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Antiochian  Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Australia,
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...And the disciples were called Christians first  in Antioch... (Acts 11:26)



Valedictory

  His Eminence has kindly allowed me to retire as from my 75th birthday, so this is my last message as retiring Dean. He has persuaded me to retain the title of Dean "Emeritus"  which is, I think, generally understood as meaning "honorary", although I am tempted to construe it as "undeserving". A number of things have induced me to ask to retire,  mostly being tasks which were wished on me for which I had no aptitude and which caused me undue stress. I am grateful for the loyalty of those who have urged me to remain, but I have to recognize  that there are probably only a few years left (perhaps ten, my specialist said a year or two ago), and it would be nice for some of them to be spent free of administration.

 One thing for which I have felt responsible has been the provision of services in Dunedin since Fr Ilyan's death last year. Now that the centenary has been held we have an offer which, if His Eminence approves, should provide a solution in the medium to long term. I hope an announcement will be made before long. I have only to express my gratitude to those who have filled in over the last year, especially Fr Victor who has very willingly gone down and who has inspired support among the Russian immigrants who have arrived over the last few years.

 The centenary was all that we had hoped and the attendance from the whole country was very gratifying. As requested, the other  clergy took charge and allowed me to rest sitting in a chair in the midst of the Church. A baptism was a sign for the future and especially for the continuation of the work that Fr Ilyan had opened up in Southland.

 I have indicated to the Ashley Church Committee (the residents' committee which administers the Church) that I hope to be able to do a Sunday Mass here for some time yet. I think the Committee will be willing to continue the arrangement for our Church to use the church, and I hope that our people will show sufficient interest to make that plausible.  My choice of Ashley was motivated by its suitability for the Western Rite, and there is enough suitable material here for that, but I think the Committee is equally happy for the Byzantine Rite to be used as it was for a good deal of the public services.

 His Eminence has invited suggestions as to the new Dean. Some time ago I wrote to him that although I did not have a suggestion as to the name, I did have some thoughts as to the relationships between the Dean, the Archbishop, and the parishes of NZ. By retiring I express my acceptance of the decisions he and they will make in the future while I devote myself, I hope, to prayer and to the advice given by Voltaire of "cultivating  one's garden". My editing of the musical version of the Western services is not far from being finished and I hope to manage to finish at least the Season, so that sooner of later it will be possible for a high standard to be attempted in some places.

 When I presented myself to the Orthodox Church in 1971, it was obvious that any work for the Church would have to be done on what is sometimes called "the smell of an oily rag". This became the accepted way of doing things here and a certain amount was achieved. To a considerable extent that limitation continued into this century and  nevertheless progress continued. Now the work which in the 70s and 80s involved me and my travels is now in the hands of others, and a good basis exists for continued growth. All that will be necessary is openness to co-operation with Almighty God and His will, and with one another.

 Thanks be to God, and to His Hierarchs, and to His priests and people, for allowing me to have a home in His own Church for the second half of my life, when others were constrained to remain in places where their conscience and spirituality lacked fulfilment in various ways.  May this Church continue to be increasingly open to those who sincerely believe her Truth and love her heavenly atmosphere.


 Fr Jack


  The Patriarchate of Antioch was one of the five great Patriarchates of the early Church. Today the Patriarchate has parishes throughout the world and is one of the leading Patriarchates of what is now known as the Orthodox Church. The Patriarch of Antioch has an unbroken apostolic succession from Saint Peter.
 
 The Orthodox Church is the New Testament Church, still living amongst us. It is ancient but contemporary, permanent yet eternally new. Within the Orthodox Church, the Church of Antioch is where you have the opportunity to worship with those people who are the inheritors of the name "Christians".
 

    The Church of Antioch has had a presence in New Zealand for over a hundred years. It is the only Orthodox jurisdiction in New Zealand which holds its services primarily in English - though Arabic, Old Slavonic, Romanian and Greek are also used as required by the congregations.

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