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Similar to most other jurisdictions in Australia, and other parts of the 'diaspora', a detailed early '''history of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, and New Zealand, and All Oceania''' is better told in terms of cities, which later formed into the [[diocese]], rather than the other way around.

The first wave of Lebanese, then called Syrian, immigration was in the 1880-1890s, when work was found in hawking and peddling goods in the country areas of the eastern states of Australia and in Dunedin. The Antiochian Orthodox faithful in Australia took part in the construction of a community church dedicated to the Holy Trinity in Surry Hills, Sydney, and to the Holy Annunciation, East Melbourne, with the Greek and Russian Orthodox faithful. Priests [[Priest]]s able to speak Greek and Arabic and, sometimes, Russian, were later provided by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. Services were done in different 'old-world ' languages, servers of the parishes were from various immigrant backgrounds, and icons [[icon]]s were donated by people from all Orthodox ethnicities.

Problems overseas created local catastrophes. The 1898 deposition of the Greek speaking Patriarch of Antioch, and the subsequent 1899 election of an Arabic speaking Patriarch of Antioch, caused an adverse reaction on the part of hellenophonic patriarchates. The [[Patriarchate of Constantinople ]] awarded the jurisdiction of overseas parishes to the newly-recognised [[Church of Greece]] in 1908, with the stipulation that services be in Ecclesiastical Greek.

In Sydney, the effect was virtually immediate; in Melbourne, a priest who could speak Arabic was there until the 1920s. In response, the Syrian communities took to meeting in individual homes, only going to the Greek Orthodox [[parish ]] for necessities, mainly baptisms, weddings and funerals. Some of the Antiochian Orthodox, in lieu of another alternative, chose to send their children to Anglican or Protestant Sunday schools. However, neither the now-Greek Orthodox parish nor various protestant groups could meet the needs of the Antiochian Orthodox: it was obviously necessary to found Antiochian Orthodox parishes.

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 permanent. He 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.

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 revoked the church lease, resumed the land for housing development, and demolished the church. Fr Michael vigorously pressured the government to provide a new site, and in 1950 they were granted land at the corner of Walker and Cooper Streets in Redfern, where the church - now a [[cathedral ]] - stands today. However, Fr Michael never saw it built. In 1951, aged 56, worn out by the battle with the state government, he reposed.

In 1953, V Rev [[Malatius Hussney (Sydney)|Malatius Hussney]] was appointed Patriarchal Exarch and [[rector ]] of St George. During his time as rector, the foundation stone for the new church was laid, with the first services in 1954. He was succeeded by Archim. [[Anthony Woolf]], who was Patriarchal Exarch and rector 1957-61. Following the death in Cairo of Archim. Anthony, Rev Fr Anthony Chidiac was appointed to serve the parish of St George in Redfern. He died in a motor vehicle accident on [[October 19 October ]], 1962. In January 1963 a visiting priest from Kousba, Lebanon, V Rev Exarch Emilianos Shehadie served the parish until 17 July 1963. On [[September 22]], 1963, by kind permission of Archbishop Ezekiel ([[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand|GOA]]), Rev Fr John Catsaras, formerly of Sfax in Tunisia, temporarily served the parish.

On [[September 22June 18]], 19631964, Fr Nicolas Mansour arrived in Sydney from Beirut, Lebanon, and commenced duties as [[parish]] priest with a liturgy on Sunday [[June 21]], 1964. Soon after his arrival, the church was consecrated by kind permission Bp [[Dionysios (Psiahas) of Archbishop Ezekiel Proussa|Dionysios]] (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New ZealandGOA), Rev Fr John Catsaras, formerly of Sfax and in Tunisia temporarily served 1967 the parishchurch hall and presbytery were completed. The willing assistance However, the spread of Antiochian faithful all Greek Orthodox hierarchs since their arrival in Australia in 1924 over New South Wales was notable until more recent times. Especially so was the friendly fraternal assistance of Archbishop Ezekieltoo much for one parish priest.

On [[June 18]], 1964, Fr Nicolas Mansour arrived in Sydney from Beirut, Lebanon and commenced duties as parish priest with a liturgy on Sunday [[June 21]], 1964. Soon after his arrival, the church was consecrated by Bp Dionysios (GOA), and in 1967 the church hall and presbytery were completed. However, the spread of Antiochian faithful all over New South Wales was too much for one parish priest.  At the request of Fr Nicolas, the Church of Antioch sent Archimandrite Gibran to Australia to find out how to solve the problem. On Archim. Gibran's recommendations, the [[Holy Synod ]] elevated the Exarchate of Australia and New Zealand to a patriarchal diocese. Archim. Gibran was consecrated a [[bishop ]] and appointed [[Patriarchal Vicar]] of the new [[diocese]].

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 [[October 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 an Anglican minister, Rev. F.E. Maynard (Anglican) , and the Greek and French consuls, was chanted in Arabic, English, Greek, and Slavonic.

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 (Essam) Hussney|Malatius (Essam) Hussney]], who was [[ordination|ordained ]] in 1968. Fr Malatius worked for the second wave of Lebanese immigrants to be actively involved in the running of St Nicholas.

Mrs Anthony Idour wrote to the [[Patriarch ]] of Antioch, through the [[Bishop ]] of Tripoli, and permission was given to proceed with building a church. A committee headed by Jack Idour raised 480 pounds in just over 6 months, paying for the building. Generous donors included Acton Adams of the Moa Flat Station, and Bishop Nevill of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese.

During times that there was no Orthodox priest, which were always visiting until 1971, the church was closed. In 1916, Fr [[Nicholas Shehadie]] spent 2-3 months in Dunedin, holding Orthodox services. In 1937, Archim. [[Antonious (Mobayed)]] stayed in Dunedin for several months, during which time it was arranged that, having instructed them in the rudiments of Eastern Orthodox Liturgics, Canon A.P. Pywell, and then the Vicar of Holy Cross Anglican Church in St Kilda, would look after the congregation as an interim measure. Archim. Antonious visited Dunedin for the last time in 1939. The care of St Michael's became an accepted responsibility of the Vicars of Holy Cross, St. Kilda, until 1971.

In 1969, Bp [[Gibran (Ramlawey) of Australia and New Zealand|Gibran]], having been consecrated by Metropolitan [[Philip (Saliba) of New York]], arrived in Sydney, Australia. In 1973, Bp Gibran wanted a new church built in the western suburbs of Sydney. Fr [[John Shehadie]], son of Exarch Nicholas Shehadie, was appointed priest of the new church of St Nicholas, Punchbowl, and served there until his 1987 retirement.

In Melbourne1971, an Anglican priest in New Zealand decided, seeing the desire trend of Fr Malatius Hussney Anglicanism away from its traditional roots, to actively involve new arrivals convert to Australia led to a splitOrthodoxy, with the older members and was ordained in September 1972 by Bp [[Gibran (Ramlawey) of St Nicholas feeling unwantedAustralia and New Zealand|Gibran]]. As a result, Fr [[Jack Witbrock]] served as [[rector]] of St George was founded in ThornburyMichael's, MelbourneDunedin, in 1972for the next 12 years until he was succeeded by Fr [[Ilyan Eades]].

In 1971Melbourne, an Anglican priest in New Zealand decided, seeing the trend desire of Anglicanism away from its traditional roots, Fr Malatius Hussney to convert actively involve new arrivals to OrthodoxyAustralia led to a split, with the older members of St Nicholas feeling unwanted; as a result, and St George was ordained founded in Thornbury, Melbourne, in September 1972 by . The next year, Bp [[Gibran (Ramlawey) wanted a new church built in the western suburbs of Australia and New Zealand|Gibran]]Sydney. Fr [[Jack WitbrockJohn Shehadie]] served as rector , son of Exarch Nicholas Shehadie, was appointed priest of the new church of St Michael'sNicholas, DunedinPunchbowl, for the next 12 yearsand served there until his 1987 retirement.

In 1982, Fr Elias Khoury was ordained to the priesthood, and assigned to St Nicholas, Punchbowl. In 1985, he was elevated to Archpriest. In the same year, a new parish was established in Mays Hill and named St Mary's, for the Nativity of the [[Theotokos|Mother of God]]. The first priest was Fr [[John Shehadie|Hanna Shehadie]], and the community worshipped in Granville. In 1987, St Mary's - now led by Fr [[Stephen Godley]] - moved to Merrylands; also in 1985, a parish in Wollongong was founded and named for St Elias.

In 19851986, a new parish was established in Mays Hill, and named St MaryGeorge'sdecided to purchase its own church from the Anglican Church. Renovation started immediately, and were completed in 1988, when renovations of the hall began - these were completed in 1991, for making the Nativity hall one of the [[Theotokos|Mother of God]]most attractive Arabic special events halls in Melbourne. The first priest was Fr [[John Shehadie | Hanna Shehadie]]In 1994, and the community worshipped in Granvilleproperty adjacent to St George's (including a rectory) was purchased.

In 19861987 was a landmark year, St George's with the Antiochian Orthodox Churchof St George, MelbourneRedfern, decided Sydney, being elevated to purchase its own church, and did so from the Anglican Church. Renovation started immediatelyCathedral of the Diocese.

In 19871989, St Mary's moved to MerrylandsBp Gibran appointed the first committee of a new parish in Brisbane, which was registered in 1990. In 1993, led by Fr [[Stephen Godley]], and in John Abdel-Karim became the same year, first parish priest of the Antiochian Orthodox Church of St GeorgePaul, RedfernWoolloongabba, Sydney, was elevated to CathedralBrisbane.

In 1988The site for St Mary's, Mays Hill, was purchased in January 1991, with Fr Emile Assaf being transferred from St Nicholas, Melbourne, to pastor the new church with Fr Aziz Abwi. The first services were held in the church building purchased by hall of St GeorgeMary's had completed its renovation. After thisin 1994, with the renovation of first services in the hall beganchurch being on Good Friday, 1999.

In 19891994, Bp Gibran appointed Fr Elias Khoury, parish priest of St Nicholas, Punchbowl, began working with the first committee Department of Community Services and administered a new parish in Brisbaneprogram, Ortho-Care, which was registered in 1990designed to help those requiring financial and spiritual assistance.

In 1991the mid-1990s, changing beliefs and practises in the hall Anglican Communion, culminating in the ordination of women to the priesthood, caused a number of clergy to leave the Anglican Communion and join the Orthodox Church. Many of these moved to the Antiochian Orthodox Church, creating St Barnabas Parish, Gold Coast; St GeorgeAnthony the Great Parish, Perth; [[St. Anna Convent (Preston, Victoria)|St Anna's churchMonastery]], Melbourne; and a parish in Canberra (which later moved to [[Diocese of Australia and New Zealand (ROCOR)|ROCOR]]), Thornburyalong with other clergy, was completedincluding Rev. Fr Geoff Harvey, and is now one of the most attractive Arabic special event venues in Melbournewho were assigned to pre-existing churches.

In January 19911998, the site for a parish at Mt Pritchard was founded and dedicated to St Mary's, Mays Hill, for the Dormition of the Mother of God. Bishop Gibran reposed on 16 January 1999 after thirty years of service for the Church in Australia and New Zealand. Fr Elias Khoury was purchased, with Fr Emile Assaf being transferred from St Nicholas, Melbourne, to pastor named as the temporary administrator of the new parish with Fr Aziz Abwidiocese.

==Archdiocese==In 1993September 1999, Fr John Abdel-Karim became the first parish priest Holy Synod of Antioch decided to elevate the Church diocese of St Australia and New Zealand to archdiocese with its own ruling metropolitan archbishop. Archimandrite Paul, Woolloongabba, Brisbane. In 1994parish priest in Washington DC, the first services were held in the church hall was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of St Mary's, Mays Hill. Fr Elias Khoury began working with the Department [[Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Community Services Australia and administered a new program, Ortho-Care, designed to help those requiring financial New Zealand]]. He arrived in Australia and spiritual assistance. St George's, Thornbury, purchased the property (with rectory) adjacent to took possession of the churcharchdiocese on 29 November 1999.

Bishop Gibran reposed on 16 January 1999prompted a flurry of activity. Fr Elias Khoury was named as In December, Met. Abp Paul visited Newcastle and Brisbane, and prompted the decision to build the temporary administrator church of the dioceseSt Paul in Woolloongabba, Brisbane. The first services Three parishes were held formed in the new church of 1999, including St Mary'sIgnatius Mission, Canberra, Mays HillBuna-Vestire Church, on Good Friday 1999Bankstown (NSW) and St Herman of Alaska, Canterbury (Vic).

==Archdiocese==In September 1999January 2000, the Holy Synod Fr John Vesic was appointed parish priest of St Mary's Church, Mays Hill, which is especially notable as Fr John does not speak Arabic. In June of Antioch decided to elevate the diocese of Australia and New Zealand to archdiocese with its own ruling metropolitan archbishop. Archimandrite Paulsame year, parish priest Fr Nicholas Gan (in Washington DC, Newcastle) was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop released to join the Moscow Patriarchate. The Holy Synod of Moscow accepted him on 19 July 2000, along with the [[Antiochian Eastern Orthodox Archdiocese Parish of Australiathe Theophany at Mayfield West, New ZealandNewcastle, and All Oceania]]. He arrived in Australia and took possession which had been under the care of his archdiocese Bp Gibran on 29 November 2006behalf of Moscow.

2001 was another time of great activity for the Archdiocese, particularly in New Zealand: St George, Auckland, St George, Wellington, and Sts Gregory of Nyssa and Marina, Diamond Harbour, were all founded in this year. In December 1999Australia, Met Abp St Paul visited Newcastle , Dandenong (Vic) was founded; and then Brisbane. He prompted in December 2001, Fr John Vesic was appointed parish priest of the decision to build newly-formed Ss Michael and Gabriel parish, the church of St Paul first English-speaking Antiochian Orthodox parish in New South Wales. The new parish worshipped in rented premises in WoolloongabbaHomebush until 2005, Brisbanewhen it moved to West Ryde.

In January 2000the meantime, Fr John Vesicthe Church of St Paul, a priest who does not speak ArabicBrisbane, was appointed parish priest of St Mary's Churchcelebrated its first services in their new church in 2002, Mays Hillwith this church being consecrated in 2006.

In June 20002003 was a third time of great activity. The first English-speaking Antiochian Orthodox parish in Victoria was established, with Fr Nicholas Gan Geoff Harvey as the founding priest, under the patronage of Newcastle the Good Shepherd. Later, worship was released moved to join Monash University, with Fr Geoff becoming the Moscow Patriarchatefirst Antiochian Orthodox university chaplain in Australia. The Holy Synod of Moscow accepted him on 19 July 2000 Also in 2003, two parishes in New Zealand were founded, along with the Parish of the Theophany at Mayfield WestMelbourne Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Newcastle, which had been under the care of Bp Gibran on behalf of Moscowwhere studies began in 2004.

In December 20012004, Fr John Vesic was appointed at the instigation of Met Abp Paul, the parish priest of Ss Michael and Gabriel parishSt Nicholas Bankstown, bought the land that the church is on from the first fully English-speaking Antiochian Orthodox parish in New South WalesNSW government. The new property is held for the parish worshipped in rented premises in Homebush until 2005by the Antiochian Orthodox Church Property Trust.

In 2002August 2005, Archpriest [[Nicolas Mansour]] retired from full-time pastoral work, ending 42 years of service at the first services were held in the new church Cathedral. Archim. [[Nabil (Kachab)]], formerly of St PaulNicholas, WoolloongabbaPunchbowl, Brisbanereplaced him as Dean of the Cathedral.

In 2004December 2006 saw Fr John Vesic released to the [[Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand]], when he was replaced at the instigation of Met Abp Paul, the parish of St Nicholas Bankstown, bought the land that the church is on from the NSW governmentSts Michael and Gabriel by Fr Luke Bell. The property is held After Fr Luke left the Archdiocese in trust for the parish late 2007, he was succeeded by the Antiochian Orthodox Church Property TrustFr Antonio Cagnoni.

In August 2005Since his conversion from the Church of Christ and his ordination in 2006, Archpriest Fr [[Nicolas Mansour]] retired from full-time pastoral work, ending 42 years of service at the Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral John D'Alton has made several inroads in a number of St Georgevery important areas. Archim. [[Nabil (Kachab)]]In the first 18 months after his ordination, formerly he was made the university chaplain of St NicholasLa Trobe University, Punchbowlthe first Orthodox military chaplain in Australia, replaced him as Dean is the rector of the Cathedral Holy Transfiguration Mission, Belgrave Heights, and parish priest is the president of Redfernthe [[Melbourne Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies]].

In December 2006 Father John Vesic was released to the Serbian ==Related articles==*[[Antiochian Orthodox Diocese Archdiocese of Australia to assist and New Zealand]]*[[Clergy in the Church Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of his mother-tongue. At the same time, Father Luke Bell was appointed parish priest Australia and New Zealand]]*[[Timeline of Saints Michael and Gabriel Parish West Ryde. Father Luke was born Orthodoxy in England and grew up Australia]]*[[Timeline of Orthodoxy in Perth Western Australia. New Zealand]]