Clergy
The hierarchical structure of our church
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill (secular name Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyaev) was born on November 20, 1946 in Leningrad. The Church's communication with the world external to her is a special but integral part of Orthodox mission. This ministry is not always the direct proclamation of the Word of God. However, it helps millions of people to see Orthodoxy from various viewpoints and also to come to feel the beauty and power of Orthodoxy.
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of ROCOR
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas
Bishop Nicholas (Olhovsky) was born on December 17, 1974, in Trenton, NJ. He graduated from Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY in 1998 with a Bachelor of Theology Degree. In 2012, he was ordained to the priesthood. On April 4, 2014, Fr. Nicholas was tonsured as a monk in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville. On June 28-29, 2014, his episcopal Consecration was performed in San Francisco. On September 13, 2022, Bishop Nicholas was elected First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. On September 18, 2022, Metropolitan Nicholas was enthroned.
Ruling Archbishop of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand
His Eminence Archbishop George
The future bishop George, Paul Schaefer, was born on May 25, 1950, in Belleville, Illinois. He graduated from Holy Trinity Seminary in 1980. He was tonsured to the great schema in 1986 at Mount Athos and given the name George. He was ordained a hierodeacon in 1986 and a hieromonk in 1987. On December 7, 2008, Archimandrite George was consecrated to the episcopal office. On April 15, 2015, he officially moved to Australia. On September 21, 2022, he was appointed Ruling Bishop of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand with the title "of Sydney". On July 12, 2024, he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop.
Mitred Archpriest, Chancellor of the Diocese
Dean Archpriest Michael Protopopov
Mitred Archpriest Michael Protopopov is chancellor of the Diocese of Australia & New Zealand of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Australian Catholic University. In addition to his pastoral duties, he currently lectures in History and Theology at the Sts Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Theological Institute. He is the author of a number of books, including biographies of past bishops of the Australian Diocese. For his years of service to the Russian community, he was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1991.
Rector
Reverend Alexei Jukoff
Reverend Alexei Jukoff is the Rector of St. Nicholas Parish in Wayville, South Australia, within the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Theology from the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Electronics Engineering and a Certificate IV in Bookkeeping and Accounting from the Chisholm Institute. In addition to his pastoral duties, he oversees significant parish development projects, including the installation of sacred frescoes and the restoration of the church temple. For his diligent service to the Holy Church, he was awarded the right to wear the Nabedrennik in 2019, and in 2022, he was granted the right to wear the Kamilavka by His Grace Bishop George.
Protodeacon
Protodeacon Paul Tokareff
Protodeacon Paul Tokareff serves as a ranking deacon at St. Nicholas Parish in Wayville, South Australia, within the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Throughout his years of service to the Holy Church, he has been a consistent presence in the liturgical life of this parish.