Romanian Orthodox Diocese advances construction of cultural and missionary centre in Melbourne

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand has announced it will continue construction of the St Dumitru Stăniloae Cultural and Missionary Centre, the episcopal chapel, and facilities for the Romanian school in Melbourne.

With support from Romania’s Department for Romanians Abroad, which provided funding of 2 million lei, the project is entering its third construction phase. Work will include the first floor and roof, cladding and decorative plasterwork, the access walkway, completion of the building’s exterior and structural elements, and installing windows and doors.

The project is being implemented at the Life-Giving Spring Monastery in Melbourne, which serves as the episcopal residence and is located in Harkness (Melton West), Victoria. The current phase runs from 1 April to 20 November 2026.

During the first phase in 2024, the team completed administrative procedures, prepared the site, and poured the concrete slab. The second phase, carried out in 2025, continued the structural and infrastructure work, including construction of the ground floor and the slab between the ground and first floors.

The only Romanian monastery in the Southern Hemisphere…