Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
Please forgive my haste of getting right to point of this, without a doubt it is a matter of great urgency. I should have posted this here sooner!
As you are my brothers and sisters in Christ the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, I call upon you, your family and friends, and all Christians to pray to Our Heavenly Father for His mercy, and grant us, 'Australia' true repentance and respite from the Drought. It is the worst we've seen in many, many years - and the whole country now is truly suffering from it.
If you would be willing to participate at the same time, same date, wherever you are, perhaps you could organise a Molieben to be said? If unable to do a Molieben ... simply pray. If we don't ask, it might be a missed opportunity, but prayers said regardless is powerful.
Vladika has blessed us for the following pilgrimage. Please see below the details of where we will be for this service.
Itinerary for Condobolin Pilgrimage
Molieben sung in Time of Drought
Tuesday 21st November, 2006 - Service at 1pm
Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and All the Angels
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand (ROCOR), we will be travelling to Condobolin in central New South Wales to serve a molieben especially for times of drought.
Archbishop Hilarion feels this is an important step in supplicating God's Grace at this time for the people who are suffering so greatly in these areas and in turn ourselves. Drought is a devastating occurrence and regrettably there are farmers who are taking their own lives (current figures 1 farmer every 4 days). This is an opportunity for us as Orthodox Christians to show true Christian Love by presenting the Orthodox Faith in its true light.
We hope that we will also do a procession within the township of Condobolin. A distance of approximately 5 km has been mapped out. We would ask that those who intend to come, to fast for 3 days, and if possible, to partake of Communion as close to this date as possible.
This is an ancient Orthodox custom, which was practiced throughout all Christian countries. Wise Fathers of the Church often encouraged their flocks to fast and pray in times of natural disasters and storms, to seek God's forgiveness and mercy. When the people truly repented, God was quick
to withdraw His chastisement. Let us hope that if we too go with repentant hearts He will be quick to forgive and bring swift relief.
Distances from Various Points
Parramatta to Condobolin - 439 km
Route: Penrith, Katoomba, Lithgow, Orange, Manildra, Parkes, Bogan Gate, CondobolinCampbelltown to Condobolin - 483 km
Route: Penrith, Katoomba, Lithgow, Orange, Manildra, Parkes, Bogan Gate, CondobolinGosford to Condobolin - 516 km
Route: Hornsby, Parramatta, Penrith, Katoomba, Lithgow, Orange Manildra, Parkes, Bogan Gate,
CondobolinQueanbeyan to Condobolin - 405 km
Route: Yass, Harden, Young, Grenfell, Forbes, Parkes, Bogan Gate, CondobolinMoss Vale to Condobolin - 550 km
Route: Goulburn, Yass, Harden, Young, Grenfell, Forbes, Parkes, Bogan Gate, Condobolin
Although I myself, am unable to go, at 1pm (AET), I will be praying along with my brothers and sisters who will be there, and hope you may be able to pray for us Aussies too.
Many thanks!
A Servant in Christ,
Katherine
PS - PLEASE PASS ON THIS INFORMATION TO ANY PEOPLE YOU KNOW WHO WOULD ALSO BE INTERESTED IN PRAYING ALONG WITH US ... WHEREVER YOU ARE!