{{orthodoxyinaustralasiaorthodoxyinnewzealand}}

==First Wave of Immigrantsfrom the Middle East (to 1916)==

*1898: Greek speaking Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East [[deposition|deposed]] for prohibiting services in the common language.*1899: [[Patriarch ]] of Constantinople refuses to recognise newly elected Arabic speaking Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and agitates against all Arabic speakers. This fractures the Orthodox communites communities around the world. :: Local communities in Australia consider Patriarch of Jerusalem considered neutral in this dispute and asked ask him to send out priests [[priest]]s for Australia Australasia. Priests sent, one each to Sydney and New ZealandMelbourne.*1902: [[Church of Greece]] seizes responsibility for Greek-speaking parishes Orthodox [[parish]]es in Australasia from the [[Church of Jerusalem]].*1908: [[Church of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarchate]] arbitrates , prohibits any language other than church Greek in these churches, and grants assigns [[jurisdiction ]] of Greek Orthodox parishes in Australasia to the Church of Greece.*1910: [[Hieromonk|Hmk]] [[Nicholas (ManavitchManovitch)]] (said to be Russian under Antioch), the first Orthodox priest to reside in New Zealand, arrives.:: First Orthodox church in New Zealand, dedicated to [[Archangel Michael|St Michael]], purpose built in Dunedin.*1911 Jan 11: Free of debt, Saint St. Michael Dunedin is [[consecration of a church|consecrated ]] by Archimandrite Fr Nicholas (ManavitchManovitch)presumably under Patriarchal faculty.*1913: V Rev Fr [[Nicholas Shehadie ]] appointed Patriarchal [[Exarch]] for Australia and New Zealand by His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorious Haddad Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.:: Hmk Fr Archimandrite Nicholas (Manovitch) leaves New Zealand for Sydney, Australia. No priest left in New Zealand.*1916: Exarch Nicholas Shehadie visits New Zealand for 2-3 months. Conducts services throughout New Zealand. After his departure , again there is, again, no Orthodox priest in New Zealand. ==Immigrants from Russia and Turkey (1917-1947)==*1917: Bolshevik revolution in Russia sees large numbers of Russians and allied peoples displaced and fleeing genocidal massacres there and in satellite countries over the next 10 years. Many flee to western Europe, and then the Americas; others, via Asian Russia, flee to China, Japan, Southeast Asia and Australasia.

 ==Second Wave of Immigrants==*19171920s: Bolshevik revolution in Russia sees large numbers Millions of Russians and allied peoples people displaced and fleeing due to genocidal massacres there and in satelite countries over the next 10 years. Many flee to western Europe, and then North America, and South America. Others flee to Asian Russia and then to China, Japan, South East Asia, Philippines, and Australasia. *1920s: Genocidal massacres in modern Turkey following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire see millions of people displaced. Large numbers of Orthodox flee to the new world including North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand Americas and OceaniaAustralasia.

::Jul 8: [[Metropolitan ]] [[Christoforos (Knitis) of Australia and New Zealand|Christoforos (Knitis)]] of Australia and New Zealand (Greek) arrivesin Australia.

*1931 Sep 18: [[Timotheos (EvangelinidesEvangelinidis) of Rhodes|Timotheos (EvangelinidesEvangelinidis)]] elected Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand (Greek) by Ecumenical Patriarchate.*1932 Jul 26: Metropolitan Timotheos (EvangelinidesEvangelinidis) arrives in Australia.*1937: [[Archimandrite ]] [[Antonious (Mobayed)]] (Antiochian) arrives in New Zealand and stays for several months. Transfers responsibility for church to Asks local Anglican [[clergy as a temporary measure]], who agree, to care for local Orthodox during his absences. Fr Antonious last visits New Zealand in 1939.*1939 to 1945: Second World War seals all borders.*1947 Apr 22: Archimandrite [[Theophylactos (Papathanasopoulos) of Australia and New Zealand|Theophylactos (Papathanasopoulos)]] elected Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand (Greek) by Ecumenical Patriarchate. ==Immigrants from the Middle East and Greece (1948-1974)==*1948 to 1955: Following the Second World War large numbers of Orthodox are again displaced from their former homelands. Arabic speaking Orthodox move out of Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt to the new world, especially where their compatriots had already established settlements generations before. Greek speaking Orthodox move out of mainland Greece, and especially the Aegean Islands, and from Egypt, to previously populated new world countries. Many move to New Zealand.

 ==Third Wave of Immigrants==*1948 to 19551950s: Following the Second World War large numbers of Orthodox are again displaced from their former homelands. Arabic speaking Russian Orthodox move out of Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt to the new world, especially where their compatriots had already churches established settlements generations before. Greek speaking Orthodox move out of mainland Greecein Auckland, Wellington and especially Christchurch by Mitred Archpriest [[Alexey Godyaew]] who travels extensively pastoring the Aegean Islands, and from Egypt, to previously populated new world countries. Many move to New Zealandparishes until his retirement.

::Sep 1: Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Australia and New Zealand becomes the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand. Metropolitan Ezekiel elevated as to [[Archbishop]].*1963: Serbian Orthodox Church establishes first parish, Saint Sava in Wellington, with priest Dusan Kurizda.

*1970 Jan: Patriarchate of Constantinople creates [[Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand separates ]] separating it from the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]], becoming . [[Greek Orthodox Metropolis Dionysios (Psiahas) of New ZealandProussa|Dionysios (Psiahas)]]. Dionysios elected Metropolitan of New Zealand and Exarch of India, Korea and Japan.*1971: Fr An Anglican priest, Rev Jack Witbrock, former Anglican priest, converts to Orthodoxy.*1972 Sep: Bishop Gibran visits NZ, [[ordination|ordains Fr ]] [[Jack Witbrock]] to the [[deacon|diaconate ]] and priesthoodin Saint Nicholas Church, and appoints Melbourne. Appoints Fr Jack as [[Rector ]] of St Saint Michael Church, Dunedin. Fr Jack serves in visits Dunedin for 12 years, NZ a month later. *1973 Antiochian Mission at in Christchurch begins, also served regularly visited by Fr Jack. *1974 Antiochian Mission in Auckland begins, regularly visited by Fr Jackuntil 1978.*1974 Dec 30: First local [[Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand|Serbian Orthodox]] hierarch of Australia and New Zealand, Bishop Nikolai (Mrdja), [[enthronement|enthroned ]] in Australia. ==Fourth Wave of Immigrantsfrom Lebanon and Eastern Europe (1975-1999)==*1975 to -1985 : Lebanese Civil War sees displacement of large numbers of Arabic speaking Orthodox to the new world countries, especially where communities had been previously established. Significant numbers arrive in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin.*1976: Romanian Orthodox Church establishes a parish in Wellington, the Dormition of the Mother of God, with priest George Speranta.*1980: Mitred Archpriest Alexey Godyaew retires.*1980: Hieromonk [[Ambrose (Mooney)]] returns from [[monasticism|monastic]] formation in Serbia and is seconded by the Serbian Church to the Russian Church. He assumes the parish duties of Archpriest Alexey Godyaew in NZ's three Russian parishes. *1984: Fr Jack is transferred to Christchurch.*1986: Hieromonk Ambrose (Mooney) establishes parish of St Michael the Archangel in Palmerston North to serve Russians, Serbs and converts. *1987 Fr Ilyan : Allan Eades ordained deacon and then priest by Bishop Gibran (Antiochian) in Auckland, is appointed Rector of Aucklandwho changes his name to Ilyan, and moves from Christchurch to Aucklandthe Arabic equivalent. *1992 Oct: Fr [[Ilyan Eades]] moves from Auckland to Dunedin as is appointed Rector of St Michael Dunedin. ::Establishes and pastors Invercargill mission toothe Antiochian Church in Auckland, moving there from Te Awamutu in the Waikato Region.*19931991: Soviet Russia Union disintegrates. Russian borders opened , allowing emigration. Over the next ten years::Mar 19: Mitred Archpriest Alexey Godyaew reposes. Funeral conducted by Greek, large Romanian and Serbian clergy.*1991-2001: Large numbers of Russians and allied nationals citizens of formerly Communist countries emigrate to countries where communities had been established in prior generations. Significant numbers move to New Zealand, especially to Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, the majority being Russians, Ukrainians and Serbs sponsored by the Slavic Benevolent Society founded by Hieromonk [[Ambrose (Mooney)]]. The three Russian parishes each grow from a few dozen members to 1-2 thousand each, with 5000 in Auckland. Romanian -speaking comunity community in New Zealand greatly strengthened by new arrivals. *1992 Oct: Fr Ilyan Eades transferred to be the rector of St Michael Church, Dunedin. He also establishes and pastors Invercargill mission.

*1998 Nov: Hutt Valley Mission of Saint John (Antiochian) commences with first visit by Fr Jack Witbrock*1999 Jan 16: Repose of Bishop Gibran, Patriarchal Vicar of Australia Ramlawey.::Palm Sunday: Dr [[Ian Nield]] and New Zealand (Antiochian). his family received into Orthodoxy

 ==Local Born Clergy Flourish (2000-''present'')==*2000Jul: Metropolitan Archbishop [[Paul (Saliba) of Australia and New Zealand|Paul]] makes first archpastoral visit to New Zealand. Fr Jack Witbrock and Fr Ilyan Eades elevated to archpriest. Fr Ian Dr Nield ordained deaconinvited to join Archdiocesan board.::Sep: First Antiochian eastern-rite Divine Liturgy in Wellington is held at the Anglican Church of Saint Barnabas, then priestRoseneath, and organised by Metropolitan Archbishop Dr Nield.::Oct 22: Ihsan Bosauder of Auckland ordained as Deacon [[George Bosauder]] by Met Abp Paulat Saint Nicholas Church Bankstown, NSW, Australia. Returned to Auckland on 30 October::Nov 12: Dcn George commenced Sunday services at Howick, and appointed head of the newly-established Wellington missionAuckland.

*2003Jan: Metropolitan Dionysios First NZ Clergy Conference (Psiahas) of New Zealand elected Metropolitan of Proussa (GreekAntiochian)chaired by Abp Paul at Frederic Wallis House, Lower Hutt. On Saturday, Dr [[Joseph (Harkiolakis) of New Zealand|Joseph (Harkiolakis)Ian Nield]] elected Metropolitan of New Zealand, Exarch of Korea ordained deacon and Japan (Greek)Fr Dcn [[Michael Elder]] ordained priest.::Jan: On Sunday Fr Dcn Ian Nield ordained priest and Fr [[Victor Didenco]], previously [[canonical release|canonically released ]] from the [[Moldovan Orthodox Church of Moldova]], received into Antiochian Archdiocese and apppointed appointed head of mission in Christchurch.::February: Priest Arkady Trashkov appointed to Saint Nicholas Russian parish in Christchurch.

::July: [[Deanery of New Zealand (Antiochian)|New Zealand Deanery ]] of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand created. Archpriest Jack Witbrock appointed Dean.::Metropolitan Dionysios (Psiahas) of New Zealand elected Metropolitan of Proussa. [[Joseph (Harkiolakis) of New Zealand|Joseph (Harkiolakis)]] elected Metropolitan of New Zealand, Exarch of Korea and Japan (Greek).::Nov: Met Joseph asks Met Abp Paul to release Fr Ilyan to Greek Metropolis of New Zealand. Fr Ilyan says he is happy with Antioch; Met Abp Paul declines to release him.*2004 May: Fourth Clergy Conference of Australia and New Zealand (Antiochian) held in Wollongong , Australia.::(Greek) [[Orthodox Metropolis of Korea]] ([[Church of Constantinople|EP]]) created, taking with it the exarchate of Japan. [[Church of Japan]] supported by [[Church of Russia]] objects to creation of parallel jurisdiction within its territory. [[Sotirios (Trambas) of Korea|Sotirios (Trambas)]], former auxiliary [[bishop ]] to the Metropolitan of New Zealand, elected first metropolitan of Korea.*2005 Mar 25: Second NZ Clergy Conference (Antiochian). [[Max Athanasius Perkins]] ordained to the diaconate on the next day to serve the Antiochian Mission in Christchurch.::May: Fifth Clergy Conference of Australia and New Zealand (Antiochian) held in Wollongong , Australia.::June: Archpriest [[Vladimir Boikov]] appointed Rector of Auckland's Russian Orthodox parish and Dean of Russian parishes in New Zealand.::Aug: Metropolitan [[Joseph (Harkiolakis) of New Zealand|Joseph (Harkiolakis)]] resigns as Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of New Zealand and moves to Athens, remaining unattached.::Oct: Bishop [[Amphilochios (Tsoukos) of New Zealand|Amphilochios(Tsoukos)]] elected Metropolitan of New Zealand.::Nov: [[Monastery of St. Andrew the First-called (MiramirMiramar, New Zealand)|Monastery of St. Andrew]] founded.::Dec: Fr Archpriest Ilyan Eades invited again declines an offer to join the Greek Church in Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand. Offered , with full-time salary to be paid by Greek government. Declines::Dec 4: [[John Hubbard]] ordained to the diaconate to serve at St George Church (Antiochian) in Auckland. *2006 May: Sixth Clergy Conference of Australia and New Zealand (Antiochian) held in Wollongong , Australia. New Zealand deanery Deanery meeting in Wollongong presided over by Metropolitan Archbishop Met. Abp Paul has wide-ranging discussions for the future of the Orthodox Church in New Zealand. Further discussions held in plenary session at of Conference.*2008 Feb: Deacon [[Eugene Koulanov]] ordained to the Priesthood to serve as second priest in Christ the Clergy ConferenceSaviour Russian parish in Auckland.