COMMINIQUE FROM THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE THIRD REGULAR ASSEMBLY OF THE METROPOLITANATE OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH- HELD AT THE NEW KALENIC ST SAVA MONASTERY BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 8 AND 9 2017

 

Lead by His Grace the Right Reverend Siluan, the Bishop of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand, gathered at the third regular Assembly of the Metropolitanate, the clergy, monastic clergy, representatives of church communities and missionary parishes, monasteries, Federation of the circles of Serbian sisters and the Orthodox Youth Association, in the holy monastery of St. Sava- New Kalenic in Hall, near Canberra, with thanks to God for this blessing, calling to memory the assurance of the apostle Paul that "those who are lead by the Spirit of God are the sons of God" (Rom. 8,14). This we believe and confess, so that finally with this message we greet the Serbian Patriarch His Holiness Irinej, Their Eminences and Graces members of the Holy Synod of Bishops and the entire fullness of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the fatherland and all countries of our planet.   

With due respect, we greet the Queen of Australia and New Zealand, Elizabeth II and the Heir to the Serbian throne Alexander II, the Prime Minister of Australia Mr Malcolm Turnbull and the Premier of NSW Mrs Gladys Berejiklian, as all those who are in government, whom the people of Australia and New Zealand graciously entrusted the care for the future of the people and country. We address them with a plea to have in mind to care for the people of God and for the country, which solicitude God has entrusted us with.    

We are joyous that we could, in the spirit of our faith in the Triune God, brotherly and in an Orthodox and Christian way, full of hope for a better future, with true faith that we are in communion with "the One who examines hearts" (Rom. 8,27), consider our current real situation in which our Metropolitanate is in, hear the reports and discuss various important topics on how to advance our ecclesial  and spiritual life. 

During the entire work of the Assembly a thought and wish permeated, in the spirit of St. Paul who advises: "Take heed to have peace with all and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12,14). Truly, to our flock in the land which is entrusted to us, we advise that it is most important that we take heed to have "peace and holiness" because only in this way is it possible to stay in communion with the "Spirit of adoption" (Rom. 8,15) which we have received through the Sacraments of the Church.

"Peace to you"! (Lk. 24, 36), was the greeting of the Resurrected Lord at his appearance before the apostles. With that peace we also greet you, dear brothers and sisters, the children of St. Sava, not with the peace preached by the world, but, with divine peace. That is the peace that is witness to the fact that we are truly "adopted of the Father through the Son, in the Holy Spirit of the Lord", who gives life. 

The purpose, therefore, of our life is also the holiness described by the apostle, which is why we are free to remember such an important message: "Perfect yourselves until you reach the height of the growth of Christ" (Eph. 4,13). That is the message of the Book of Life, and that is exactly the road to holiness. Let us care about this all day, through private prayer, or joint prayer in our parish churches.

It is the general conclusion that in today's society, which does not conform its paths to the freedom in Christ Jesus, but to the freedom according to man, it is very difficult to educate children. For this reason we ask our parents to take more heed to the domestic upbringing of their children in the spirit of Orthodoxy, because this is the only way that we can have hope in the brighter future for our decedents. We support all those in our society who are trying to fight for that which since the beginning of creation and time was clear to all, and that is, that God blessed marriage between man and woman, and that is the only marriage bond that God blesses. 

We greet our brothers and sisters who still have not accepted the pastoral call for reconciliation from His Grace Bishop Siluan, with a prayer to God that they accept the pastoral call, to together again find ourselves in unity and the embrace of our Serbian Orthodox Church, and thus gladden the fullness of the Serbian saints lead by Saint Sava. We are obliged to all think the same, and together confess the One Holy Catholic (Sabornu) and Apostolic Church. We therefore call to mutual forgiveness, all for the salvation of our souls. 

We greet our brothers and sisters in Kosovo and Metohija who defend their right to stay in their homes, on Serbian lands drenched in the blood of Kosovo and post-Kosovo martyrs, praying the Lord to support them, strengthen and fortify, so that they can endure in their gallant endeavours. 

We especially greet our St. Sava youth, who in circumstances of modern spirit and challenges of all kind, endeavour to remain on the path of St. Sava and all of our other ancestors! We wholeheartedly agree that our priority is the constant care of their upbringing and education. 

And finally, we are satisfied, that with our new spiritual leader His Grace Bishop Siluan we have held a successful Assembly that has given us guidance in our walk towards a better future in our Church and spiritual life in this land. We greet you all, dear brothers and sisters, with the greeting of Saint apostle Paul: "The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen"! (2 Cor. 13,13).