Join us for our Parish Feast Day.
Sunday October 4.
Welcome to our new Altar servers.
On August 9, 10th Sunday following Pentecost, when the Church commemorates the Apostle Mathias, we welcomed 3 new Altar servers.
God Bless, Sviatoslav, Vasyl and Marko who assisted for the first time. God Bless their parents for being an example of faith by raising them in Christ’s Church.
📷Natalka Oleksyn
SPRING YARMAROK
The Parish will be holding its Spring Yarmarok on
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8.
Please Save the Date.
Lots of Stores, Food, Music and fun for all.
During the fast period we unite our fasting with giving to those in need.
"But I, in the abundance of Your mercy will enter Your house, I will worship in Your Holy Temple in fear of You."
(11 images)
Working Bee
Наступної суботи, 27 червня, Парафіяльна рада проведе невелику робочу зустріч на території церкви. Ми зустрінемося з 10:00 до 12:00 щонайпізніше.
Будь ласка, повідомте Наталку Олексин, якщо ви можете прийти та допомогти з невеликими роботами на пару
годин.
Next Saturday, 27th June, the Parish Council will be having a small working bee on the church grounds. We will be meeting at 10am until 12pm at the latest.
Please let Natalka Oleksyn know if you are able to come and help with some small jobs for a couple of hours.
Welcome to Oleksandr Eremenko our newest Altar Server
Today Sunday 14 June 2026, on the Sunday of All Saints of Ukraine, we welcomed for the first time in the altar OLEKSANDR EREMENKO who served with us.
Oleksandr did a great job.
Thank you to server and reader James Brangwin for teaching him and Oleksandr’s parents Oleksandr and Sophia
Parish Membership
When we hear about the Church and the idea of membership, we sometimes wonder WHY? Aren’t I a member in good standing by baptism and participation in the life of the Church? and the answer is of course yes!
But Church membership as it has developed outside of Ukraine means so much more and takes on a multi-faceted meaning..
We hear from some; Why have membership? its not done in Ukraine.
Well Australia and Ukraine for starters are totally different places.
Ukraine with an Orthodox majority, In Australia we are a minority.
When our ancestors were forced to leave Ukraine and build their own places of worship, they found themselves in a foreign environment, the Orthodox people having need to organise themselves as a body, pooled together resources, financial and other gifts were gathered together to start communities, and solidify the Body of Christ. For us in Australia this was very important as government subsidies and help were minimal, the Anglicans had Royal Charter, other faith groups also had different systems that enabled more support. The Orthodox, were seen as foreign, and had to rely on one another to build and sustain their Church.
Nothing drives this point home more than a conversation I had many years ago. A newcomer commented on entering our Church how lucky we were that the Government helped pay for our Parish temple and upkeep… When I politely assured her that everything she saw, the temple the interior, was all the work of the people alone, she went pale very quickly… This was the reality, without our members, the core group of believers that were ready to sacrifice and roll up their sleeves and work, non of this would have been possible.
To become a member means you have a say and a vote during deliberations and meetings that determine the path of parish life, much like a census you are numbered as part of the body that see to the good order of the Church and best illustrates the Ukrainian Orthodox ideal of “Соборноправність” or “Conciliarity” the function that speaks to the laity and the clergy working together for the common good and building up of Christ’s Mystical Body.
Membership unlike how some term it, is not exclusivity or entrance into a private club, but taking upon ourselves the directive of Christ to "to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up"(Eph.4:12)
As we did then, so we must now in 2026, solidify and strengthen our relationship to our Mother Church and Parish. It is through becoming a member that we can share our unique gifts and talents with the Church and one another, and really be counted.
The world of the 1950’s was much different in some ways, more family orientated, a more Christian society that expressed its faith. Society itself was quieter and enabled all to listen to God more, and not technology and outside noises or forces. However in other ways for us Ukrainian Orthodox believers, there are similarities with the early pioneer days of Church and community life, Ukraine was under occupation, masses having to leave for foreign shores post WW2. We see some patterns with todays war, but then as now Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever” (Heb 13:8) The work of the Church never stops, that is the salvation of its people by growing in God’s image through its sacramental life.
In our day we also see some of the young and newly arrived reach out to the Orthodox Church for an authentic witness to this truth, we pray that they may find here the Church of the Apostles and real spiritual life. It is important that they also become members. We welcome you all.
This year the Parish will be celebrating 75th Anniversary of the Foundation & 65th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Parish. The celebration will be held on Sunday October 4. We have much to celebrate and also much to work on.
For those interested in becoming financial members of the parish please ask for a form from our Church office and for more information.
Fr Michael
Parish Priest
Mother's Day. Sunday May 10. 2026
Thank you Yevhen O, Volodya W, Yuriy S, and all who helped put on a beautiful Mothers Day coffee hour for all the mothers at church today!! It was so special being able to relax and enjoy lovely food and good company without worrying about all the work involved! May God bless you all!
Photos: Natalka Oleksyn
(11 images)
Поминальна неділя - Великодній обід
Memorial Sunday - Paschal lunch
Photos: Natalka Oleksyn
Today the Church remembered all our departed Fathers, Mothers, Brothers and Sisters, who have gone to their rest in the Lord.
The Resurrection of Christ adds a Joyful sadness to our remembrance of our loved ones as we “ Look to the Resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come”
We also gathered for our wonderful Paschal lunch. A big thank you to our Sistethood and all our wonderful faithful that brought food and deserts to share and celebrate the Paschal feast.
(24 images)
ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС!!
Улад пластунів юнаків взяли участь у молитві біля памʼятника Поляглим за волю України, на Православному цвинтарі у Руквуд, у памʼять пластунів які відійшли у вічність.
Вічная памʼять.
CHRIST IS RISEN!!
Yunatstvo PLAST NSW attended a memorial service at the monument to those who fell for the freedom of Ukraine, at the Orthodox Cemetery in Rookwood, in memory of the Plastuny who have passed away.
May their memory be eternal.
Thank you PLAST SYDNEY for offering prayers for your founders who now continue their visionary work. When we remember history, we become part of its living memory and create our own.
Photos: Natalka Oleksyn
(9 images)
ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС!
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Saint John Chrysostom in his Paschal sermon that we read ever year says it best CHRIST IS RISEN AND LIFE REIGNS! these words have weight right now, as we are entering the 5th year of Ukraines invasion, war in the Middle East and a seemingly endless reign of unrest, that comes from the darkness of mankinds recesses. It does not have to be this way.
Our Lord has given us a clear road through His Church. If we look to Christ, keep Him as our director in all things, we allow life to reign in the way it is intended to be lived, With Faith, Hope and Love. My prayers and blessings to everyone at the parish. Our Church Choir, Parish Council, Sisterhood and Brotherhood, Altar servers, Readers and our devout faithful. May Christ reign in your lives, your families, but most importantly in your hearts.
Paschal Greetings to you all.
Archpriest Michael Smolynec
PASCHA 2026
(Photo report)
"Christ is Risen! and life reigns." St John Chrysostom
Photos: Natalka Oleksyn.
(58 images)
Great and Holy Saturday
(Photo report)
On Great and Holy Saturday we served one of the most beautifully relective services in the Orthodox liturgical life. The Vesperal Liturgy commemorating the Harrowing of Hades. Rich, theological with the 15 Old Testament accounts that instruct, inspire and comfort us as we await the Saviours resurrection. This commemoration is also referred to as the First Resurrection.
(9 images)
Great and Holy Friday
(Photo report)
On Great and Holy Friday we commemorate the burial of Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Church is dark, the The world stops for the one who is the world.
(20 images)
ПАСХАЛЬНЕ АРХІПАСТИРСЬКЕ ПОСЛАННЯ Собору Єпископів
Української Православної Церкви Сполучених Штатів Америки та Діаспори
Click on Image to read Paschal messages in Ukrainian and English
PASCHAL ARCHPASTORAL LETTER of the Council of Bishops
of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America and the Diaspora
Great Thursday/Великий четвер
Parish of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin Strathfield, Sydney.
Photos: Natalka Oleksyn
(9 images)
Великий Середа - Соборування
Great Wednesday - Holy Unction
Photos: Natalka Oleksyn
George Georgiadis - Cantor
Thank you to all the readers.
(15 images)
Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Philippians 4:4
Photos Natalka Oleksyn
(12 images)
Elfriede Moroko - 100th year
Born 9-7-1926
Reposed 4-4-2026
With faith in the Resurrection we mourn the repose of Elfriede Moroko who reposed in the Lord today on Lazarus Saturday, having earlier received the Holy Mysteries of the church.
Elfriede was loving wife to Mykola (dec) she leaves her family, who were with her to the end.
She lived an amazing life, her strength and grace was a helper for her, as she shouldered her illness with determination and an abundance of fortitude.
It is fitting that she will be laid to rest during Bright Week following Pascha, a time of joy as we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.
Funeral to be served at St Aphanasius Ukrainian Orthodox Parish, Granville. Date and time to be announced.
Prayers and condolences to her family.
ВІЧНАЯ ПАМʼЯТЬ!
ПОМИНАЛЬНИЙ ОБІД
Сестрицтво запрошує всіх на наш поминальний обід в залі в неділю 19 квітня, тиждень після Пасxи. Обід коштує $30 для дорослих і $15 для дітей. Будь ласка, забронюйте місце, додавши своє ім’я до списку у нашій канцелярії.
MEMORIAL LUNCH
The Sisterhood invites everyone to our Memorial Lunch in the hall on Sunday 19th April, a week after Pascha. Lunch will cost $30 for adults and $15 for children. Please book your spot by adding your name to the list in our church office.
Parish Playgroup
Our Parish Playgroup run by Natalka Oleksyn and families met today on SUNDAY 29 March St Mary of Egypt after Divine Liturgy for a catch up before Pascha. It’s lovely to meet and give the young ones time to play and socialise after being present at the Divine Liturgy, where they commune and do exactly what the GROWN UPS do.
This is what makes the Orthodox Church special. They are full members, they are not the Church of the future,They are the Church of today!!! and a very valuable part of it.
Our Parish Playgroup is generally held once a month, usually on the last Sunday of each month during our coffee hour. We invite all families with young children to attend the Divine Liturgy, bring their children to receive Holy Communion and then to join us in the hall for a cup of coffee while the children play. Would love to see more young families join us.
Please note, the next play group will be held on the third Sunday in April, not the last one, during our parish’s Memorial Day lunch, on Sunday 19th April.
(20 images)
Our parish has always been blessed with a beautiful choir that gave and continues to give Glory to God.
Through every era of the churches life, we have seen many talented men and women give their time and gifts to the church.
We remembered our selfless Conductor’s
Ivan Liaskivskyj
Joseph Prendecki
Maria Dowhaliuk
Petro Misczuk
Mykola Yewsewskyj
We also remembered one of our youngest choir members and readers who has gone to his rest in the Lord, Vadym Domaschenko on the anniversary of his repose.
ВІЧНАЯ ПАМʼЯТЬ!
Pysanka Workshop for Ukraine
On Sunday 22 March a Charity Pysanka Workshop was held for Hospitallers Медичний Добровольчий Батальйон Госпітальєри • Hospitallers Paramedics!!
Many Ukrainian and non Ukrainians participated, female and male, young and a little older!!
A big thank you to those who donated a little bit extra today, to those who bought some pysanky and also to those who were not able to attend the workshop but still donated so generously!!
Together $1070 was raised. Added to the $1980 raised at Ukifest, we now have a total of $3050 to send to Hospitallers Paramedics.
In the informative introduction, Natalka explained the historical road of the Pysanka, from its pre- Christian era to the modern day. We learned of It’s adaptation of motifs and designs that have been taken on by the Church, ie the Cross and the Trinity, their typology and meaning, going back to the early Neolithic Trypillian culture, featuring geometric, organic, and spiral patterns that predate Christian symbols.
Along with the workshop organised and run by Natalka Oleksyn the participants enjoyed Borscht and sour dough bread prepared and served by Evhen Oleksyn.
The photos capture the joy of the afternoon.
(39 images)
Easter is fast approaching and to help you prepare, the Sisterhood of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin, Ukrainian Orthodox Church are now accepting orders for pasky, and pyrizhky with meat or cabbage. They will be ready for you to collect from our church hall straight after our Divine Liturgy on our Palm Sunday, 5th April between 11:30 and 11:45am.
Please place your orders at the church office this Sunday or text Natalka Oleksyn on 0402021301 for further information.
A small selection of pysanky will also be available for purchase on Palm Sunday for you to add to your Easter basket or gift to someone.
Please note: The Hudson Park carpark across the road from our church is now pay parking. The first hour is free but you still need to enter your details into the parking meter as soon as you park to avoid being fined.
Пасха швидко наближається, і щоб допомогти вам підготуватися, Сестрицство Покрови Пресвятої Богородиці Української Православної Церкви приймає замовлення на паски, та пиріжки з м’ясом або капустою. Ви зможете забрати їх у нашій церковній залі одразу після Божественної Літургії у Вербну неділю, 5 квітня, з 11:30 до 11:45.
Будь ласка, зробіть свої замовлення в церковній канцелярії цієї неділі або надішліть Наталці Олексин SMS-повідомлення на номер 0402021301 для отримання додаткової інформації.
Невеликий вибір писанок також буде доступний для придбання у Вербну неділю, щоб ви могли додати його до свого великоднього кошика або подарувати комусь.
Зверніть увагу: парковка Hudson Park через дорогу від нашої церкви тепер платна. Перша година безкоштовна, але вам все одно потрібно ввести свої дані в паркомат одразу після паркування, щоб уникнути штрафу.
Very Reverend Cyril Hovorun Visit. Sunday 8 March.
On the 2nd Sunday of the Great Fast, when the Church commemorates St Gregory Palamas, The Very Reverend Cyril Hovorun joined us.
Fr Cyril prayed with us and spoke of St Gregory’s use of mental prayer (or prayer of the heart), requiring solitude and quiet, known as Hesychasm, this Fr Cyril noted is an important aspect of our Lenten journey to seek stillness and the Lord.
Confession Schedule for March 2026.
Clean Monday
On Monday 23 February, the Orthodox Church began Great Lent.
We had a great team who came to church to set up the temple for Great Lent. Lots of ironing, lots of brainstorming and precision, were on display from our astute group of volunteers.
Gratitude to : Evhen, Natalka, Volodymyr, Tamara, Pavla, Luba, Myroslawa, Vita and Anton.
(4 images)
Pre Lenten Lunch
On Sunday 22 February 2026, the parish gathered for our Pre Lenten Chresefare Lunch.
The Church uses the term CHEESEFARE as it is the last day that the faithful can partake of cheese and milk products during the Great Fast. The lunch also coincides with Forgiveness Sunday where the Gospel of the Sunday entreats us to seek forgiveness of one another.
Our indefatigable Sistethood hosted a wonderful lunch with everyone well fed, and in joyful spirits, ready to begin the great journey of Lent together.
Birthday greetings were addressed to Fr Michael February 20, and Pavla Zelinska February 22.
Photos: Natalka Oleksyn and Natalia Bond.
(22 images)
CHEESEFARE LUNCH
Sunday 22 February 2026
As we approach the beginning of Great Lent the Sisterhood invites everyone to join us for a Cheesefare lunch on Sunday, 22nd February in our church hall.
Lunch is $15 for adults and $5 for children.
Cheesefare Sunday is the last day that dairy products can be eaten before Great Lent begins.
We ask you to reserve your spot and pay in advance. The registration sheet is already in the office. Payment can be made by cash or card when you register.
СИРОПУСНИЙ ОБІД
неділю, 22 лютого 2026
З наближенням початку Великого посту, Сестрицтво запрошує всіх на сиропусний обід у неділя, 22 лютого у церковній залі.
Обід $15 для дорослих і $5 для дітей.
Сиропусна неділя – це останній день коли можна їсти молочні продукти перед початком Великого посту.
Просимо забронювати місце і заплатити на перед,список вже у канцелярії. Оплату можна здійснити готівкою або карткою.
English Divine Liturgy
Our next All English Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on the Feast of the MEETING OF THE LORD.
Monday 2 FEBRUARY
Hours/ Confession 9am
Divine Liturgy and Blessing of Candles 9.30am
Nativity - New Year's Parish Lunch.
On Sunday 11 January 2026, our Sisterhood organised a New Years lunch for the parish. Lots of delicious food and fellowship was shared along with traditional carol singing to complete the Nativity cycle of services. Thank you to Natalka Oleksyn our MC, Evhen Oleksyn for traditional greetings, and all those who contributed to the event.
(16 images)
+Anna Ralec 95 years.
The funeral for Anna Ralec will be served in our Church on FRIDAY 16 JANUARY at 10am followed by burial.
Anna and her late husband Herasym, who fell asleep in the Lord a decade ago, are an important part of our parish history.
Herasym, was our hardworking former Starosta, who built our candle stands (підсвічники) where our faithful offer their prayers and light candles to this day.
Anna was a lady of grace, who will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
The parish extends their condolences to her children Alex and Victoria along with their families.
Вічная памʼять
Theophany of Our Lord 2026
Click on the image for more information
The Nativity of Our Lord 2025
The Nativity of our Lord has been celebrated at the parish. Our takeaway as Orthodox Christians is that we are to remember the great act of humility that God bestowed on us by becoming one of us.
Our duty is to be lights in the valleys of darkness that appear in the world. Jesus tells us, "You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven," Matthew 5:14-16.
We have a lot of work to do.
PLAST NSW blessed us all on the Nativity with the Bethlehem Light of Peace.
(17 images)
Parish Christmas Lunch.
Sunday January 11
Following the Divine Liturgy on January 11 the Parish will be celebrating its Christmas - New Years Lunch in the Church Hall.
Click on the Image for more information and details.
Funeral Notice
+ Vera Jarmolenko - 102 years.
With faith in the Resurrection, we mourn the falling asleep in the Lord of Vera who passed away today having earlier received the Holy Mysteries of the Church. God blessed Vera with a long and fruitful life with a loving family who were by her side to the very end.
The funeral for the newly departed Servant of God, Vera will be held on Friday 19 December at 1pm. The service will be at All Souls Chapel and the burial is scheduled for 2:30pm at Rookwood Cemetery.
Вічная памʼять!
Свято Покрови - Сідней 2025.
Our church Feast Day celebration in Sydney
Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us, especially Fr Yurij from Brisbane, Fr Yevhen and Panimatka Iryna from Adelaide, and all our parishioners and guests.
A huge thank you to Mriya (Dream) branch of the Ukrainian Women’s Association in NSW for catering, and to all the people who donated salads, cakes and drinks.
Thank you to those who helped set up the hall, and to those who brought flowers for the temple and the hall.
Thank you to Dnister Ukrainian credit cooperative for your very generous donation to our church.
Thank you to Nazar Drobushar and Fr Yevhen for entertaining us so beautifully.
Thank you to Ed Oleksyn for baking two sourdough loaves for our raffle and to Anna Bilanenko for her donation to the raffle. Thank you to those who bought raffle tickets.
All proceeds from the lunch and from our raffle have been given to Mriya to donate to Ukraine.
(71 images)