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On April, 24, 2017 his Grace George, the bishop of Canberra had an official meeting with the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Russian Federation in New Zealand, Valeriy Tereshchenko. The following persons were also present:
archpriest Vladimir Boykov, the dean of the Russian Orthodox church in New Zealand, rector of Auckland church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ;
father Alexey Popkov, the priest of Wellington church of Christ the Saviour;
Third Secretary of the embassy Arthur Zakayev.
The topics discussed during the meeting included the building of a new Russian church in Auckland. Vladyka George and father Vladimir thanked the ambassador for his assistance in obtaining a permit for buying land for the future church.
The ambassador was interested in the bishop’s visit to New Zealand, he also asked about the quantity of Orthodox churches, their priests and parishioners. Vladyka answered these questions, and also told about the Orthodox churches in Australia. Father Vladimir Boykov spoke about the history of Russian immigration in New Zealand. At the end of the meeting Valeriy Tereshchenko wished all Orthodox parishes in New Zealand to develop fast and productively.
On April, 25 Vladyka George served the Divine Liturgy in Wellington church of Christ the Saviour. Other priests that took part in the service are:
archpriest Vladimir Boykov, the dean of the Russian Orthodox church in New Zealand, rector of Auckland church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ;
father Alexey Popkov, the priest of Wellington church of Christ the Saviour.
About 50 people attended the service, 20 of which took the Holy Communion. After the prayer behind the ambo father Alexey was granted the rank of an archpriest.
After the service, a Serbian choir Vox Serbica (conductor Mima Nikolic) gave a concert in the church. They performed 5 pieces of sacred music:
Ninje Otpushchajeshi (A. Arkhangel’ski)
Bogorodice Djevo Radujsa (S. Rakhmaninov)
Pod Tvoju Milost (D. Bortnyanski)
Da ispravitsja (K. Stanković)
Otche nash (N. Kedrov)
The concert continued in the church hall, where the choir sang 5 more pieces:
Magdo, Magdo (Serbian folk song, arr. Marko Taicević)
Letyat Utki (Russian folk song)
Tamo Daleko (Ðorđe Marinković)
Nad Okoshkom Mesec (S. Esenin / E. Popov)
Eleno Kjerko (Macedonian folk song)
After the Serbian choir, the students of Sunday school Anastasiya and Ekaterina Reed sang the song ‘Christ is Risen’ in English. Tania Koroteeva and Sofia Koroteeva recited Easter poems. Elena Popkova recited a poem ‘The Resurrection of Christ’.
After lunch, Vladyka, priests and other people went to the Russian cemetery, where a memorial service was held and a memorial cross was blessed.
The following morning Vladyka George met Metropolitan Amphilochios of the Greek Orthodox church in the Greek church of St. Andrew. This concluded the visit of Vladyka to Wellington.
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