Saint Nicholas' is an Orthodox Christian parish of East Slavic tradition serving Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. It includes Orthodox Christians of Belarussian, Ukrainian, Russian, Macedonian, and other backgrounds. We are a parish of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, a self-governing part of the Russian Orthodox Church, is completely independent in pastoral, educational, administrative, management, property, and civil matters. Our parish is doctrinally Orthodox, liturgically traditional, and welcoming to all. In our services we use English, the language of this country, together with Church Slavonic, the liturgical language of the Slavic peoples. Established in 1952, our parish is the oldest continuously functioning Orthodox parish in the Hunter Valley and one of the oldest in our Diocese. Visiting our parish
We usually have services on the second and fourth Sundays of each month and on the preceding Saturday evenings. Our Schedule of Services can be viewed here. Our church is generally only open when we have services. Visitors are always welcome! If you would like to contact us before visiting, it is best to send an email. We check this inbox regularly and will respond to messages within 24 hours. You can also contact us in the same way to arrange baptisms and memorial services. The availability of our parish priest
Our parish priest, Archpriest James Carles, serves in a voluntary capacity. He does not live in the Hunter Region but travels here from the Central Coast for services. Like many clergymen of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, he has secular employment during the week. In addition to our parish, Father James has responsibility for Saint Panteleimon Russian Orthodox Church in Gosford and Saint Symeon of Verkhoturye Orthodox Mission on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. As a result, his pastoral availability is limited to scheduled services in the three communities and to occasional services such as baptisms, weddings, end-of-life care, and funerals. Confessions are only heard during evening services or before Divine Liturgy. Molebens and memorial services may be arranged after Divine Liturgy on Sundays.
Supporting our parish
Our parish is a small one that relies on community support and the voluntary service of our clergy to make ends meet. If you find this website to be of interest or of assistance, please consider helping us. Donations may be made directly to our bank account:
St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church BSB: 032-509 Account number: 281104
May the Lord bless you! Forthcoming services and activities
Services on 11-12 July, the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost - 12/07/2026
On Saturday 11 July and Sunday 12 July we will have services for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of the Holy, Glorious, and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul. All-night Vigil with the blessing of wheat, wine, oil and five loaves will be served from 6.00pm on Saturday and the Hours and Divine Liturgy will be served from 9.00am on Sunday. Parish Life
Services on 27-28 June, the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - 28/06/2026
On Saturday 27 June and Sunday 28 June we had services for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost and in honour of Saint Jonah, Metropolitan of Kiev (and later Moscow) and All Rus'. (+1461 AD). Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church and, particularly in view of the commemoration of Saint Jonah, for the restoration of peace between the Russian and Ukrainian peoples. Following Divine Liturgy the parish rector and the family of the late ever-memorable Subdeacon Vitaly Lupish gathered at his graveside in Sandgate Cemetery for a panikhida to mark the second anniversary of his repose. 00001
Services on 13-14 June, the Second Sunday after Pentecost - 14/06/2026
On Saturday 13 June and Sunday 14 June we had services for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, the day of commemoration of All Saints of Russia. Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At Divine Liturgy prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and the prosperity of the Russian Orthodox Church. It being the Apostles’ Fast, many of the faithful took the opportunity to confess and receive Holy Communion. Church & Community Life
Now available - the June 2026 issue of "Word of the Church" ("Церковное Слово") - 31/07/2026
The June 2026 issue of “Word of the Church” (“Церковное Слово”), the official journal of the Australian-New Zealand Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), is now available in our parishes. This is the second issue for 2026. Content includes articles in English and Russian on the reception into our Diocese of the Protection of the Holy Virgin parish in South Yarra, Melbourne; the centenary of ROCOR’s German Diocese; the late ever-memorable Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia (+2026); newcomers to Orthodoxy; episcopal directives; and more. Copies are $5.00. |
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