Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Saint Michael Archangel in Sydney facts for kids

The Melkite Greek Eparchy of Saint Michael Archangel is a special church area in Sydney, Australia. It's like a diocese for the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. This eparchy is led by Bishop Robert Rabbat. It was started in March 1987.

What is an Eparchy?

An eparchy is a type of church district, similar to a diocese in the Roman Catholic Church. It is led by a bishop, who is called an Eparch. The Melkite Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church. This means it is in full communion with the Pope in Rome, but it follows its own traditions and ways of worship. These traditions are part of the Byzantine Rite.

Where is the Eparchy Located?

The Eparchy of Saint Michael Archangel covers all followers of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Australia and New Zealand. Its main office is in Darlington, a suburb of Sydney, in New South Wales. The main church, called the Cathedral of St. Michael and All Angels, is also in Darlington.

How Many People and Parishes?

The eparchy is divided into 13 parishes, which are like local church communities. In 2010, there were about 50,000 Catholics belonging to this eparchy.

History of the Melkite Church in Australia

The story of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Australia began in the mid-1800s. At that time, Christians from the Middle East started moving to Australia. The first groups settled in cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. As more and more believers arrived, they needed places to practice their faith. They especially wanted to celebrate the Eucharist in their own Byzantine Rite tradition.

Building the First Church

In 1889, a priest named Silwanos Mansour visited Australia from Lebanon. He was part of the Basilian Chouerite Order. When he saw the need of the Melkite faithful, he decided to stay. He received permission to serve the Church in Sydney. Father Mansour started collecting money to build a church. In 1891, the first stone for the Melkite Greek Catholic church was laid. A Roman Catholic bishop blessed the foundation stone. The church was finished and dedicated in 1895. It became a meeting place for many Christians from different Eastern Churches. Since 1895, this church has been known as the "Saint Michael Archangel" Cathedral.

Official Establishment of the Eparchy

Pope John Paul II officially created the eparchy on March 26, 1987. This was done through a special church document called an Apostolic constitution. Later, on September 22, 1999, Pope John Paul II extended the eparchy's area. This meant it would also include Melkite faithful living in New Zealand.

Leaders of the Eparchy

The Eparchy of Saint Michael Archangel has had several bishops since it was created:

• George Riashi, B.C. (March 26, 1987 – July 28, 1995)
• Issam John Darwich, BSO, D.D. (August 4, 1995 – June 15, 2011)
• Robert Rabbat (June 15, 2011 – present)

See also

In Spanish: Eparquía de San Miguel en Sídney para niños

• Roman Catholicism in Australia