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Romanian bishop in Sydney: The Mother of God remains present among Christians

August 18, 2026 · 1 min read

“Although the Mother of God was humble throughout her life, she was not absent,” Romanian Orthodox Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand said on Saturday at the Saint Mary Romanian Orthodox Parish in Sydney, Australia.

“Just as the Ascension of the Lord did not mean, and did not remain, an absence from the midst of the Church, so too the passing of the Mother of God from this life into eternity did not result in an absence,” the bishop explained, recalling a verse from the troparion of the feast: “In giving birth, you preserved your virginity; in falling asleep, you did not forsake the world.”

She teaches us to do the will of the Lord Photo taken after the Divine Liturgy for the Dormition of the Theotokos celebrated on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at St. Mary’s Parish in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Diocese of Australia and New Zealand His Grace Bishop Mihail recalled that, at the request of His Mother, the Saviour Jesus Christ performed His first miracle at Cana of Galilee — before the time appointed from eternity for the beginning of His preaching. On that occasion, the Mother of God told those around her to do whatever He told them.

“And through these words, she also…

Source: Basilica News Agency (English) · Read the full story →

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Sofía López

Thanks for sharing this. I especially liked how the bishop remembered the words of the Virgin in Cana: “do what He tells you.” It's a simple and practical reminder for every day, like when I make cookies with my son and tell him to follow the recipe exactly. The photo of the liturgy in Sydney looks very cozy.

Людмила Комарова

Yes, these words from Cana always help out. When my son didn’t want to study before the exams last year, I just told him: “Do what He tells you,” and, to his surprise, he sat down to his textbooks. Simple advice, but it works. Thanks for reminding me.