Experience the fullness of the Christian Faith

The Holy Mysteries

Home
>>
The Holy Mysteries

The Holy Mysteries express how God restores people to a loving, trusting relationship with Him. They are the primary means of communicating His peace, love and grace in the form of His indwelling presence. 

Baptism 

Baptism is how a Christian is united with Christ. 

See: The Holy Mystery of Baptism

Chrismation

Through Chrismation, a Christian is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

See: The Holy Mystery of Chrismation

Repentance

Commonly called “Confession,” the mystery of Repentance allows a Christian to know his or her sins are forgiven. 

See: The Holy Mystery of Repentance

Eucharist

Eucharist is the “Thanksgiving of God’s People,” the “Mystery of Mysteries,” “the Sacrament of Sacraments,” and “the New Covenant in Jesus’ Blood.” It is the participation of the Church in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. 

See: The Holy Mystery of Eucharist

Unction

The Mystery of Holy Unction is offered for the healing of soul and body and for the forgiveness of sins.

See: The Holy Mystery of Unction

Matrimony

Marriage is the Mystery through which the union of man and woman is sanctified by God.

See: The Holy Mystery of Matrimony (external link)

Holy Orders

The sacrament of Holy Orders is the objective guarantee of the perpetual presence of Christ with His people.

See: The Mystery of Holy Orders (external link)

 

About us

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 the Divine Liturgy 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 on weekends—but please take note of all signs regarding Loading Zones, No Standing and Disabled Parking—these restrictions apply and are enforced on weekends. Permit zones do not apply at the weekends.

Map showing directions to the Clayton Campus Religious Centre

Blog

The Cross We Venerate, the Cross We Carry, the Cross That Saves
Fr. Geoff Harvey
Fr. Geoff Harvey
March 15, 2026 11:00 AM
Fr. Geoff Harvey reflects on three dimensions of the cross: the cross we venerate as the sign of our salvation, the cross we carry in our daily lives, and the cross that saves through Christ's self-offering for the world. A timely encouragement for the Lenten journey, preached at The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church.
Faith in Action: St. Gregory Palamas and the Call to Lived Orthodoxy
Daniel McInnes
Daniel McInnes
March 8, 2026 11:00 AM
In this sermon for the Second Sunday of Lent, Daniel McInnes reflects on the feast of St. Gregory Palamas and the Gospel account of the paralysed man lowered through the roof by his four faithful friends. Drawing on the theological legacy of St. Gregory Palamas — including his defence of Hesychasm and the distinction between God's essence and energies — Daniel calls us to move beyond intellectual faith into a truly lived, embodied Christian life. A timely reflection for the Lenten season on what it means to act on what we believe. Preached at The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church, 8th March 2026.
More...
Get involved by visiting our Facebook Page
Follow us on X.
Follow us on Instagram
@TheGoodShepherdOrthodoxChurch
Sign up to receive a regular email newsletter from Fr. Geoff.