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. He is also presently undertaking full-time tertiary study. 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 strictly limited to scheduled services in the three communities and “needs” 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. Father James can be contacted by email here.
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 21-22 March, the Fourth Sunday in Great Lent - 22/03/2026
On Saturday 21 March and Sunday 22 March we will have services for the Fourth Sunday in Great Lent. This year, the customary commemoration of Saint John of the Ladder on this day will be set aside for that of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (+c.320 AD). Matins will be served at 6.00pm on Saturday and the Hours and Divine Liturgy will be served at 9.00am on Sunday. This will be the final Divine Liturgy in our parish during Great Lent. As Saturday 21 March is a day of commemoration of the departed, there will be a general panikhida at 5.00pm. Those attending the panikhida may, as an act of kindness in memory of their departed ones, bring non-perishable foods (tinned vegetables and fruit, long-life milk and milk alternatives, bottled water, packaged crackers) and new personal care products (soaps, shampoos and conditioners, wipes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs and brushes, female sanitary items) to be passed to a local charitable organisation for relief of the homeless. Parish Life
Services on 7-8 March, the Second Sunday in Great Lent - 08/03/2026
On Saturday 7 March and Sunday 8 March we had services for the Second Sunday in Great Lent. Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At Divine Liturgy the customary prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and peace in the Holy Land. As Saturday 7 March was a day of commemoration of the departed, Matins on Saturday evening was preceded by a general panikhida to which many brought non-perishable foods and new personal care products to be passed to a local charitable organisation for relief of the homeless as an act of kindness in memory of their departed. 00001
Our Autumn 2026 Schedule of Services - 22/02/2026
Our Autumn 2026 Schedule of Services - covering March, April and May 2026 - is now available in digital format. It includes services for Great Lent, Holy Week, Pascha, and our patronal feast-day of Saint Nicholas. A copy of the English-language Autumn 2026 Schedule of Services is available here, and a copy of the Russian-language Autumn 2026 Schedule of Services is available here. Printed copies are available in church as of the weekend of 21-22 February. 00002
Services on 21-22 February, the Sunday of Forgiveness - 22/02/2026
On Saturday 21 February and Sunday 22 February our scheduled services for the Sunday of Forgiveness were disrupted, our parish rector having fallen suddenly ill. An akathist was read in place of Matins on Saturday evening, and after the reading of the Hours on Sunday morning, the Typika was served in place of Divine Liturgy. The services on Sunday were led by Reader James Savage. At the end of the Typika those present venerated the holy icons and asked forgiveness of one another in accordance with Orthodox custom. Later, many gathered in the church hall for pancakes (“blini”) prepared by the Ladies’ Auxiliary. 00003
Services on 7-8 February, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son - 08/02/2026
On Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February we had services for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son and in honour of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia. Matins was served on Saturday evening and the Hours and Divine Liturgy were served on Sunday morning. At Divine Liturgy the customary prayers were offered for the unity of the Orthodox Church, peace in Ukraine, and peace in the Holy Land. Church & Community Life
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