Exploring Orthodoxy 2018
Exploring Orthodoxy 2018
A day to explore Orthodox Christian spirituality
Sunday 26th August 2018, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
Venue
Religious Centre
38 Exhibition Walk
Monash University
Wellington Road
Clayton, Victoria
Presented by
The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church
‘Exploring Orthodoxy’ is an open day and conference wrapped into one.
The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church is hosting this event, which is open to the public, parishioners and students. A range of presenters will speak on various aspects of Orthodox spirituality and sacramental life. Children will be catered for with a program of craft, games and story time. A light lunch and refreshments will be served.
Whatever your background and experience (or inexperience) of Orthodoxy, it is our prayer that this day to explore Orthodox Christian spirituality within the environment of our English-speaking parish in Melbourne will:
- Open your mind to the ancient treasures which are to the discovered in the Orthodox Church
- Provide an opportunity for you to experience the Divine Liturgy (if you have not already) and learn more about it, in a welcoming atmosphere
- Give you a clear understanding of what the Orthodox Church believes and does
- Explain Orthodox spirituality, in particular, prayer and the holy mysteries (sacraments)
- Inspire you to become part of or continue supporting the vision for sharing Orthodoxy in English
- Encourage you to continue your exploration of the Orthodox Christian faith
In addition to the church services and presentations, there will be opportunities to meet other explorers, eat together, view icon preparation and purchase books, icons and gifts.
A children’s program is also available for primary-aged students.
Cost: Free
Registration Essential
Program
Saturday 25 August 2018
4:30–5:00 pm Check-in desk open 5:00–6:00 pm Vespers (in English) Small Chapel
Sunday 26 August 2018
8:45 am
Check-in desk open
9:00–10:00 am Matins (in English) 9:30–9:50 am What is the Divine Liturgy?
Dr. Daniel McInnes
Venue: Small Chapel 10:00–11:45 am Divine Liturgy (in English)
Sermon: Rev. Fr. Geoff Harvey 11:45–12:30 pm Light lunch & Fellowship / Check-in desk open 12:30–1:00pm Orthodoxy 101: An Introduction
Sub-Dcn. Timothy Grace 1:00–1:30 pm Orthodox Spirituality - Prayer
Dcn. Fr. Nicholas Fraser 1:30–1:45 pm Break 1:45–2:15 pm Orthodox Spirituality - The Holy Mysteries
(Sacraments)
Rev. Fr. Tony Bartel 2:15–2:45 pm Keynote Address: A Vision for Orthodoxy in English
Rev. Fr. Geoff Harvey 2:45 pm Refreshments and close
Fr. Geoff speaks with Ancient Faith Radio
Fr. Geoff is interviewed by Bobby Maddex of Ancient Faith Radio regarding the history of The Good Shepherd Orthodox Parish and the up-coming Exploring Orthodoxy weekend.
Presenters
Rev. Fr. Geoff Harvey
Parish Priest, The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church
Fr. Geoff has been the Parish Priest of The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church since its inception in 2004. Following a career in the British Army, being an Anglican chaplain to the Australian Army and Anglican parish priest in Melbourne, he was ordained as an Antiochian Orthodox priest 18 years ago. Together with his wife, Janet, Fr. Geoff specialises in championing Orthodoxy in English, showing people how to give thanks to God for everything and acquire the Holy Spirit.
Dr. Daniel McInnes
Chairman, Parish Council, The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church
Daniel is the Chairman of the Parish Council at The Good Shepherd and an Assistant Lecturer in the School of Mathematical Sciences of Monash University, where he undertook his doctorate. He serves reading the epistle each Sunday and singing in the choir. Daniel comes from a Pentecostal background and is currently undertaking Orthodox theological studies. Daniel’s career includes service in the Australian Army, teaching English in Japan, and working in vineyards in the Yarra Valley.
Sub-Dcn. Timothy Grace
Sub-Deacon, The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church
Sub-Dcn. Timothy has served at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church at Belgrave Heights in recent years and more recently at The Good Shepherd. An experienced secondary school teacher of English and Religious Studies, Tim has completed additional post-graduate qualifications in Religious Education and Literature and has commenced Orthodox theological studies. He was raised by Pentecostal missionary parents in South America. Earlier this year Tim convened the ‘Timeless Wisdom’ Lenten retreat.
Dcn. Fr. Nicholas Fraser
Deacon, The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church
Dcn. Nicholas was received into the Orthodox Church 30 years ago. Ordained a Reader and in 2013 a Deacon, he assists Fr. Geoff at all of the liturgical services at The Good Shepherd. Employed as a teacher of vision-impaired primary and secondary students in Melbourne, and a keen student of theology, he liaises with the Sunday School Director to ensure quality resources are used. Dcn. Nicholas’ wisdom is appreciated by those who hear his sermons, and those in attendance at the weekly Orthodox Christian Fellowship.
Rev. Fr. Tony Bartel
Assistant Priest, Cathedral of St. George, Thornbury
Fr. Tony was raised as a Lutheran and served as a pastor in the Lutheran Church and a priest in the Anglican Church before being chrismated into the Orthodox Church in 2007. He has a Master of Theology majoring in the Scriptures from Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary (now Luther Seminary) in St Paul, Minnesota and a Master of Arts (Liturgy) from the Australian Catholic University. He was ordained in the Orthodox Church as a deacon in 2015 and as a priest in 2016.
About us
The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church, located in Clayton, Melbourne, is a living witness to the power of the Gospel and the fullness of the Christian Faith in modern, secular Australia.
We are a vibrant Australian Christian community under the direction of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand & the Philippines, which belongs to the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.
The Church of Antioch is the continuation of the Christian community founded in Antioch by the Apostles Peter (who served as its first bishop) and Paul. The Patriarchate of Antioch is the oldest of the ancient Patriarchates constituting the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ.
All services are in the English language and the Divine Liturgy is held in the Main Chapel of the Religious Centre at Monash University, Clayton Campus, conveniently located in the centre of Melbourne’s residential population.
Parking in the University car parks is free on weekends—but please take note of all signs regarding Loading Zones, No Standing and Disabled Parking—these restrictions apply and are enforced on weekends. Permit zones do not apply at the weekends.
