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{{orthodoxyinaustralasiaorthodoxyinnewzealand}}{{stub}}This is a timeline of the Orthodox presence in New Zealand.

==Pre-Diocesan EraImmigrants from the Middle East (to 1916)==*1850s: Massacres of Orthodox Christians by the Ottoman Turks in Lebanon, Mount Lebanon, Syria, and other parts of the Middle East see a great displacement of Orthodox from these regions. *1860s: Numbers of Arabic speaking Orthodox arrive in Australia and some move from there to New Zealand. *1880s: Discovery of gold, especially around Dunedin, sees significant arrivals of Orthodox from Eastern Europe and the Middle East in New Zealand. Dunedin becomes financial capital of New Zealand. *1890s: Russian, Syrian, and Greeks, set up joint community worship groups where all involved are welcome.*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 communities around the world. :: Local communities in Australia consider Patriarch of Jerusalem neutral in this dispute and ask him to send out [[priest]]s for Australasia. Priests sent, one each to Sydney and Melbourne.*1902: [[Church of Greece]] takes seizes responsibility for Greek parishes Orthodox [[parish]]es in Australia Australasia from the [[Church of Jerusalem]].*1908: [[Church of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarchate]] grants arbitrates, prohibits any language other than church Greek in these churches, and assigns [[jurisdiction ]] of Greek Orthodox parishes in Australia 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.*1911 Jan 11:: First Orthodox church in New Zealand, dedicated to [[Archangel Michael|St Michael's]], blessed purpose built in Dunedin .*1911 Jan 11: Free of debt, St. Michael Dunedin is [[consecration of a church|consecrated]] by Fr Archimandrite Nicholas(Manovitch) presumably under Patriarchal faculty.*1913: V Rev Fr [[Nicholas Shehadie]] appointed Patriarchal [[Exarch]] for Australia and New Zealand by Patriarch Gregorious Haddad of Antioch.::Archimandrite Nicholas (Manovitch) leaves New Zealand for Sydney, Australia. No priest is left in New Zealand.*1916: Fr Exarch Nicholas Shehadie visits New Zealand for 2-3 months. Conducts servicesthroughout New Zealand. After his departure , again there is, again, no Orthodox priest in New Zealand.

==Australasian Diocesean EraImmigrants 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.*1919: Exarchate of Australia and New Zealand (Antiochian) is confirmed as permanent by Patriarch of Antioch.*1920s: Millions of people displaced due to genocidal massacres in modern Turkey following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Large numbers of Orthodox flee to the Americas and Australasia.

::Jul 8: [[Metropolitan ]] [[Christoforos (Knitis) of SamosAustralia and New Zealand|Christoforos (Knitis)]] of Australia and New Zealand (Greek) arrivesin Australia.*1928: Metropolitan Christoforos (Knitis) leaves for deposed, exiled to Samos.*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 Antonius ]] [[Antonious (Mobayed) stays ]] (Antiochian) arrives in New Zealand and stays for several months. Asks local Anglican [[clergy]], who agree, transfers responsibility to care for church to local Anglican clergy as a temporary measureOrthodox during his absences. Fr Antonius 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.*1948 Nov: [[Bishop]] [[Theodore (Rafalsky) of Sydney|Theodore (Rafalsky)]] (ROCOR) arrives in Australia.*1950s: Russian Orthodox churches established in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch by Mitred Archpriest [[Alexey Godyaew]] who travels extensively pastoring the parishes until his retirement.

*1959 Apr 27: Metropolitan [[Ezekiel (Tsoukalas) of Pisidia|Ezekiel (Tsoukalas)]] newly elected Greek Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand arrives in Australia.::Sep 1: The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Australia and New Zealand becomes the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand, and . Metropolitan Ezekiel becomes elevated to [[Archbishop]].*19611963: St Andrew's Brotherhood set up by Archbishop Ezekiel for Serbian Orthodox Church establishes first parish, Saint Sava in Wellington, with priest Dusan Kurizda.*1969: Metropolitan Iakovos of Philadelphia, [[Exarch]] of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, arrives in Australia to consider future of the improvement Greek churches of Archdiocesan servicesAustralia and of New Zealand.::First Antiochian Orthodox hierarch, Bishop [[Gibran (Ramlawey) of Australia and New Zealand|Gibran (Ramlawey)]] of [[Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand|Australia and New Zealand]], arrives in Australia.*1970 Jan: Patriarchate of Constantinople creates [[Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand]] separating it from the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]]. [[Dionysios (Psiahas) of Proussa|Dionysios (Psiahas)]] elected Metropolitan of New Zealand and Exarch of India, Korea and Japan.*1971: An Anglican priest, Rev Jack Witbrock, converts to Orthodoxy. *1972 Sep: Bishop Gibran [[ordination|ordains]] [[Jack Witbrock]] to the [[deacon|diaconate]] and priesthood in Saint Nicholas Church, Melbourne. Appoints Fr Jack as [[Rector]] of Saint Michael Church, Dunedin. Fr Jack visits Dunedin, NZ a month later. *1973 Antiochian Mission in Christchurch begins, regularly visited by Fr Jack. *1974 Antiochian Mission in Auckland begins, regularly visited by Fr Jack until 1978.*1974 Dec 30: First Clergylocal [[Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand|Serbian Orthodox]] hierarch of Australia and New Zealand, Bishop Nikolai (Mrdja), [[enthronement|enthroned]] in Australia. ==Immigrants from Lebanon and Eastern Europe (1975-1999)==*1975-Laity Congress held 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 SydneyAuckland, Wellington, and Dunedin.*19651976: Second ClergyRomanian 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: Allan Eades ordained deacon and then priest by Bishop Gibran in Auckland, who changes his name to Ilyan, the Arabic equivalent. Fr [[Ilyan Eades]] is appointed Rector of the Antiochian Church in Auckland, moving there from Te Awamutu in the Waikato Region.*1991: Soviet Union disintegrates. Russian borders opened, allowing emigration.::Mar 19: Mitred Archpriest Alexey Godyaew reposes. Funeral conducted by Greek, Romanian and Serbian clergy.*1991-Laity Congress held 2001: Large numbers of citizens of formerly Communist countries emigrate to countries where communities had been established in Sydneyprior 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 community in New Zealand greatly strengthened by new arrivals.*19691992 Oct: Metropolitan Iakovos Fr Ilyan Eades transferred to be the rector of Philadelphia arrives as St Michael Church, Dunedin. He also establishes and pastors Invercargill mission.*1996 Nov: The first Pastoral visit by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch [[ExarchBartholomew I (Archontonis) of Constantinople|Bartholomew I]] to New Zealand*1996: Exarchate of India removed from Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand and allocated to the Ecumenical Patriarchatenewly-established (Greek) [[Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia]].*1998 Nov: Hutt Valley Mission of Saint John (Antiochian) commences with first visit by Fr Jack Witbrock*1999 Jan 16: Repose of Bishop Gibran Ramlawey.::Palm Sunday: Dr [[Ian Nield]] and his family received into Orthodoxy ::Oct: Election and consecration of Archimandrite Paul Saliba as Metropolitan Archbishop of Australia and New Zealand (Antiochian).

==New Zealand Metropolis EraLocal Born Clergy Flourish (2000-''present'')==*1970 Jan2000 Jul: New Zealand separates from the Metropolitan Archbishop [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Paul (Saliba) of Australiaand New Zealand|Paul]], becoming a separate [[Greek Orthodox Metropolis of makes first archpastoral visit to New Zealand]]. Dionysios elected Metropolitan of New Zealand Fr Jack Witbrock and Exarch Fr Ilyan Eades elevated to archpriest. Dr Nield invited to join Archdiocesan board.::Sep: First Antiochian eastern-rite Divine Liturgy in Wellington is held at the Anglican Church of IndiaSaint Barnabas, Roseneath, Korea and Japanorganised by Dr Nield.*1971: Fr Jack Witbrock:Oct 22: Ihsan Bosauder of Auckland ordained as Deacon [[George Bosauder]] by Met Abp Paul at Saint Nicholas Church Bankstown, a former Anglican priestNSW, converts Australia. Returned to OrthodoxyAuckland on 30 October::Nov 12: Dcn George commenced Sunday services at Howick, Auckland.*19722001 April: First Antiochian Orthodox hierarch, Bishop [[Gibran (Rimlawi) Clergy Conference of Australia and New Zealand|Gibran (RimlawiAntiochian)]] of [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand|Australia and New Zealand]], arrives held in Sydney Australia.::SepNov 11: Bishop Gibran ordains Fr [[Jack Witbrock]] Dcn George ordained to the diaconate and priesthood, and assigns Fr Jack to serve St Michael's in Dunedin. This he does for 12 yearsby Met Abp Paul at Saint Ignatius Church Auckland.*1973 2002 May: Second Clergy Conference of Australia and New Zealand (Antiochian Mission at Christchurch begins) held in Sydney Australia.*1974 Dec 302003 Jan: First NZ Clergy Conference (Antiochian) chaired by Abp Paul at Frederic Wallis House, Lower Hutt. On Saturday, Dr [[Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia Ian Nield]] ordained deacon and New Zealand|Serbian OrthodoxFr Dcn [[Michael Elder]] hierarch, Bishop Nikolai (Mrdja), enthronedordained priest.::May: Construction of On Sunday Fr Dcn Ian Nield ordained priest and Fr [[St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College (SydneyVictor Didenco]], Australia)previously [[canonical release|St. Andrew's Greek canonically released]] from the [[Moldovan Orthodox Theological CollegeChurch]] commences. College prepares to open , received into Antiochian Archdiocese and appointed head of mission in 1986Christchurch.*1986 Feb: St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College begins teaching.*1992 Oct: Fr Ilyan Eades moves from Auckland February: Priest Arkady Trashkov appointed to Dunedin to pastor St Michael'sSaint Nicholas Russian parish in Christchurch.*1996: [[Orthodox Metropolitanate :April: Third Clergy Conference of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia]] established with the exarchates of Singapore, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines Australia and Singapore, taking India away from New Zealand(Antiochian) held in Melbourne Australia. ::July: [[Nikitas Deanery of New Zealand (LuliasAntiochian) of Hong Kong|Nikitas (Lulias)]] made first metropolitan. New Zealand retains exarchates of Korea and Japan. Later, [[Church of Russia|MoscowDeanery]] would protest of the exarchate Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of China, Australia and this exarchate would be dropped from the Metropolitanate's list.*2000: Metropolitan Paul makes first archpastoral visit to New Zealandcreated. Fr Archpriest Jack Witbrock and Fr Ilyan Eades elevated to archpriest. Wellington mission begun (alternating Byzantine and Western rites), Fr Ian Nield named priestappointed Dean.*2003:: 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).::JanNov: Met Joseph asks Met Abp Paul to release Fr Victor Didenco received into Antiochian ArchdioceseIlyan to Greek Metropolis of New Zealand. Fr Ilyan says he is happy with Antioch; Met Abp Paul declines to release him.*2004 May::July: New Zealand Deanery of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese Fourth Clergy Conference of Australia and New Zealand created. Archpriest Jack Witbrock made Dean(Antiochian) held in Wollongong, Australia.*2004: By decree :[[Orthodox Metropolis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Korea is raised to Metropolis]] ([[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 metropolitanof 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 submits his resignation from the see (Harkiolakis) of the New Zealand|Joseph (Harkiolakis)]] resigns as Greek Orthodox Metropolis Metropolitan of New Zealandand moves to Athens.*2005 ::Oct: Bishop [[Amphilochios (Tsoukos) of New Zealand|Amphilochios(Tsoukos)]] elected Metropolitan of New Zealand.::Nov: [[Monastery of St. Andrew the First-called (Miramar, New Zealand)|Monastery of St Andrew]] founded.::Dec: Archpriest Ilyan Eades again declines an offer to join the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Zealand, with full-time salary to be paid by Greek government.::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 meeting in Wollongong presided over by Met. Abp Paul has wide-ranging discussions for the future of the Orthodox Church in New Zealand. Further discussions held in plenary session of Conference.*2008 Feb: Deacon [[Eugene Koulanov]] ordained to the Priesthood to serve as second priest in Christ the Saviour Russian parish in Auckland.

*Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand, [http://antiochian.org.nz Deanery of New Zealand]

[[Category:Orthodoxy_in_New_ZealandOrthodoxy in New Zealand]][[Category:Church History]][[Category:Timelines|New Zealand]]