Day 361 - 60 years of our parish

Today our parish celebrated 60 years since its founding. Our bishop, also Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, served along with many priests and deacons. The choir was fuller than usual (I think 40 voices according to our conductor) since we are also hosting the annual Youth Convention.


My grandfather was one of the first church wardens of the Melbourne Orthodox church, giving most of his time and supporting the bishop with various issues within Australian parishes. He died of cancer at the age of 45. Some of his close friends, including those who came over on the same ship as he did, still play a valuable part in the life of the parish, giving up much of their time to help things run smoothly. This is a photo of the wife of one of my grandfather's best friends, who is still actively involved in the parish despite illness.



My husband's relatives who live in Russia send photos and write warm, interesting emails. I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if my family hadn't been forced to leave their country. This recent photo is from St Petersburg - a contrast to our own weather.

Day 357 - Mango dessert

Preparation for Christmas eve has included a tiramisu-style mango dessert. My grandmother was Lutheran and so our family tradition is to attend the Christmas eve German service at the Lutheran church in the city (across the road from St Patrick's), and then come back to a meal and the exchanging of gifts around the tree. I've always loved the atmosphere inside the little bluestone church. A very tall Christmas tree stands in the altar, decorated tastefully with large red balls, straw stars, silver 'rain' and white lights. Each white-washed, leadlight window ledge has fir branches and a simple white candle. The cathedral ceiling is lined with dark wood.

We sing carols in German. Since my husband and boys don't speak German, I give them a quick lesson on how to pronounce the vowels and consonants on the way to the church.

Early in January we celebrate Christmas again!!

I wish you all a peaceful and happy Christmas wherever you are.

Day 263 - Youthraising

Today's photo captures one of the small team of happy fundraisers in our Youth Committee at church. This member got up at 3 am to start off the yeast-based dough so that it was ready for piroshki-making this morning. Along with a hearty soup nicknamed 'Bob' (I'm presuming it's derived from the Russian word for beans, bobi), and the aforementioned pirohki (meat, potato and apple - that's separate, not together), the offering also included various cakes and twisted bread loaves.

I know the photo is blurry, but I still wanted to include it.

Day 207 - Fundraising lunch

Today we had a fundraising lunch for a parishioner's granddaughter who was born with disabilities after her mother had to have chemotherapy during pregnancy. The lunch combined with donations raised $3,210 which was great.

Day 193 - Escape to the park

Having endured a lengthy church service (St Peter and Paul) and barbecue lunch in the hall, and despite the winter chill, some preferred the childish joys of the park.

Day 137 - Kitchen duty

My turn for kitchen duty at church today. I got up earlier than I would have wanted, but a few other people were up even earlier getting the dough ready so that it would rise before all the ladies got in and started to make the piroshki. If you haven't heard of piroshki before, they're made of yeasty dough with fillings. We had fried ones filled with meat and rice, mashed potato and onion, and fried onion and cabbage. There some baked versions of these. We also made sweet ones filled with apple puree and dusted with icing sugar, and these are pictured here.

What I enjoy about this experience (only once I'm there and have had my coffee, and not before that) is the social aspect. Our parish is currently enjoying an influx of Russian people who are new(ish) to the country. My own family emigrated from Russia in the 40s and 50s, so are old immigrants, so we're pretty much Australians who are lucky to remember the language. Today I was making piroshki and chatting to a woman who was Russian but had lived in Azerbaijan for a lot of her life. She was probably in her 70s, and was complaining about how difficult it was to learn English. I think it would be hard to adapt to major changes, including language, as you get older.

Day 100 - Clean-up day before Palm Sunday

Cleaning the candle stands involves hot water to dissolve the wax, and then Brasso and lots of elbow grease. We haven't moved into the 21st century here, but I have to admit that the candles add to the atmosphere. This is the Russian Orthodox Church in East Brunswick, Victoria, Australia. We celebrate Easter (Pascha) a week later than the rest of the world this year.

Day 19 - First indigenous Orthodox priest

Fr Seraphim's ordination to the priesthood 18 January 2009, the day before Theophany. This is an historic occasion - he is the first Indigenous person to become an Orthodox priest.

Day 6 - Christmas eve

It's Christmas eve for Russian Orthodox 6th January. We go to a vigil service in the evening which lasts about 3 hours. I'm singing in the choir so time goes a little quicker than if you stand in the body of the church. The icon of the Nativity is painted in the Byzantine style.