Foundations of Orthodox Christianity

Foundations of Orthodox Christianity in 2022

In 2020, The Good Shepherd presented its catechism program, Foundations of Orthodox Christianity. Like many Parish initiatives, it went online and was able to continue under our two lockdowns. We celebrated the fruits of this course with the baptism and chrismation of our newest members of the community.

Resuming in 2021, Foundations of Orthodox Christianity is presenting a new and expanded course based on Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev's book series Orthodox Christianity and the official catechism of the Archdiocese.

This course is suited for those who are seeking to become Orthodox, existing Orthodox who seek to reacquaint themselves with the Faith and people who simply wish to enquire and learn more.

The sessions will take place in person twice each month from February to November and will run for approximately 75 minutes. Sessions will be delivered in-person at the Religious Centre and simultaneously online via Zoom following the Sunday Liturgy.

To register your interest in participating in the course, send us an email to introduce yourself. We will respond with details about how to connect with our sessions.

Details

The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church, located in Clayton, Melbourne, is a living witness to the power of the Gospel and the fullness of the Christian Faith in modern, secular Australia.

We are a vibrant Australian Christian community under the direction of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand & the Philippines, which belongs to the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.

The Church of Antioch is the continuation of the Christian community founded in Antioch by the Apostles Peter (who served as its first bishop) and Paul. The Patriarchate of Antioch is the oldest of the ancient Patriarchates constituting the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ.

All services are in the English language and are streamed online via Facebook and YouTube. The Good Shepherd hosts regular online meetings for fellowship, prayer, patristic reading and children’s Sunday school.

Blog

The Two Kinds of Suffering: Voluntary and Involuntary

Sdn Tim Grace

August 9, 2026 10:00 AM

In this sermon, Sub Dn. Timothy Grace explores the Orthodox understanding of suffering, distinguishing between the voluntary hardships we take on through the ascetic disciplines of the Church and the involuntary trials that come to us against our will. Drawing on the day's epistle and gospel readings, he shows how both kinds of suffering, when met with patience and the right attitude, can open the heart to the grace of God. He reminds us that the Church is the place where these two forms of suffering meet, and that even what feels like failure by the world's standards can become our victory in Christ.

What Will You Do? The Feeding of the Five Thousand

Daniel McInnes

July 26, 2026 10:00 AM

In this sermon on the feeding of the five thousand, Daniel McInnes reads St Matthew's account alongside the fuller detail of St John's Gospel, where Christ tests the disciples with the question, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" Daniel draws out how God chooses to work through people who bring the little they have, how the miracle foreshadows the Eucharist, and how the same question — "What will you do?" — meets us in the needs we encounter every day.

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