Minister of Religion

About the Macedonian Orthodox Church Diocese of Australia & New Zealand

The Macedonian Orthodox Church Diocese of Australia & New Zealand is the sole canonical jurisdiction of the Macedonian Orthodox Church across Australia and New Zealand, operating under the Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric. The Diocese is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) as a Basic Religious Charity and operates exclusively for religious and charitable purposes.

From its Diocesan Administrative Centre in Melbourne, the Diocese provides ecclesiastical oversight, pastoral leadership and clergy to Macedonian Orthodox parishes, monasteries and missions in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and New Zealand. Its work includes the celebration of the Holy Sacraments, religious and scriptural education, youth fellowship, Macedonian cultural preservation, community welfare and cross-parish benevolent relief, delivered in the Macedonian and Church Slavonic liturgical languages.

Position Overview

We are seeking an ordained and experienced Minister of Religion to provide liturgical, sacramental and pastoral ministry to the Macedonian Orthodox faithful under the canonical authority of the Diocesan Metropolitan / Bishop. The role involves conducting Divine Services, delivering sermons and religious instruction, performing sacraments and rites, providing pastoral care and counselling, and supporting the Diocese's community, youth and welfare programs, in accordance with the canons and traditions of the Macedonian Orthodox Church and Australian civil law.

Key Responsibilities

The primary duties of this role include:

• Preparing and conducting Divine Services and acknowledgments of faith, including the Divine Liturgy, Vespers, Matins, Holy Week and Pascha services, Great Feasts and patron saint days at the Diocesan Cathedral and affiliated parishes, and serving alongside the Diocesan Metropolitan / Bishop during Sunday Hierarchical Divine Liturgies and national archpastoral visits.

• Participating in the social, charitable and welfare activities of the Macedonian Orthodox community, including the Diocese's cross-parish benevolent relief programs, encouraging the faithful to be aware of their responsibilities to family, parish and wider society, and organising parishioner participation in community projects, fundraising, cultural festivals and multicultural and civic events.

• Conducting classes of religious instruction and catechism for children, youth and adults in line with the Diocese's standardised religious curricula, preparing catechumens for Holy Baptism and Chrismation, and supervising prayer and Bible study groups, youth fellowship, retreats and seminars that support the preservation of Macedonian Orthodox faith and heritage.

• Preparing and delivering sermons, homilies and special talks in Macedonian and English on the Holy Scriptures, the Church Fathers and feasts of the Church calendar, including addresses at commemorations, cultural events and Diocesan youth assemblies, and planning liturgical music and Byzantine chant with Diocesan choir coordinators and chanters.

• Conducting premarital instruction and counselling for couples preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, providing spiritual and family counselling, and referring people to professional service agencies such as mental health, family relationship and aged care services where their needs go beyond pastoral care.

• Performing marriages, baptisms, funerals, Trisagion and memorial services (Panakhida) and other sacraments and blessings according to Orthodox tradition, Diocesan marriage dispensations, canon law and the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) as an authorised minister of religion.

• Keeping accurate sacramental registers of baptisms, chrismations, marriages and funerals as required by the Church and civil law, lodging marriage documentation with the relevant Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, issuing certificates through the Diocese's online sacramental registers, and complying with Diocesan, ACNC and Child Safe Standards requirements.

• Visiting members of the community in their homes, hospitals, aged care facilities and other institutions to provide Holy Communion, prayer, religious comfort and advice to the sick, elderly, bereaved and isolated, and travelling to affiliated and regional parishes as directed by the Diocesan Metropolitan / Bishop to support clergy shortages.

Candidate Requirements

Education

• Bachelor degree or higher qualification

Experience

• Minimum 1 year of demonstrated experience in ordained parish ministry, including conducting services, performing sacraments and providing pastoral care.

Skills and Other Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of the Orthodox liturgical cycle, Holy Sacraments, Byzantine chant and canon law.

• Fluency in Macedonian and proficiency in Church Slavonic liturgical texts, with English communication skills sufficient to minister in a bilingual community.

• Strong public speaking skills for delivering sermons, homilies and religious instruction.

• Experience in pastoral counselling, religious education and youth ministry.

• Understanding of Macedonian culture and the spiritual needs of diaspora communities.

• Valid Working with Children Check (Victoria) and satisfactory police check, with a strong commitment to child safety and safeguarding.

• High standards of integrity, compassion, discretion and confidentiality.

• Ability to work independently and under the direction of Diocesan authorities, including on weekends, evenings and feast days.

Salary - $70,000 - $80,000 Plus super

Only eligible and short-listed applicants will be considered.