Church purchased in Auckland, New Zealand
Serbian Orthodox Church
To the delight of many Serbian Orthodox believers living in Auckland and Hamilton in New Zealand, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand , an existing presbyterian church was purchased that will be a new church devoted to Saint King Milutin. The church was built in the beginning of the last century and is located in central part of Auckland.
On Sunday, May 16, 2010 a compentent parish priest Sava Antic, in a presence of many believers, served the first Holy Liturgy in the new church. Following the Holy Liturgy, in a courtyard of the new church, the believers of this parish attended a group photo session after which there was a formal lunch which was prepared by sisters from Kolo Srpskih Sestara. This will be remembered as one of the greatest gathering of the New Zealand Serbs. The celebration was attended also by a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia father Vladimir and representatives of presbyterian church. The most donations for the purchase of this church came from New Zealand, but also from Australia, America and Serbia.
This is a great project of the present generation of Serbs who live in New Zealand and their Church Community, because only after 15 years since the foundation of this parish, the church was bought. It will be the permanent property of the Serbian Orthodox Church. This is the second Serbian church in New Zealand. The first was bought 45 years ago in Wellington by the Serbs who had come to New Zealand in early 1950s, and dedicated it to Saint Sava.
