Consecration of the Church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin
The early morning of 24 September 2006 was rainy, overcast and windy. But the poor weather could not wipe the smiles off the faces of the parishioners of the Joy of All Who Sorrow church, who were arriving at the Orthodox Church in Brunswick, Melbourne. The grandeur of the structure, the beauty of the five gold domes, crowned with crosses, brought joy, while the inner anticipation of the wait for the beginning of the great consecration of the church only heightened that feeling.
Whoever enters the church involuntarily slows his pace. The abundance of space and height of the ceilings evokes amazement. Natural wood used in the decoration of the church pleases and captures the eye. Three arches, located to the left and to the right of the main entrance to the church, sit upon tall columns. Each column is decorated with carvings, which rise up to just above head height. The linear, slightly embossed pattern of straight and curved lines on the flat surface of the wood, precisely delineating the contours of the image, looks sharp and harsh. The natural colour of the wood carvings is well matched with the repetition of red and green, which are used in colouring the background to the carving. On each side of all four columns, there is a space for an icon. On some sides of the columns, icons have already been placed and are decorated with real, live flowers. 
The warmth and beauty of natural wood find their continuation in the carved iconostasis, which occupies the central position in the church, and the carved Royal Doors. The iconostasis, even in its incomplete state, attracts attention. The brightly coloured painting of the background of the carving, the opulent arch over the Royal Doors and the columns lend the iconostasis the appearance of a magical architectural construction. The carved Royal Doors are decorated with miniature painted icons, situated in carved icon-cases: the uppermost portions are decorated with images of the Annunciation, in the lower registers are icons of the evangelists: apostle Matthew, apostle Mark, apostle Luke and apostle John the Theologian.
In the icon-painting of the carved iconostasis, the same colour scheme is used as in the backgrounds of the carvings on the columns and the iconostasis itself. The golden background of each icon distinguishes it on the iconostasis and serves as a harmonious continuation of the natural colour of the wood.
Next to the Royal Doors are two tables. One small, the other bigger. Both are covered with the same cloth as the analogion. The table that is smaller stands before an image of the Saviour. On it – a paten under a star. The table that is slightly bigger is in front of the Royal Doors. Whatever is on it is covered by a cloth and inaccessible to the eye. On the edges of this table are two lit candles.
Light wooden analogions on one round leg, which forms a pyramid with a cross depicted on each side at the base, are covered with cloths with a pretty blue pattern and a fringe sewn along the edges. They are all placed near the ambo, which is separated from the middle part of the church by a low wooden balustrade to the left and right of the Royal Doors and ending at the doors that are located either side of the Royal Doors.
The praying faithful come up to the analogion, kiss the icons and place unlit candles in the candleholders.
The eye involuntarily looks upward. You freeze at once. From the ceiling, the Saviour looks upon you, while three windows below His image not only add light, but also underscore the boundlessness of the merciful gaze of the Saviour. Below, images from the Bible, separated from one another by the images of four evangelists, are depicted on the ceiling.
The church fills with the sounds of barely audible footsteps. His Grace Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand enters the church. He is greeted by V Rev Nikita Chemadakov, V Rev Nicholas Karipoff, V Rev Alexander Morozov, V Rev Gabriel Makarov, V Rev Nicholas Dalinkiewicz, V Rev Peter Sheko, V Rev George Lapardin, V Rev Nicolas de Carleton, Rev Boris Ignatievsky, Rev George Morozov, Rev Simeon Kichakov, Rev George Robinson, Rev Hieromonk John Smelic, Rev Hieromonk John Macpherson, Rev Hieromonk Euthemy Samorukoff, protodeacon Basil Yakimov, protodeacon Basil Kozulin and deacon Alexander Abramoff. Archbishop Hilarion, having been vested, makes the sign of the cross over those present, after which the Archbishop and the clergy, also attired in vestments, put on white aprons over their vestments. The clergy then enter the altar through the Royal Doors and the Doors close. 
Some time later, V Rev Peter Sheko emerges from the altar and informs the congregation that they can light their candles from the candle that the Archbishop will bring out from the altar. Everyone waits in anticipation. Church singing is heard from the altar. This heightens the feeling of expectation of the first candle to be lit. All of a sudden there are sounds of banging, like a hammer striking a nail. The silence in the church is replaced with whispers, which intensify in their volume. It seems that those who are seeing the consecration of a church for the first time are trying to find out from those more experienced what is going on. But now the Royal Doors have opened, the Archbishop emerges and silence and peace descend upon the church. The Archbishop kneels, facing those present, who also kneel, and begins reading a prayer. He asks God to send down the Holy Spirit and consecrate the church and altar, so that bloodless Sacrifices made upon it could be received in the heavenly altar and to send upon devotees heavenly grace.
After the prayer, the Archbishop returns to the altar, the Royal Doors are again closed and a great litany is read, with petitions about the consecration of the church and altar.
The reading of prayers is heard from the altar, followed by sounds that resemble those made by a cord sliding along wood. The reading of prayers and singing continues, after which Archbishop Hilarion proclaims, “Glory to our God, unto the ages of ages”. 
The Royal Doors open and Archbishop Hilarion emerges with the censer. His Grace is preceded by protodeacon Basil Yakimov with a candle. Archbishop Hilarion incenses the whole church, while he is followed by protodeacon Basil Kozulin and V Rev Peter Sheko, who sprinkles the walls of the church with holy water, V Rev Nicholas Karipoff anoints the walls with Holy Chrism in the form of a cross. First the wall above the High Place in the altar was anointed, then the walls above the doors – the Western, Southern and Northern. The anointing was no easy task. To reach the uppermost point above the doors, the anointing brush had to be tied to a long metal tube. Raised, it began to vibrate slightly. But Fr Nicholas, it seemed, did not notice this. Or maybe he was helped by the singing of the psalm “Judge me, o Lord, for I have walked in mine innocence”, in which the royal prophet pours out his joy at seeing the beauty of the house of God.
Archbishop Hilarion and the clergy who were with him go into the altar, while the congregation hear the little litany and the reading of a prayer by the Archbishop, in which he asks God to commit the new church and altar with His divine glory so that bloodless Sacrifice may be made in it for the salvation of all people, “unto the remission of sins both voluntary and involuntary, unto the governing of our life, unto the leading to a good course of life and the fulfilling of all righteousness”. After this prayer, the proclamation, “Bow your heads to the Lord”, is made and a prayer in which he thanks God for his relentless outpouring of grace, descending from the apostles to him, is read. When the Royal Doors opened at the conclusion of the reading of the prayer, all eyes turned to the warm yellow glow of a candle, which was brought out by Archbishop Hilarion. This is that long-awaited first candle to be lit in the altar, of which Fr Peter Sheko spoke! Those present reached for the ambo, to light their candles from the one brought out by the Archbishop and from their candles, light the candles in the candleholders and the icon lamps. The clergy came out of the altar and also started lighting their candles from the one being held by Archbishop Hilarion. There was a pleasant ache in the heart, and a gentle warmth poured out over the church and many little candle lights lit up the church and headed outside it for the procession with the cross. Archbishop Hilarion, taking the Holy Paten and Holy Relics, covered with an aer over the star, sets it upon his head. The choir sings, “As with fine purple linen, Thy Church has been adorned with the blood of Thy Martyrs…”, and then, “The universe offers the God-bearing Martyrs as the first-fruits of nature…” But the procession with the cross stops at the Western doors. The choir enters the church, while 
Archbishop Hilarion and the clergy remain outside. Archbishop Hilarion puts the paten on a specially prepared table, bows, makes the sign of the cross over the priests standing with the Gospel and icons behind the table in front of the doors, facing West. He proclaims, “Blessed art Thou always, O Christ our God, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages”, immediately after which the Archbishop exclaims, “Lift up your gates, O you princes, and be lifted up, O eternal gates; and the King of Glory shall enter in”. The choir inside the church sings: “Who is this King of Glory?” Archbishop Hilarion conducts the incensing of the paten, again repeats the words said by him before and the choir again sings the same words. Then Archbishop Hilarion removes the mitre, reads aloud a prayer in which he asks God to establish the church being consecrated to be affirmed until the end of days for the bringing of praise to the Holy Trinity. After the prayer, Archbishop Hilarion, taking the paten upon his head, makes the sign of the cross over the doors to the church and says, “The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory”. The choir repeats these words. The doors open and Archbishop Hilarion and the clergy enter the altar. 
V Rev Fr Nicholas Karipoff emerges from the altar and says that the Archbishop is embedding the holy relics of Holy Martyr Fabian and Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth in the antimens and reminds everyone that in ancient times, churches were only built on holy remains of martyrs.
Meantime, the clergy inside the altar covered the altar with a cover made of carved wood, then covered that with a decorative cloth. Archbishop Hilarion places the Gospel and Cross on the altar during the reading of the prayer. After this, 
Archbishop Hilarion, kneeling and with everybody else also kneeling, reads a prayer for the founders and builders of the church. He asks for God to send forth the goodness of the Holy Spirit, give everyone single-mindedness and peace and to the founders and builders of the church – absolution of sins.
A short litany and dismissal concluded the consecration of the church, after which the hours were read and athe liturgy took place. During the liturgy, V Rev Fr Nicholas Karipoff was awarded the right to wear a cross with decorations for his dedicated pastoral service and in connection with the conclusion of the construction of the church and its consecration.
A bright moment in the liturgy was the sermon of Archbishop Hilarion in Russian and in English, in which it was noted that all those gathered in the church were rewarded, and the most heartfelt prayers were heard, while wishes were delivered to this parish to continue its good work in the name of God. Further, Archbishop Hilarion suggested remembering the time when the Israeli people, being in the Sinai desert, created a tabernacle to sing prayers and bring sacrifices to God in thanks and for absolution of sins. After that, Archbishop Hilarion reminded everyone of the Temple built by King Solomon. The answer to the question of what a church is for was given by the continuation of the sermon. Archbishop Hilarion noted that there was no church in paradise, for God Himself interacted with the people. Those living on Earth need churches. We should pray ceaselessly. But a prayer said together is stronger, while a prayer said during a liturgy is the strongest, since God’s invisible presence is among us when in church. In conclusion of his guidance, Archbishop Hilarion wished all those present God’s help and for this church to remain here until the end of time.
After the liturgy, V Rev Fr Nicholas Karipoff congratulated everyone who worked on the construction of the church and awarded them with honorary certificates. The choir and devotees sang Many Years, and then eternal memory to those who constructed the church, but who are no longer among those gathered in the church.
The solemn conclusion to the festive day was the opening of memorial plaques, located at the left and right of the Western doors of the church. One memorial plaque, installed in honour of the consecration of the church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin, was opened by George Lekakis, chairman of the Committee for Multiculturalism of the State of Victoria, while the other – in honour of the consecration of the first stone and in memory of all builders of the church, was opened by the mayor of Moreland Shire Council, Anthony Helou.
The consecration of the church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin, undoubtedly, was a significant event in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, the Australian and New Zealand Diocese and the parish, whose priest is V Rev Fr Nicholas Karipoff. From a very brief conversation with His Grace Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand, it became known that while he has participated in the consecration of a church before, the consecration of the church in Melbourne became the first, which he himself conducted. It seems that it would not be a mistake to say that the consecration of the church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin was an important milestone in the life of our Archbishop too.
Among those to whom it was especially momentous that the construction of the church had been completed and its consecration – carried out was Rev Fr Simeon Kichakov, the parish priest of the Joy of All Who Sorrow church in Geelong. He began his service as a deacon at the parish Protection of the Holy Virgin and had a most direct involvement in the construction of the church. His name is listed among the list of builders, placed on the memorial plaque mounted at the Western doors of the church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin. From the conversation with Fr Simeon, it was learned that almost 17 years had passed since the consecration of the first stone of the church, which was carried out on 5 November 1989 by His Grace (+) Archbishop Pavel (Pavlov) of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand. The church was built with the funds of the parish and donations from Orthodox faithful not only of the State of Victoria, but also from some parishes in America under the direction of V Rev Fr Nicholas Karipoff by builders from the ranks of the parishioners of the parish of the Protection of the Holy Virgin and helpers from other parishes in Victoria. Fr Simeon said that besides those who greeted the Archbishop, Rev Hiero-monk Kirill took part in the consecration. He also explained what was included in the part of the consecration that took place in the altar, behind closed Royal Doors. Apparently, everything begins with the setting of the altar. First of all, Archbishop Hilarion, having blessed his concelebrants, sprinkled the legs of the altar with holy water and poured boiling wax-mastic over its corners in the shape of the cross. The wax-mastic is made of wax, gum, ground marble, frankincense, aloe and other aromatic substances. The wax-mastic, as well as nails, is needed to affix the board of the altar. At the same time, the wax-mastic signifies the aromas with which the body of the Saviour was rubbed when it was removed from the Cross. After that, the Archbishop sprinkled the top board of the altar with holy water on both sides and it was placed upon the altar legs. 
Then the Archbishop sprinkled four nails and, embedding them in the corners of the altar, attached the board to the legs using rocks with the help of clergy (here, then, is the explanation for that strange sound, resembling the hammering of nails, that broke the silence in the church). After the affirmation, the altar was washed twice: first with warm water and soap, then with rose water mixed with red wine. 
The washed altar was dried with towels. The first and second washing were preceded with a secret prayer by Archbishop Hilarion over the water and wine about the sending upon them of the blessing of Jordan and the grace of the Holy Spirit for consecration and the bringing of sacrifice. The second washing of the altar comprised the pouring of red wine mixed with rose water on it in the shape of the cross thrice, after which the priests rubbed the rose water, into the top board of the altar with their hands, and then each priest wiped the altar with a sponge. 
After the washing of the altar, Archbishop Hilarion with a blessing in the name of God began anointing it with Holy Chrism. First he made three crosses on the altar with Holy Chrism: one in the middle, and the other two – a little lower on either side of it, indicating the places where the Gospel, paten and cup are to be placed during the liturgy; then he made three crosses on each side of the legs of the altar and on the ribs; finally, he made three crosses with Holy Chrism on the antimens. 
After the anointing with Holy Chrism, the altar was robed with altar cloths, which were previously sprinkled with holy water. As the altar signifies the tomb of Christ and the throne of the Heavenly King, two cloths are laid upon it: the lower altar cloth and the upper altar cloth. Having put the lower cloth on the altar, the clergy thrice encircle the altar with cord (here is the explanation for the second sound that came from the altar) so that a cross forms on each side of it. Then the outer cloth of the altar was consecrated and the table was covered with it. After that, the iliton, antimens, Gospel and cross were laid upon the altar after being sprinkled with holy water and all this was covered with a shroud.
After this, the oldest presbyter enveloped—with the sprinkling of holy water—the altar in holy cloths, placed upon it consecrated vessels, the protecting veil and covered them with a shroud. Fr Simeon explained that the oblation table is a place only for the preparation of sacrifice, but not its consecration, so it was not consecrated in the same way as the altar. Only after this were the white aprons removed from Archbishop Hilarion and the priests, and the Royal Doors opened.
Fr Simeon also said that on the paten under the star, which stood at the Royal Doors, were holy relics. After the moving and placement of the relics under the altar, Archbishop Hilarion, having anointed particles of the relics with Holy Chrism, placed them inside the antimens and secured them with the wax-mastic.
Thanks to Fr Simeon, it was possible to recreate the complete picture of the consecration of the church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin, and better understand the content of the service, which, without a doubt, will remain in the memories of those present forever.
L. Kashina
Pictures: Alexander Paramonov and Nick Kashin