Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Hobart's English Speaking Orthodox Parish - A church of the Russian Church Abroad
Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Hobart's English Speaking Orthodox Parish - A church of the Russian Church Abroad
Who We Are
Our Rector
Our Community Stallwarts
Our Altar Servers
Fr John Simons and wife Katherine
Rector and Chanter
Fr John was ordained in 2023. He and his wife Kathryn converted to Orthodoxy in England 25 years ago. He has been a member of Greek, Antiochian and Russian parishes in England and Australia. He moved to Tasmania 7 years ago. He has a background in University management. His Wife Kathryn leads the chanting for services.
Our Altar Servers
Our Community Stallwarts
Our Altar Servers
Anatoli Stirkul
Head Altar Server Anatoli Stirkul (middle)
Originally from Melbourne, Anatoli has been serving the Lord in the Altar since 1976! He moved here with his wife 20 years ago.
Our Community Stallwarts
Our Community Stallwarts
Our Community Stallwarts
Mara and Milutin Ivkovic
They keep the church running.
Mara and Milutin came to Tasmania as refugees from Serbia 30 years ago. They do so many things around the church, from maintaining oil lamps and fixing broken things and organising parish luncheons to reading the prescribed bible verses in Serbian and also being Godparents to many of the parish’s Serbian children.
About Orthodoxy
The Orthodox Faith
Feasts of the Church Year
What to Expect at Church
The Orthodox Church is a "hospital for the soul". We come to confess our sins and our troubles and place them in the hands of Our Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and healing. It is a community of repentant sinners who gather together to meet Christ in the Eucharist, a gathering or "ekklesia". We are in community with the saints, living
The Orthodox Church is a "hospital for the soul". We come to confess our sins and our troubles and place them in the hands of Our Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and healing. It is a community of repentant sinners who gather together to meet Christ in the Eucharist, a gathering or "ekklesia". We are in community with the saints, living and passed over - the church militant and church triumphant, forming together the one body of Christ, who is its Head.
See our page "Further Information about Orthodox" to find several links to information about the Orthodox Faith.
What to Expect at Church
Feasts of the Church Year
What to Expect at Church
12 Things I Wish I’d Known:
by Fredrica Mathewes-Green
" Orthodox worship is different! Some of these differences are apparent, if perplexing, from the first moment you walk in a church. Others become noticeable only over time. Here is some information that may help you feel more at home in Orthodox worship—twelve things I wish I’d known
12 Things I Wish I’d Known:
by Fredrica Mathewes-Green
" Orthodox worship is different! Some of these differences are apparent, if perplexing, from the first moment you walk in a church. Others become noticeable only over time. Here is some information that may help you feel more at home in Orthodox worship—twelve things I wish I’d known before my first visit to an Orthodox church. "
Click on the following link to read the article
https://www.12holyapostles.org/uploads/6/4/6/7/6467719/12_things.pdf
Feasts of the Church Year
Feasts of the Church Year
Feasts of the Church Year
Image taken from https://www.orthodoxinsight.com/icons/feasticons.html
"The Orthodox Church is steeped in rich traditions that guide its faithful through the rhythms of life, death, and resurrection. Central to this is the liturgical year, a cycle of feasts, fasts, and holy days that shape the spiritual life of Orthodox Christians worldwid
Image taken from https://www.orthodoxinsight.com/icons/feasticons.html
"The Orthodox Church is steeped in rich traditions that guide its faithful through the rhythms of life, death, and resurrection. Central to this is the liturgical year, a cycle of feasts, fasts, and holy days that shape the spiritual life of Orthodox Christians worldwide. Through this sacred calendar, believers are invited to journey alongside Christ, experiencing His birth, ministry, death, and resurrection in a profound and cyclical way."
This information is from https://australianblog.com.au/the-orthodox-liturgical-year-feasts-fasts-and-holy-days/
Click on the link to read more about feasts of the Orthodox Church.
The following link for more information about the 12 great feasts of the Church Year
How you can Help
As a small parish there are many things that need doing. If you can help with any of the following please send us a message. God Bless.
- singing
- gardening
- cleaning and polishing
- flower arranging and changing vestments
- painting
- helping with morning tea
- running the kiosk/bookstore
- monetary donations