Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand facts for kids
The Diocese of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand is a special church area for the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. It covers Australia and New Zealand. Think of it like a region managed by a bishop. Its main office is in Sydney.
Contents
History of the Diocese
The first Russian Orthodox church in Australia was St Nicholas Church. It was started in 1926 in Brisbane. Today, it is known as St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
The Australian part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia was officially created in 1946. Its main church office was first at St Nicholas Church in Brisbane.
In 1950, the main office moved to Sydney. It found its new home at the Ss Peter and Paul Cathedral.
Later, in 1994, the Korean Orthodox mission became part of this Australian and New Zealand diocese. This happened by a special decision from the church leaders.
In 2005, churches in Indonesia that followed older traditions also joined the diocese. A mission was also set up in Pakistan in 2012.
Church Leaders (Bishops)
Bishops are important leaders in the church. They oversee the different church areas, like the Diocese of Sydney.
Diocesan Bishops
These bishops are the main leaders of the entire diocese.
- Theodore (Rafalsky) (December 12, 1946 - May 5, 1955)
- Sabbas (Raevsky) (1955 - September 5, 1969)
- Athanasius (Martos) (September 5, 1969 - July 23, 1970)
- Sabbas (Raevsky) (July 23 - November 25, 1970) (acting leader)
- Theodosius (Putilin) (November 25, 1970 - August 13, 1980)
- Paul (Pavlov) (August 1980 – 1992)
- Daniel (Alexandrov) (March 18, 1992 - 1994) (acting leader)
- Alypius (Gamanovich) (April 7 - May 1994)
- Barnabas (Prokofiev) (January 11 - September 1995)
- Hilarion (Kapral) (June 20, 1996 - May 16, 2022)
- George (Schaefer) (since May 17, 2022)
Vicar Bishops
Vicar bishops help the main diocesan bishop. They often look after specific areas within the diocese.
Bishops of Brisbane
- Athanasius (Martos) (September 5, 1950 - October 17, 1953)
- Philaret (Voznesensky) (May 26, 1963 - May 27, 1964)
- Constantine (Essensky) (December 10, 1967 - September 1974)
- Gabriel (Chemodakov) (July 7 - October 6, 1996)
Bishops of Melbourne
- Athanasius (Martos) (December 22, 1949 - September 5, 1950; October 1953)
- Sabbas (Raevsky) (January 18, 1954 - May 1955)
- Anthony (Medvedev) (November 16, 1956 - 1968)
- Theodosius (Putilin) (November 29, 1969 - November 25, 1970)
Bishops of Canberra
- George (Schaefer) (October 7, 2014 - September 21, 2022)
