The {{orthodoxyinaustralia}}'''St George Free Serbian Orthodox Church ''', in Forrest, Canberra, Australia, is a [[parish]] in the [[Holy Synod in Resistance]]'''s [[Diocese]] of Sydney and New South Wales, and is currently served by Fr Dragan Saracevic. [[Image:STGEORGECHURCH.JPG|left|thumb|300px|St George Free Serbian Orthodox Church, Forrest, Canberra, Australia]] ==Founding and Hiatus (1955-1992)==St George Free Serbian Orthodox Church was formed in 1955, ended in served by Fr Dusan Popovic. In 1963, and resurrected in 1992. From 1963-1992the church experienced some unspecified difficulties, during which time a group of former Yugolav Yugoslav Royal Military officers registered the 'Free Serbian Orthodox Church St George , Inc' organisation with the ACT government, an organisational structure that continued until 1992. The parishioners acquired land in the suburb of Forrest, built a [[church ]] building, a hall which they call to this day 'Serbian Centre Draza Mihailovic', and a monument to Yugoslav ''Cetnik'' (Royal Yugoslavian Armed Forces) General Dragoljub 'Draza' Mihailovic, the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
The First President of the Church-School Community (in 1955) was Vojislav Miletic, who, together with his wife Jelena, became a major benefactor to [[Monastery of St. Sava (Elaine, Victoria)|St Sava Monastery]] in Elaine, Victoria.
The interior of the church was painted by Czech artist Karl Matzek in the 1970s and 1980s, primarily in the Western mural style.
==Serbian Patriarchate (1992-2008)==Since 1992, when the schismatic 'Free Church' came into the Serbian Patriarchal foldChurch of Serbia, it has been visited by several canonical Orthodox [[bishop]]s, including the Serbian [[Patriarch]] [[Pavle (Stojcevic) of Serbia|Pavle]] in November 2004. During the early 1990’s, the Church was fortunate to be recognised amongst the Australian Capital Territory's Heritage Listed sites and remains a civic icon of Canberra to this day. Fr Jakov Jovic served the church from 1992, and was succeeded by Fr Stanisa Ostojic in 2004. In August 2006, Bishop Milutin removed the [[antimension]] from the [[altar]] of St George's. At an unknown date, the antimension was replaced. Fr Nikola Bilic succeeded Fr Stanisa as the [[parish]] [[priest]] during this year. In 2007, the church was blessed with the restoration of the frescoes that line the ceiling and walls. These frescos have drawn many tourists to Canberra to the church, sharing in the beauty of Serbian Orthodoxy depicted in these frescoes whilst learning about several significant events that shaped our Serbian Orthodoxy. Fr Nikola Bilic concluded his service during this year, without immediate successor.
A sad chapter ==Holy Synod in the history of this church took place in August 2006Resistance (2008-present)==In March 2008, when Bishop Milutin took Irinej removed the unprecedented step of removing antimension from the antimins from altar for the church and thereby making it impossible second time in two years, authorising for any liturgical services chains to take place in this historic churchbar the main gates. The issue It is reported (by whom?) that sparked this action is reported to be due to the church connection to the Serbian anti communist freedom fighter "Draza Mihailovic". In particular the plaque that appears at the entrance to the church which carries a dedication to Draza. Bishop Milutin leaves dispute, variously between the Diocese in September 2006, having presided for 3 years property trustees and leaves behind a legacy that is filled /or with controversy and mistrust throughout the landmajority of regular parishioners.
==Clergy==* Fr Dusan Popovic Following this dispute, the parish broke away from the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand (19??-1963)* Fr Jakov Jovic 'prophet' (1992-2004)* Fr Stanisa Ostojic (2004-2006)* Parish now has no Priest (as at 17 July 2006New Gracanica Metropolitanate), and reverted to its original name of St George Free Serbian Orthodox Church. During 2009, the parish faced the decision to be amalgamated into the newly formed Organisation established by Bishop Irinej or to seek acceptance elsewhere.
==Contact==Address: 32 National CircuitChoosing the latter option, Forrestthe parish has been accepted into The [[Holy Synod in Resistance]], ACT<br>Postal Address: PO Box 3339an [[Old Calendarist|Old Calendar]] Church based in Greece, Manuka ACT 2603<br>receiving a blessing from the St. Cyprian and Justina Monastery, Greece. The current parish priest, from 2009, is Fr Dragan Saracevic.
A parallel parish administration aligned with the Serbian Orthodox Church also exists, with Fr. Jakov Jovic installed as parish priest by Bishop Irinej.
==See also==
*[[Holy Synod in Resistance]]
*[[Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand]]
[[Category:Churches|George]][[Category: Churches in Australia|George]][[Category:Orthodoxy in Australia|George]]
