“How good it is in difficult circumstances in life to know and feel that Someone is nearby,” Bishop Mykola Bychok in Brisbane
October 1, 2023
On Sunday, October 1st, Bishop Mykola Bychok visited the city of Brisbane, where the parish of the Protection of the Mother of God celebrated its parish feast for the first time according to the new Gregorian calendar.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was presided over by Bishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne, in concelebration with Father Simon Ckuj, the protosyncellus of the Eparchy, and Father Stefan Sapun, the administrator of the church of the Protection of the Mother of God.
During his homily, Bishop Mykola emphasized the importance of maternal protection in the lives of believers: ‘How good it is in difficult circumstances in life to know and feel that Someone is nearby, to Whom we can come with our wounds, fears, problems, and crises.’ The Bishop noted that in our lives, there is always Someone Who will accept us, support us, and envelop us with His protection — our Heavenly Mother, who today, always, and at all times carries our prayers before the throne of the Most High and covers us with Her Protection. “Indeed,” continued Bishop Mykola, “there is nothing better and more precious for a child than to nestle in their mother’s embrace and feel her tender hugs. Under the protection of the Mother of God, we feel protected, safe, and enveloped in God’s love and grace.”
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Bishop Mykola expressed his gratitude to Father Stefan, the church’s administrator, the parish council, and all the faithful for their active support and participation in various initiatives of the church.
After the Liturgy, the faithful and guests gathered for a picnic in the parish hall, where this special day was celebrated together. It is worth noting that two Orthodox priests also joined the event — Father Mykola Serdiuk and Father Yurii Fediv, who recently arrived from Ukraine to replace the elder Father Mykola in the ministry.
Shortly after lunch, Bishop Mykola, together with Father Simon and Father Stefan, went to the local cemetery, where they served a Panakhyda and honored the memory of four deceased priests who had served in the Eparchy of Melbourne — Father Constantine Tymochko, Father Danylo Novak, Father Semen Myhal, and Father William Lawrence.