On February, 19, 2017 a meeting with the family of Tatyana Daet took place in the hall of the Church of Christ the Saviour. This 92-year-old lady is a daughter of an officer of the Russian White Guard who at the beginning of the 20^th century was adjutant of admiral Alexander Kolchak. The emcee of the programme Larisa Nikolaevna read the history of this unique family, written according to Tatyana’s memories. Many parishioners of the church, as well as other people living in Wellington and its suburbs, took part in the meeting. Everyone learned that Tatyana’s father Vladimir whomoved to New Zealand from China, was the first to assemble an orchestra of traditional Russian instruments and organise Russian concerts in Wellington. Tatyana showed photos of that time from her family archive. The audience also heard Russian romance songs composed by Vladimir Tanin (pseudomym), performed by Anastasia Davies. Tatyana, who is also well known in Wellingon as a violinist, played a few pieces accompanied by piano, and guitar (her son Kim played the guitar). Kim, who is also a well known musician and instrument maker, performed several pieces on his guitar. Everyone was so impressed by the meeting that people were reluctant to go home when it came to an end.

(51)

Dear parishioners and guests of our church! We invite you on February, 26, 2017 to celebrate Shrove Sunday with us. We are planning to end the Shrovetide week on a happy note. The celebration will include:

1. 9.30 – Divine Liturgy

2. 11.30 – Concert, the reading of Russian poetry, games, quizzes, round dance and a lot of fun.

Everyone is welcome!

(30)

Dear parishioners and guests of our church!

We invite you to a meeting Tatyana Daet and her son Kim Daet at 12 noon on February, 19, 2017.

Tatyana is the daughter of a Russian officer, her father had been adjutant to admiral Kolchak. He founded the Russian community in Wellington in mid 20^th century. Unique photos of that time will be displayed at the meeting. Romance songs written by Tatyana’s father will be performed at the meeting. Tatyana’s son Kim will play several pieces by famous composers, as well as his own music on the guitar. The musical programme also includes performances by Anastasiya Davies and Larisa Bazhenova.

Everyone is welcome to attend this interesting meeting!

(3)

On January, 30^th, 2017, father Alexey Popkov and his wife Olga met the Russian national rugby-7 team. The players of the team were on their way to Australia to continue their participation in the world championship. They were very happy to meet an Orthodox priest, they hadn’t expected anyone to see them off from Wellington. Father Alexey and mother Olga wished the guys new achievements and voiced their pride on the team. We would like to express our gratitude to Jovan Bazhich from Christchurch for organising this meeting.

Here are the names of our heroes:

1. Denis Khramov – the doctor of the team

2. Nikolay Anikeev – massage therapist

3.  Chief coach – Andrey Sorokin;

4. Alexander Yanyushkin –  coach;
   

5. Alexander Tsvetkov – manager

6. Stanislav Bondarev

7. Dmitriy Sukhin

8. German Davydov

9. Ivan Kotov

10. Eduard Filatov

11. Dmitriy Perov

12. Mikhail Kudinov

13. Kevin Akuabu

14. Vladislav Sozonov

15. Vladislav Lazarenko

16. Vitaliy Zhivatov

17. Ilya Babayev

18. Roman Roshchin

(98)

On January, 16, 2017, the funeral service for Evgeniya Zhelonkina (born in 1932) took place in Wellington Church of Christ the Saviour. After a long illness Evgeniya died in on of the rest homes of Wellington – Johnsonvale Rest Home. Before death, she met the priest Alexey Popkov several times, made her confession and took the Holy Communion. A lot of people attended the funeral service as many had known her and were friends with her. On February, 1, 2017 a memorial service was held, followed by the traditional funeral feast ‘on the 9^th day’.

(25)

On January, 25, 2017, father Alexey Popkov was invited to the meeting of the priests of Christian parishes of Miramar, Wellington. The meeting was held at Gateway Baptist Church. All the priests took turns to tell about their parishes. These meetings take place monthly at various christian churches, and the next meeting is planned for the end of February.

(41)

On January, 18 after the evening service, and on January, 19, after the Divine Liturgy father Alexey Popkov at Wellington held the service of Great Blessing of the Waters, which, according to ancient tradition takes place once a year at the day of the Epiphany. Many people from Wellington and its outskirts came to the church to get holy water for their homes. After the service father Alexey consecrated all the premises on the territory of the church.

(41)