Doxology to Mark the Commencement of the New Academic Year

Distinguished hierarchs present included His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Sebasteia, His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, and His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis.

The Dean’s address at the conclusion of the service emphasised the Christocentric nature of the theological endeavour. In other words, His Eminence stated that despite the various charisms of our students over the years, their common denominator was their yearning to encounter the Lord Jesus Christ in Orthodoxy.

Touching upon the theme of students discerning their calling within the Orthodox Church, His Eminence again emphasised that Christ is at the very heart of their journey:

And right from the outset, I would like to share with you a personal conviction of mine: and that is, there is no greater joy—indeed, there is nothing more awe-inspiring and more blessed in life—than seeking an encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ; entrusting our life to Him; and then, actively striving to follow Him in our life, and make Him present to those around us. And we do this, quite simply, by opening our heart to His love; and then, being filled with—and indeed, transformed by—the “God of love” (cf. 2Cor 13:11), dedicating our entire life to sharing this gift of eternal Love “deeply from the heart” (1Pt1:22) with those around us.

Seventeen new commencing students from various major cities across Australia were able to attend the Doxology as the beginning of a 2-day Orientation Program. They were personally greeted by His Eminence and bestowed with a signed copy of the Book of Prayers, as a gift and gesture of welcome.

A luncheon, generously prepared by the ladies auxiliary of the Parish of St Nicholas, followed the event, along with the customary group photograph.

For the current academic year, there are 85 students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programs studying on campus and via distance education.