bp Gibran reposed.  The Holy Synod of Antioch, having raised Australia and New Zealand to an Archdiocese, consecrated Archim. Paul (Saliba), the Antiochian Orthodox parish priest of St. George Church in Washington DC, as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the new Archdiocese. His tenure has seen a rapid growth of parishes, clergy and the use of English in the Divine Liturgy of Antiochian Orthodox parishes.
  
In 1934, Exarch Nicholas Shehadie, suffering from chronic asthma, reposed in his early 70s.  Then his second son, [[Michael Shehadie|Michael]], became a priest.  During the time of his presbyterate at the Church of Saint George, the government lease expired. Fr Michael worked with the government to find a new site and, in 1950, they were granted land at the corner of Walker and Cooper Sts, Redfern, where the church - now cathedral - stands today.  However, Fr Michael never saw it built. In 1951, aged 56, he reposed.
+
From ten parishes at his enthronement in late 1999, the total at the end of eight years of Met. Abp Paul's tenure, at the close of 2007, stands at approximately 34 parishes or missions and 1 monastery, including three English-language parishes in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, served by 42 clergymen, including two university [[chaplain]]s in Melbourne and the first Orthodox military chaplain in Australia.
  
===Melbourne===
+
In 2008, a "historic moment in the history of...the Archdiocese" occurred, with the Archdiocese accepting two denominations in the Philippines, including over 30 religious leaders and 32 churches with ~6000 adherents, forming two vicariates in the Philippines (based in Davao and Manila, one for each former denomination)This event was especially marked by a change in the name of the Archdiocese to include 'Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines', with Met. Abp Paul as primate of all three [http://www.antiochianarch.org.au/NewsItem.aspx?i=38].  Notably, however, the Davao Vicariate would later leave the Antiochian Archdiocese and join [[ROCOR]] as [[Western Rite]] parishes.
By the early twentieth century, a significant number of Lebanese had settled in Melbourne. These families kept in contact with each other, working as hawkers, shopkeepers, or wholesalers, during the week, and using the weekend for social activities including meeting in the Exhibition Gardens on SundaysThe first Orthodox church in Melbourne, Holy Annunciation, was established in East Melbourne as a result of the joint effort by Greek-speaking, Arabic-speaking, and Russian speaking Orthodox. The services were in both Greek and Arabic, The altar servers were of Greek and Lebanese/Syrian descent, some of the icons were donated by Lebanese/Syrians, and the first warden was Lebanese.
 
  
By the 1920s, however, Holy Annunciation became a predominately Greek speaking church with a priest who could not speak Arabic.  Lebanese/Syrians were only attending special services at Holy Annunciation such as weddings, baptisms and funerals.  While some chose to send their children to Anglican or Protestant Sunday schools, neither the now-Greek Orthodox parish nor various protestant groups could meet the needs of the Antiochian Orthodox.  It was obviously necessary to found an Antiochian Orthodox parish.
 
 
In 1929, James Batrouney visited Lebanon/Syria, met Archimandrite [[Antonious (Mobayed)]], and on his return to Melbourne, Archim. Antonious was recommended as a suitable priest (being well-educated and speaking Arabic, Russian and Greek) for the church in Melbourne.  Patriarch Arsanios of Antioch commissioned Archim. Antonious as the first priest of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in Victoria. He arrived on 12 Nov 1931, bringing and donating everything essential for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Some of these items can still be found at Saint Nicholas Church today.
 
 
The first services were held in Saint George Anglican Mission, the beginning of a long and amicable relationship between Anglicans and Orthodox in Victoria.  In March 1932 the community purchased a church, where Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church stands today, using four £125 donations from John Batrouney, Joseph & Walter Davis, and Alex Malouly.  The iconostasis, based on the iconostasis of the [[Holy Resurrection Cathedral (Tokyo, Japan)|Holy Resurrection Cathedral]], Tokyo, was completed by Palm Sunday, 1932, when the first service was held in the Church.  At the first council meeting of May 1932, it was decided to name the church after St Nicholas.  The church was consecrated on 1 October 1933 by Metropolitan [[Timotheos (Evangelinidis) of Rhodes|Timotheos]], the head of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Australia and New Zealand.  The consecration, attended by Rev. F.E. Maynard (Anglican) and the Greek and French consuls, was chanted in Arabic, English, Greek, and Slavonic.
 
 
Saint Nicholas included both Arabic members and Russian members, the latter group also contributing to bringing Archim. Antonious to Australia, converting the church into an Orthodox church, writing icons, and organising a choir which would chant the Liturgy in Slavonic on every fourth Sunday.  When the Russians established their first church in Melbourne in the early 1950s, the committee of Saint Nicholas donated a Slavonic Bible in memory of Archim. Antonious, and as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the Syrian/Lebanese and the Russians.
 
 
With Arabic and Slavonic choirs, a youth society, Syrian/Lebanese youth that knew the service in Arabic, and a priest willing to travel to Sydney, Adelaide and New Zealand to raise funds for the fledgling church, St Nicholas had been built into a strong, pan-Orthodox church.  However, after a short illness, Archim. Antonious reposed on [[November 9]], 1943.  He was buried by Metropolitan Timotheos, assisted by Archimandrite [[Theophylactos (Papathanasopoulos) of Australia and New Zealand|Theophylactos]] and Fr [[Michael Shehadie]].
 
 
The Second World War precluded any replacement priest from either America or Antioch until after World War 2.  In 1948, Exarch [[George Haydar]] arrived, and was ideally suited to minister to migrants from Lebanon.  A rectory was built in 1953.  Exarch George reposed in 1962, and his funeral was conducted by Bishop Anthony, assisted by clergy from many jurisdictions.
 
 
In 1963, Fr [[Gabraeel Fadel]] arrived to serve at St Nicholas, and the parish entered a period of consolidation.  Fr Gabraeel left in 1967, to be replaced by Fr [[Malatius Hussney (Melbourne)|Malatius Hussney]], who was ordained in 1968.  Fr Malatius worked for the second wave of Lebanese immigrants to be actively involved in the running of St Nicholas.
 
 
===New Zealand===
 
*[http://www.antiochian.org.nz/parishes/Dunedin_Files/Dunedin.html The Antiochian Orthodox Church in Dunedin]
 
 
===Diocesan and Archdiocesan===
 
Following in the footsteps of his father and elder brother, John Shehadie became a priest.  Fr John served at St George church for a short time, after which he founded Saint Nicholas Church, Punchbowl, following one of the first directives of Bishop Gibran.  Fr John served here until his 1987 retirement.
 
 
*The [http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/category/7/30/21/ History section] of the Archdiocesan website.
 
*[http://www.geocities.com/abuelabed007/SPAH.htm History of St Paul's Antiochian Orthodox Church]. A history of the Archdiocese in the city of Brisbane.
 
  
 
{{orthodoxyinaustralasia}}
 
{{orthodoxyinaustralasia}}
 
+
<!--==Recent events==-->
==Recent History==
 
*Recent news of the Archdiocese can be found [http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/category/2/3/6/ here].
 
  
 
==Organisation==
 
==Organisation==
The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese is a single archdiocese spanning a number of countries. The Archbishop resides in Australia, there is a Deanery for New Zealand, and presences in other countries of the region.  There are 25 [[parish]]es and missions across Australia, 8 parishes and missions in the Deanery of New Zealand, and approximately 37,500 congregants in the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand, and All Oceania.  The Archdiocese also has one female monastery of [[Monastery of St Anna (Preston, Australia)|St Anna]] in Victoria, and founded the multi-jurisdictional [[Melbourne Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies]].
+
The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese is a single archdiocese spanning a number of countries. The Archbishop resides in Australia, and there is a Deanery for New Zealand and a Vicariate in the Philippines.  There are 25 [[parish]]es and missions across Australia, 8 parishes and missions in the Deanery of New Zealand and 32 parishes and missions in the Philippines; the Archdiocese estimates (2005) indicate ~37,490 active congregants in Australia and New Zealand, there are ~3,000 adherants in the Philippines, while the Prime Minister's estimate (2007) is that there are ~120,000 Antiochian Orthodox adherants in Australia.
  
The Antiochian Orthodox Diocese of Australasia (as it was then called) was a founding member of the [[Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Churches in Australia]]. The Antiochian Archdiocese says that SCCOCA, after being moribund for quite a number of years, finally became defunct in the year 2000.
+
The Archdiocese also has one female monastery of [[St. Anna Convent (Preston, Victoria)|St Anna]] in Victoria, co-founded the multi-jurisdictional [[Melbourne Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies]] and runs the [[St. Paul's Theological Course of Studies|St Paul's Theological Course of Studies]]. Many students of theology have been sponsored by the Archdiocese to study at Balamand University, at [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|St Vladimir's Seminary]], USA, or through the St Stephen's Course of Studies in Orthodox Theology via the [[Antiochian House of Studies]].
  
The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand, and All Oceania, was a founding member of [[Eastern Hierarchs]]. The Antiochian Archdiocese believes this is a friendly, effective organisation, working for the love of God spreading throughout the whole mystery of His Church.
+
The Antiochian Orthodox Diocese of Australasia (as it was then called) was a founding member of the [[Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Churches in Australia]] which, according to the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, was moribund for a number of years before becoming defunct in 2000.  The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand (as it was then called) was a founding member of [[Eastern Hierarchs]], believing it to be an organisation working towards spreading the love of God throughout the whole mystery of His Church.  It was part of the Episcopal Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in Oceania that met in 2010 in response to the Chambesy meeting.
  
== The Episcopacy ==
+
==Administration==
===Current Episcopacy===
+
===Current===
* Metropolitan Archbishop [[Paul (Saliba) of Australia and New Zealand|Paul (Saliba)]] of Australia, New Zealand and All Oceania.
+
* Metropolitan Archbishop [[Paul (Saliba) of Australia and New Zealand|Paul (Saliba)]] of Australia and New Zealand.
**[[Deanery of New Zealand (Antiochian)|Dean of New Zealand]] is [[Archpriest]] [[Jack Witbrock]].
+
**Vicar-General of Archdiocese, Dean of Cathedral: Right Reverend [[Archimandrite]] [[Nabil (Kachab)]].
**Vicar-General and Dean of the Cathedral is Right Reverend [[Archimandrite]] [[Nabil (Kachab)]]
+
**Dean of Australia: Archpriest [[George Nasr]].
**Dean of Clergy for the Archdiocese is Archpriest [[George Nasr]].
+
**[[Deanery of New Zealand (Antiochian)|Dean of New Zealand]]: [[Archpriest]] [[Jack Witbrock]].
 +
**Vicar of Manila: Archpriest Pascualito Monsato
  
===Primates in Australia and New Zealand===
+
===Bishops of Australia and New Zealand===
* Bishop [[Gibran (Ramlawey) of Australia and New Zealand|Gibran (Ramlawey)]], Bishop of Australia and New Zealand, 1969-1999.
+
* Bishop [[Gibran (Ramlawey) of Australia and New Zealand|Gibran (Ramlawey)]], Patriarchal Vicar of Australia and New Zealand, 1969-1999.
* Metropolitan Archbishop [[Paul (Saliba) of Australia and New Zealand|Paul (Saliba)]] of Australia, New Zealand, and All Oceania, 1999-present.
+
* Metropolitan Archbishop [[Paul (Saliba) of Australia and New Zealand|Paul (Saliba)]], Primate of Australia and New Zealand, 1999-present.
  
== See Also ==
+
==See Also==
* [[Antiochian parishes in Australasia]]
+
*[[Orthodoxy in Australia]]
 +
*[[Orthodoxy in New Zealand]]
 +
*[[Orthodoxy in the Philippines]]
  
===External===
+
==External links==
* [http://www.antiochian.org.au Official website of the Archdiocese]
+
* [http://www.antiochianarch.org.au Official website of the Archdiocese]
 
* [http://www.antiochian.org.nz Official website of the New Zealand Deanery]
 
* [http://www.antiochian.org.nz Official website of the New Zealand Deanery]
 
* [http://www.antiochpat.org Official website of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch]
 
* [http://www.antiochpat.org Official website of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch]
 
  
 
[[Category:Jurisdictions]]
 
[[Category:Jurisdictions]]
 
[[Category:Orthodoxy in Australia]]
 
[[Category:Orthodoxy in Australia]]
 
[[Category:Orthodoxy in New Zealand]]
 
[[Category:Orthodoxy in New Zealand]]
 +
[[Category:Dioceses]]
 +
[[Category:Antiochian Dioceses|Australia and New Zealand]]

Revision as of 23:06, May 4, 2011

Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand
Jurisdiction Antioch
Diocese type Archdiocese
Founded 1969
Current bishop Metr. Abp. Paul
See(s) Sydney
Headquarters Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Territory Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines
Liturgical language(s) Arabic, English, Filipino (others as needed)
Musical tradition Byzantine, Russian & Znamenny Chant
Calendar Revised Julian, Julian Calendar (depending on parish)
Population estimate 43,500 to 123,000
Official website Antiochian Archdiocese

The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines, with headquarters in Sydney, is an archdiocese of the Church of Antioch. Its current primate is His Eminence Paul (Saliba), Metropolitan Archbishop of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.

History

Expanded in: History of Antiochian Orthodoxy in Australasia

The first wave of Syrian (now Lebanese) immigration was in the 1880-1890s, where work was found in hawking and peddling goods in the country areas of the eastern states of Australia. The first places of worship were in Sydney and Melbourne, with a Greek speaking priest who also spoke Arabic and, sometimes, Russian. The Antiochian Orthodox faithful took part in the construction of both Holy Trinity, Sydney, and Holy Annunciation, Melbourne.

Due to the problems concerning the election of an Arab Patriarch of Antioch in 1899 and the decision of the Church of Constantinople to appropriate jurisdiction of parishes in the diaspora to the Church of Greece with the sole use of Ecclesiastical Greek, these churches were effectively closed off from the Arab Orthodox, aside from the sacraments. However, these faithful would not be denied Orthodoxy in their language and culture, and founded three Antiochian Orthodox churches in Australasia: St George, Sydney (founded by Fr Nicholas Shehadie, exarch); St Nicholas, Melbourne (founded by Archim. Antonious); and St Michael, Dunedin (founded by Hmk Nicholas. These churches, founded in the 1920s and 1930s, continued to be the only Antiochian Orthodox parishes in Australasia through the period of the Exarchate.

In 1969, the Church of Antioch sent Archimandrite Gibran (Ramlawey) to Australia as Patriarchal Exarch to find the best way to solve problems caused by two priests having to serve every Antiochian Orthodox in Australia. On his recommendations, the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand was created, and Archimandrite Gibran was elected as Patriarchal Vicar. Two parishes were created very soon after his arrival - St Nicholas, Punchbowl, NSW was created as a result of Bp Gibran's directive, and St George, Thornbury, Vic. was created as a result of tensions caused by differing waves of immigrants.

The late 1980s saw some growth in parishes. In 1985, a parish was created in Mays Hill, NSW; 1989 saw the first parish committee for a church in Brisbane, Qld. The mid-1990s saw the first instance of growth by group conversion as a result of the Anglican Church of Australia's decision to ordain females, which gave the Diocese four parishes, a monastery and five priests, mostly parish priests who were assigned to pastor the flock that they had guided into Orthodoxy.

In 1999, Bp Gibran reposed. The Holy Synod of Antioch, having raised Australia and New Zealand to an Archdiocese, consecrated Archim. Paul (Saliba), the Antiochian Orthodox parish priest of St. George Church in Washington DC, as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the new Archdiocese. His tenure has seen a rapid growth of parishes, clergy and the use of English in the Divine Liturgy of Antiochian Orthodox parishes.

From ten parishes at his enthronement in late 1999, the total at the end of eight years of Met. Abp Paul's tenure, at the close of 2007, stands at approximately 34 parishes or missions and 1 monastery, including three English-language parishes in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, served by 42 clergymen, including two university chaplains in Melbourne and the first Orthodox military chaplain in Australia.

In 2008, a "historic moment in the history of...the Archdiocese" occurred, with the Archdiocese accepting two denominations in the Philippines, including over 30 religious leaders and 32 churches with ~6000 adherents, forming two vicariates in the Philippines (based in Davao and Manila, one for each former denomination). This event was especially marked by a change in the name of the Archdiocese to include 'Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines', with Met. Abp Paul as primate of all three [1]. Notably, however, the Davao Vicariate would later leave the Antiochian Archdiocese and join ROCOR as Western Rite parishes.


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Organisation

The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese is a single archdiocese spanning a number of countries. The Archbishop resides in Australia, and there is a Deanery for New Zealand and a Vicariate in the Philippines. There are 25 parishes and missions across Australia, 8 parishes and missions in the Deanery of New Zealand and 32 parishes and missions in the Philippines; the Archdiocese estimates (2005) indicate ~37,490 active congregants in Australia and New Zealand, there are ~3,000 adherants in the Philippines, while the Prime Minister's estimate (2007) is that there are ~120,000 Antiochian Orthodox adherants in Australia.

The Archdiocese also has one female monastery of St Anna in Victoria, co-founded the multi-jurisdictional Melbourne Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies and runs the St Paul's Theological Course of Studies. Many students of theology have been sponsored by the Archdiocese to study at Balamand University, at St Vladimir's Seminary, USA, or through the St Stephen's Course of Studies in Orthodox Theology via the Antiochian House of Studies.

The Antiochian Orthodox Diocese of Australasia (as it was then called) was a founding member of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Churches in Australia which, according to the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, was moribund for a number of years before becoming defunct in 2000. The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand (as it was then called) was a founding member of Eastern Hierarchs, believing it to be an organisation working towards spreading the love of God throughout the whole mystery of His Church. It was part of the Episcopal Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in Oceania that met in 2010 in response to the Chambesy meeting.

Administration

Current

Bishops of Australia and New Zealand

  • Bishop Gibran (Ramlawey), Patriarchal Vicar of Australia and New Zealand, 1969-1999.
  • Metropolitan Archbishop Paul (Saliba), Primate of Australia and New Zealand, 1999-present.

See Also

External links