ouR cHuRch

We are a church of committed Orthodox Christians worshipping in Melbourne, Australia, reaching out to everyone who seeks to enter the Ark of Salvation. Established in 2003 as a lay initiative, Holy Cross Church is a fraternity of dedicated Orthodox lay people, monastics, and clergy, from many nations and backgrounds, and is open to everyone – we are not ethno-specific. While our family origins are from many different countries, English is our common language.

We worship in a manner consistent with Orthodox Holy Tradition – we change nothing. We believe, as the Church has always taught and practised, that the correct conduct of true worship must be understood, known, practised and passed on to the next generation of the Faithful, just as the Saints, the Fathers and Mothers of the Church have revealed it to us in their way of life, and taught us in their unified writings.

oRiginal teXts

Our liturgical texts are translated from the original Greek texts of the Apostoliki Diaconia of the Church of Greece, printed in Athens 1964, and cross-referenced with the text of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, printed in Jerusalem 1892.

“All liturgical translations must be accurate translation of the original ancient Church Greek Texts, translated into a poetic, precise, beautiful and easily understood language… for us in Australia, and indeed around the world, the common language is English. A sense of rhythm and sound of language must accommodate for the hymnody to be chanted and/or sung.”
[Archimandrite Lazarus (Moore) of blessed memory]

“It is through the liturgical texts, that the ordinary worshipper comes into contact with the theological understanding of Holy Tradition, as it is expressed both in Scripture, and in the Church Fathers.”
[Archimandrite Efrem, of blessed memory, UK]

oRiginal teXts

Our liturgical texts are translated from the original Greek texts of the Apostoliki Diaconia of the Church of Greece, printed in Athens 1964, and cross-referenced with the text of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, printed in Jerusalem 1892.

“All liturgical translations must be accurate translation of the original ancient Church Greek Texts, translated into a poetic, precise, beautiful and easily understood language… for us in Australia, and indeed around the world, the common language is English. A sense of rhythm and sound of language must accommodate for the hymnody to be chanted and/or sung.”
[Archimandrite Lazarus (Moore) of blessed memory]

“It is through the liturgical texts, that the ordinary worshipper comes into contact with the theological understanding of Holy Tradition, as it is expressed both in Scripture, and in the Church Fathers.”
[Archimandrite Efrem, of blessed memory, UK]

fr lazaruS

1902 – 1992 Memory eteRnal

We at Holy Cross have followed (to our best efforts) the directives of Fr Lazarus and his vision in translating holy Orthodoxy hymnody, since 1984. Memory eternal our most beloved monastic.

“All liturgical translations must be accurate translation of the original ancient Church Greek Texts, translated into a poetic, precise, beautiful and easily understood language, for us in Australia, and indeed around the world, it is English. A sense of rhythm and sound of language must accommodate for the hymnody to be chanted and/or sung.”

Learn More

fr lazaruS

1902 – 1992 Memory eteRnal

We at Holy Cross have followed (to our best efforts) the directives of Fr Lazarus and his vision in translating holy Orthodoxy hymnody, since 1984. Memory eternal our most beloved monastic.

“All liturgical translations must be accurate translation of the original ancient Church Greek Texts, translated into a poetic, precise, beautiful and easily understood language, for us in Australia, and indeed around the world, it is English. A sense of rhythm and sound of language must accommodate for the hymnody to be chanted and/or sung.”

Learn More

oUr inVitAtion

Come and join us in our communal worship which is entirely in English and somewhat monastic in style, in that we function as a participating community rather than as a parish. After our Sunday services, we gather around a table for Trapeza, and share light food and drinks.

That is an extended opportunity to ask questions and get answers regarding all aspects of the Orthodox Faith – salvation, hymnody, scripture, and Church doctrine.

It is a time to learn the mind of the Church and discuss how we are to live it and put our Holy Tradition into practice as we serve one another.

Monthly Services

oUr inVitAtion

Come and join us in our communal worship which is entirely in English and somewhat monastic in style, in that we function as a participating community rather than as a parish. After our Sunday services, we gather around a table for Trapeza, and share light food and drinks.

That is an extended opportunity to ask questions and get answers regarding all aspects of the Orthodox Faith – salvation, hymnody, scripture, and Church doctrine.

It is a time to learn the mind of the Church and discuss how we are to live it and put our Holy Tradition into practice as we serve one another.

paRtaking of tHe chuRch Mysteries

Holy Communion is not given automatically to everyone who attends. If you unsure of your standing, we recommend and prefer that you make an appointment at an alternative time to discuss your situation, so as not to disrupt the continuity of the service.