The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines
The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines is a jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, one of the most ancient Sees of the Christian Church. The Patriarchate of Antioch, where “the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26), is headquartered in Damascus, Syria.
The Archdiocese is a single ecclesiastical body that embraces several countries across the Pacific region. Its headquarters are located in Sydney, Australia, under the pastoral leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios, Archbishop of Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
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Structure and Presence
The Archdiocese oversees a growing network of parishes and missions:
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25 parishes and missions across Australia,
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8 parishes and missions in the Deanery of New Zealand,
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and a developing presence in other parts of the Pacific region.
Today, the Archdiocese ministers to approximately 37,500 faithful, united in worship, teaching, and the apostolic faith of the Orthodox Church.
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Monastic and Educational Life
Within the Archdiocese stands the Monastery of Saint Anna in Preston, Victoria — a women’s monastery dedicated to prayer and spiritual life.
The Archdiocese also founded the Melbourne Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies, a multi-jurisdictional theological institution committed to deepening understanding and cooperation among Orthodox Christians throughout Australasia.
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Inter-Orthodox Cooperation
The Antiochian Archdiocese is a founding member of the Eastern Hierarchs, an organisation uniting the Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions in the region (with the exception of the largest). Through this body, the Archdiocese works collaboratively with other Orthodox Churches to strengthen witness, unity, and pastoral care throughout Australasia.
The Archdiocese views this cooperation as a living expression of Christ’s commandment of love, working “for the love of God spreading throughout the whole Mystery of His Church.”
