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St. George Free Serbian Orthodox Church (Forrest, Australian Capital Territory)

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{{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.
The '''St George Free Serbian Orthodox Church in Forrest, Australia''', was formed in 1955, ended in 1963, and resurrected in 1992. From 1963-1992, a group of former Yugoslav Royal Military officers registered the 'Free Serbian Orthodox Church St George Inc' organisation with the ACT government. 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', accompanied by a monument to Cetnik (Royal Yugoslavian Armed Forces) General Dragoljub 'Draza' Mihailovic.
[[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, served by Fr Dusan Popovic. In 1963, the church experienced some unspecified difficulties, during which time a group of former 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 ''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 Church of Serbia, it has been visited by several canonical Orthodox [[bishop]]s, including the Serbian [[Patriarch]] [[Pavle (Stojcevic) of Serbia|Pavle]] in November 2004.
Since 1992, when the schismatic 'Free Church' came into the Serbian Patriarchal fold, 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 Territories Territory's Heritage listed Listed sites and remains a Icon civic icon of the Australian Nations Capital City Canberra to this day.  In August 2006, Bishop Milutin removed the antimension from the [[altar]] of St George's. It is reported that this is due to the church's connection to the Serbian anti-communist freedom fighter Draza Mihailovic: a plaque carrying a dedication to Draza appears at the entrance to Fr Jakov Jovic served the church along side the monument to this Serbian World War hero.  In the Year 2007, the Church was blessed with the restoration of the beautiful fresco’s that line the ceiling and walls allowing its parishioners to once again enjoy their beauty. These Fresco’s have become an icon amongst the Nations Capital, summoning many tourists to share the beauty of Serbian Orthodoxy depicted in these fresco’s whilst learning about several significant events that shaped our Serbian Orthodoxy.  In March 2008, Bishop Irinej removed the antimension from the altar for the second time in two years1992, and authorised for chains to bar the main gates, refusing access to many Christian souls. It is reported that this was due to a dispute with the majority of parishioners that were regular church attendees here. In reality, Bishop Irinej removed the antimension from the altar after a failed attempt to excommunicate a vast majority of these parishioners and install a committee selected succeeded by his will.   During 2008, the Church and its parishioners were abandoned by Bishop Irenej and began the process of slowly rebuilding itself both socially and religiouslyFr 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 Year 2009, The Free Serbian Orthodox Church St George In Canberra Diocese for Australia and New Zealand Inc. has been church was blessed with new religious guidance in the form restoration of Father Dragan Saracevicthe frescoes that line the ceiling and walls. With These frescos have drawn many tourists to Canberra to the experience and leadership of Father Saracevic church, sharing in the future beauty of the church has been given a new hope and her parishioners look forward to exercising their 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 fear of repriseimmediate successor.
==Holy Synod in Resistance (2008-present)==
In March 2008, Bishop Irinej removed the antimension from the altar for the second time in two years, authorising for chains to bar the main gates. It is reported (by whom?) that this is due to a dispute, variously between the property trustees and/or with the majority of regular parishioners.
The Church “Saint George” hopes Following this dispute, the parish broke away from the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand (New Gracanica Metropolitanate), and reverted to continue its development and remain open to people original name of all denominations St George Free Serbian Orthodox Church. During 2009, the parish faced the decision to come and bask in be amalgamated into the glory of our Orthodoxy, without prejudicenewly formed Organisation established by Bishop Irinej or to seek acceptance elsewhere.
“GOD PLACES THE HEAVIEST BURDEN ON THOSE WHO CAN BARE ITS WEIGHT”Choosing the latter option, the parish has been accepted into The [[Holy Synod in Resistance]], an [[Old Calendarist|Old Calendar]] Church based in Greece, receiving a blessing from the St. Cyprian and Justina Monastery, Greece. ==Clergy==* Fr Dusan Popovic (19??-1963)* Fr Jakov Jovic 'prophet' (1992-2004)* Fr Stanisa Ostojic (2004-2006)* Fr Nikola Bilic (2006-2007)* The current parish priest, from 2009, is Fr Dragan Saracevic (2009-present).
==Contact==Address: 32 National CircuitA parallel parish administration aligned with the Serbian Orthodox Church also exists, Forrest, ACT<br>Postal Address: PO Box 3339, Manuka ACT 2603<br>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:Australian Churchesin Australia|George]]
[[Category:Orthodoxy in Australia|George]]
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