St. Lazarus Serbian Orthodox Church

We are a Parish of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

 

With the other 14 Canonical Autocephalous and/or Autonomous local Churches in the world, the Serbian Orthodox Church comprises the Orthodox Church. All these local Churches share the same doctrine, traditions, the Church’s beliefs, and discipline - in unity, based on the Bible, Apostolic teachings, decisions of the Ecumenical Councils, and Holy Fathers of the Church, since some 2000 years ago.

 

The Orthodox Church is a continuation of the original Church established by Lord Jesus Christ and spread throughout the world by the holy Apostles and their successors.

 

The trickle of Orthodox Serbs who migrated to Australia as far back as the late 19th century turned into a torrent as refugees and displaced persons made the long journey down under at the end of the Second World War. These immigrants arrived in Australia bringing with them the values of their strong family bonds and the teachings of their Orthodox Church. They were pioneers of their day. Upon arrival, their first communal task was to organise Church life.

 

There have been three large waves of Serbian migrants that splashed the shores of Australia. The displaced persons constituted the first wave after World War II. The so-called economic migrants constituted the second wave in the 1970s, and the third wave came during and after the break-up of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, when a significant number of Serbian refugees from Croatia and Bosnia were granted humanitarian visas for Australia.

 

Through the prayers and by the Grace of God, over the period of more than seven decades, churches were established in all major cities and towns, and even in remote communities in the outback of Australia.

 

Our own parish, dedicated to St. Lazarus the Great Martyr of Kosovo, was founded in 1955.

 

Short History of St Lazarus Church

 

St Lazarus - Alexandria Parish was founded in 1955 and dedicated to The Holy Great Martyr Saint Lazarus. Father Ilija Bulovan secured the use of St. Mark's Anglican Church in Alexandria for services, and then in 1961, the property was purchased from the Anglican Church.

 

Since then, the church has undergone several renovations, most notably in the 1970's when its Altar was relocated to face east, and then again in 1993 - 2001, when extensive rebuilding was undertaken. In those years, the church has been rebuilt from the foundation, a rich tapestry has been painted, and the Altar beautified.

 

In 1969, Father Ilija Bulovan formally retired but continued to assist whenever and wherever possible. He was succeeded by Father Svetozar Sekulic. For three decades, these two servants of the Lord dedicated their lives to establishing the foundations and life of our parish and indeed the Church in Australia.

 

Father Milan Zbiljic arrived from Kragujevac (Serbia) in 1981 and remained parish priest until 1989. His undivided dedication to this Parish during a period of spiritual and cultural re-awakening, particularly amongst newly arrived Serbs, attracted many people to church.

 

Regular services throughout the week and the flourishing of the Serbian School and Scripture characterised this period, and language and folk dance were taught to the younger generation.

 

Father Rade Radan moved from St. Sava's Church in Adelaide in 1991 to become parish priest at St. Lazarus.

 

Born in Australia but educated both in Australia and in Serbia (Belgrade), Father Rade brought the first concert of classical music in a church, the first recital with actors, poets, and writers from Serbia. The choir was established, primarily performing works by two great composers, Mokranjac and Rachmaninoff. He also organised talks and discussions on spiritual matters for the youth. Fundraising and the collection of humanitarian aid for Serbia have been a major task for our parish over the last decade of the last century.

 

Father Miodrag Peric was appointed as Parish Priest of the St. Lazarus Church at the start of 2002. Before he arrived at our Parish, he served in Rooty Hill (St. Stephan Parish) for more than a decade. Father Miodrag was a friend of our Parish for all that time, taking part in our Liturgical services and celebrations whenever he could.

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