The Mission began in 2003 as a lay initiative by committed
Orthodox Christians, and is continually supported by those
who are zealous to bring the true universal, Orthodox Faith
to all.
The Mission is a fraternity, consisting of Orthodox clergy,
monastics and lay people. It is open to every person from
every nation and background - it is not ethno-specific.
The best gift we can give to our nation (and the world) is
the message of hope and salvation. This can only be achieved
by using the language and culture of the nation we find
ourselves in. Lest by adhering to a foreign language and
culture, we isolate people or shut them out of the Kingdom,
by imposing upon them the Faith in an incomprehensible
language.
... preaching cannot cease;
divine worship is fulfilled according to correct rite and in
an edifying manner;
iconography is uplifting and pious and the singing is sober,
simple and reverent.
The fulfilment of this is the responsibility of those who
serve.
It is necessary to speak out, not just in churches but also
in homes,
using every opportunity to describe the divine world,
and to expose the seduction of our soul by the illusions of
the mind and body.
[St Theophan the Recluse, The Path to Salvation]
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit
inaugurated the dawn of the New Covenant Church when all
heard and understood the mighty acts of God in their own
language and dialect. This imperative was set by God
himself.
Although they were known to be
unlearned, (the apostles) were made wise;
and as fishermen they preached divinely, and brought the
nations to the Faith.
for they heard them speaking in foreign languages, as the
Spirit inspired them.
Therefore, we cry out to you: Glory to you, O Lord,
who appeared on earth to save us from error.
[Aposticha Thursday of Pentecost, Vespers]
The vision of the Holy Cross Mission began when Archimandrite Lazarus came to Australia and lived in Melbourne with a young couple during 1976 – 1984.
It was during these years when Nazareth House was established. The services of the Church were conducted in the language of this nation - English, and presented in a non-ethno specific culture. The founding principles of the Mission were established and the visible expression of Australian Orthodoxy began then. To this small house, many came, Orthodox clergy, lay people, seekers inquirers and those needing the wisdom of our beloved monk.
These were difficult years because Orthodoxy presented to this nation in its own language was seen as being unacceptable. The seemingly immovable rock of a liturgical language centred on Church Greek, Church Slavonic and classical Church Arabic did not give any space for all Australians to comprehend the Faith of our Fathers in their own language and dialect. The message of salvation was sought more by the non-Orthodox – Pentecostals, Baptists, Church of Christ and even Roman Catholics. At great financial cost Nazareth House printed books / pamphlets / and small booklets containing the Church services and catechism lessons. The great missionary would always say, never despise the day of small beginnings, for you never know how big the mustard seed will grow.
Fr Lazarus is now regarded as one of the great missionaries and scholars of the 20th century. His translations of the Orthodox liturgical books (the Church Services, the Psalter and the Four Gospels), and other books such as The Ladder, Life of St Seraphim of Sarov, The Arena, as well as many other works, have opened the doors of the Church to countless people, not to mention all those in the household of the Faith.The work of Holy Cross Mission is a product of the pioneering efforts of Fr Lazarus in Australia who was adamant that the universal faith and all its services must be presented in the language and cultural setting of the nation it finds itself in.
The mustard seed sown by Fr Lazarus and the small young family has grown and the fruit is abundant stretching from Melbourne to Indonesia and beyond.
