His Grace Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Dormition of the Mother of God Parish in Christchurch, New Zealand. During the service, he also blessed the cross to be installed on the church tower.
His Grace congratulated the city’s Romanian community, which attended the Divine Liturgy in large numbers, on completing the construction of the church’s new tower.
“Now, as they approach the holy church, may people who are burdened by hardships or tested by temptations lift their eyes towards the Holy Cross. Just as the people of Israel were healed by looking upon the bronze serpent, so may we have faith and hope that God will help us in our own trials,” the hierarch said.
Bishop Mihail presented the “Australian Cross” to several faithful who had supported the work carried out at the parish.
Parish priest Fr Dumitru Dan also received a “Distinction of Merit” on behalf of the Orthodox community he serves, in recognition of the parish’s efforts.
Divine Liturgy
The solemn blessing was preceded by the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Mihail together with Fr Dumitru Dan.
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14–15).
The Bishop of Australia and New Zealand explained the connection between Christ’s words to Nicodemus and the event in the wilderness when, after the people of Israel were bitten by serpents, God provided the bronze serpent through Moses as a sign of deliverance.
His Grace also recalled St Helena’s discovery of the Precious Cross in Jerusalem.
Photo: Diocese of Australia and New Zealand
