The First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) led the celebrations dedicated to the patronal feast of the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese. The feast was held "under the holy shelter of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God," according to the ROCOR news site.

On July 12, the day commemorating the Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, Metropolitan Nicholas led the Divine Liturgy at the cathedral, preceded by an all-night vigil with a litiya, the blessing of bread, and magnification of the Mother of God and the Holy Apostles. The service was attended by Archbishop Siluan of Sydney and Australia-New Zealand, Bishop George, and the rectors of Sydney churches.

Present at the Liturgy were Abbess Maria (Miross), Russian Consul General in Sydney I.N. Arzhaev with his wife, and numerous faithful. After the service, Metropolitan Nicholas delivered a sermon, followed by a procession around the church.

At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Nicholas handed Bishop George a decree elevating him to the rank of Archbishop. The presentation was accompanied by the proclamation of "Axios" and congratulations from the bishop's choir. Additionally, Metropolitan Nicholas presented Protopriest George Lapardin with a jubilee cross.

After the service, a festive meal was organized in the parish hall for 400 people. Metropolitan Nicholas, Archbishop George, and other clergy delivered greetings. In the evening, Metropolitan Nicholas met with the local clergy and their wives.

The history of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral began in 1950. A clergy congress was held in Sydney, where a temporary diocesan administration was established. The first Russian bishop of the new diocese was Bishop Athanasius, who arrived in Australia on July 12 of the same year, on the feast day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. In 1951, the foundation stone was laid for the church in honor of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Strathfield, a suburb of Sydney. While the church was under construction, services for the Russian parish in Sydney were held in a temporary church—a converted sports hall belonging to the YMCA, a Christian youth organization.

In May 1953, a cross was raised and installed on the dome of the bell tower. On December 27, 1953, the church was consecrated by Archbishop Theodore (Rafalsky) and became the cathedral of the diocese. Later, parish hall and church school buildings were constructed.

Photo: synod.com