QA #6 - How old should children be to approach the chalice on their own?

Children under five years of age are to be accompanied by a parent/adult when going for Holy Communion. Ideally, children who come up by themselves should be tall enough not to require an adult to lift them. The priest should not be forced to risk spilling communion while bending down for small children.

Our parish is blessed with many children and it is a joy to see them in Church. However, parents should teach children about respect that is due to the house of God. It should not be treated as a playground.

QA #5 - How should I handle the blessed bread?

After receiving Holy Communion and at the end of the Divine Liturgy, it is customary to receive a piece of blessed bread (antidoron) - the bread that was left over after Holy Gifts were prepared.

While antidoron is not Holy Communion, it is blessed bread, and as such, it should be eaten carefully so that crumbs do not fall. Both adults and children should always remember to treat and consume the antidoron with respect.

The word “antidoron” means “in lieu of the Gift” and this practice was developed in early Byzantine times when weekly Communion was no longer the rule.

QA #4 - Who compiled the New Testament?

The one, holy catholic and apostolic Church compiled the New Testament. This occurred in the fourth century. Canonical books were verified via the wisdom of the Church Councils and by the fathers of the Church.

QA #3 - How many people are Orthodox?

It is estimated that there are over 250 million Orthodox Christians worldwide.

Number of Orthodox in Australia: 563 100, or 2.6% of Australia's population.

You can read more about the details of Orthodox Christians in Australia here.

QA #2 - What should I do when my child starts crying in church?

Rather than disturb the prayers inside, it is best to take the child outside until quiet resumes. You will have plenty of time to participate in a full service when the child is older.

QA #1 - What is prosphora and how do I order it?

Prosphora are used to commemorate your relatives – both living and deceased.

The Priest takes out a small portion from each one and places them in the chalice at the conclusion of the liturgy. This confers a great blessing on the people commemorated.

Prosphora must be ordered at the candle kiosk before the gospel reading. You then collect them after Holy Communion.

History of Church Building

History of the Building of the new church, 'Protection of the Mother of God', by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Harrison Street, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia.

During the late 1970's and early 1980's clergy and parishioners of the Protection of the Mother of God Cathedral in Collingwood began seeking a new church site. The move was necessary as the site in Collingwood was not large enough to expand (the land owned is entirely taken up by the present bluestone church building and the adjacent church hall) and restrictions on parking were inconvenient, especially during weekdays. Ideally, the parish preferred to build a new church but its existing resources, it was thought, did not permit this. Purchasing an existing building was thought to be faster, simpler and less expensive.

The Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God. (October 1/14)

Already from the 13th century the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God has been one of the most loved feasts of the Russian people. In its significance for Russian people it gives way only to the feasts of Annunciation, the Nativity of Christ and the Bright Resurrection of Christ. It is also a Russian national feast day.

Of great attraction is the underlying idea of this feast day itself. The Mother of God Herself keeps constant vigil over the Christian world and protects it.

As to the spreading of the celebration of this feast in Russia, it was doubtlessly influenced by spiritual and emotional peculiarities of the Russian people, who profoundly apprehended the veneration of the Mother of God.

At the end of the 9th century and the beginning of the 10th century there lived in Constantinople a holy man, St. Andrew, the Fool for Christ. At the age of 17 he was brought (as a slave) by a certain Byzantine nobleman, the head of the Imperial Bodyguard. He was of Scythian origin (the region that is now southern Russia). In the house of his master he received the education common at the time, and thanks to his abilities he was shortly appointed a secretary to the nobleman.

Sisterhood

The Sisterhood of the Holy Protection Cathedral is calling!

Participate in the work of the Sisterhood.

One of the goals of the Sisterhood is to continue undertaking Buffet Lunches every Sunday for the raising of funds for the needs of the parish.

These Buffet Lunches also creates a great social environment for parishioners.

One of the current needs of the church is the raising of funds for completing the iconography on the 6 columns - 24 icons in total.

We are accepting donations for the cost of painting one icon as a permanent prayerful memory of your family.

Phone: (03) 9393 2839 or 0411090550

Protection Parish Newsletter - June/September 2012

News

• The Sisterhood prepared a wonderful buffet forFr Peter Sheko's namesday which was celebrated in the hall on July 12.
• This year's Annual General Meeting was held on 27th July. On this occasion it was conducted in both Russian and English. Parishioners are encouraged to become members and thereby contribute to the running of the Church.
• The Collingwood property has been listed for sale.
• Fr Kyril held a movie night on August 24. The film “Mr Vig and the nun” told the true story of a Danish convert who donated his castle to the church. It is now a thriving Russian Orthodox convent.
• In August, Archpriests Fr Nicholas Dalinkiewicz, Fr Michael Protopopov and Fr Igor Filianovsky attended a conference on the Life of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America and Oceania sponsored by the Russian Consulate in San Francisco. Fr Nicholas also served a moleben for the clergy and parishioners of Holy Protection Cathedral before the Relics of St John, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco.
• 13 years ago, a photo exhibition was held at Russian House which provided an insight into the history of the parish. The photos from that exhibition have been kept and a project is underway to scan them and store them digitally. For further information contact Ian Smith (ian.smith@csiro.au)
• World renowned Orthodox speaker Frederica Mathewes-Green gave a presentation to parishioners on Saturday, 1st September as part of her Australian tour. Our parish seminar was attended by about 130 people and the proceedings were filmed by Nicholas Sherman (ACS) who will be producing a 1-hour DVD. This video will also include highlights of an interview with her. Frederica speaks on a wide range of topics – movie reviews, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the pro-life cause, marriage, family, and culture. She has published nine books, and travels widely to give talks all year round. (www.frederica.com)
• Archbishop Michael of Geneva served liturgy on Sunday, 2nd September. After the liturgy the sisterhood prepared a delicious meal for the clergy to welcome the visiting hierarch.