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John 19:38-42

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John 19:38-42

John 19:38–42

38After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea (who was a disciple of Jesus but secretly for fear of the Jews) asked Pilate for permission to take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, and so Joseph came and took away his body. 39Nicodemus (who earlier had come to Jesus by night) also came and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. 40Then, they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41Now, there was a garden at the place where Jesus had been crucified. In the garden, there was a new tomb in which no one had ever yet been laid. 42Then, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.


You will hear this Gospel read at The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church during Holy Week, on Great and Holy Thursday. It is followed by the Gospel reading from Matthew 27:62-66​.

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. 

About us. We are a vibrant Australian Christian community under the direction of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand & the Philippines, which is under 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 the Service of Holy Thursday is held in the Main Chapel of the Religious Centre at Monash University, Clayton Campus, conveniently located in the centre of Melbourne’s residential population.

Parking in the University car parks is free after 7:00 pm, but please take note of all signs regarding Loading Zones, No Standing and Disabled Parking, these restrictions apply and are enforced.

For directions to the Religious Centre click here 

Blog

The Tree of Life: Why We Glory in the Cross
Fr. Nicholas Frazer
Fr. Nicholas Frazer
September 13, 2026 10:00 AM
Ahead of the feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, Fr. Nicholas Frazer preaches on why the cross stands at the very centre of the Orthodox faith. Drawing on Christ's words to Nicodemus and on Ss. John Chrysostom, Athanasius and Cyril of Alexandria, he traces the pattern of salvation history: death came through a tree in paradise, and life comes through the tree of the cross. The cross is shown as the revelation of God's love, the throne of the King and the defeat of death — and each of us is called to take it up daily in forgiveness, humility and repentance.
The Wedding Garment: Making the Most of What Christ Offers
Sdn Tim Grace
Sdn Tim Grace
September 6, 2026 10:00 AM
Preaching on Father's Day, Sub Dn. Timothy Grace takes up the parable of the wedding feast and the guest without a garment. In the ancient world the host supplied the garments, so to arrive without one was not poverty but insult — and Christ, the great host, has supplied us with everything we need. Drawing on St. Symeon the New Theologian's call to run to the light while it still shines, he asks what excuse any of us will offer for not becoming holy. He closes with a word to fathers on steering between indifference and control, and on St. Paul as a model of invested, un-domineering fatherhood.
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