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Is this only for Serbian Australians? Or do you wish to bring Orthodoxy to all Australians, regardless of their ethnicity? Why are their numbers decreasing? Could it be the ethnocentrism? The ghettoisation of the Church?
I would rather see something set up for all Australians, Serbian or not. I'll throw my support behind that, eventhough I'm not Australian. I've been to your country. You have a great country and I would love to see Orthodoxy spread there.
Ethnocentrism is not a problem but westernization is. Whole generations lost to philosophy that you should live life to the fullest enjoying all pleasures of this world. Just like USA, Australia is a post-Christian country. All public data shows that Christianity in general is disappearing in Australia.
While people who keep ties with their ethnic culture and traditions can retain some connections to the Church those who abandon all that become secularized to point where they are not Christian at all.
@Dalibor, no, ethnocentrism is a problem. When you cannot fathom in your mind why someone who is not Russian for example is Orthodox, it's a problem.
When one completely ignores someone once finding out they are not Russian, it's a problem,
when one does not obey the commandments of Christ and feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give alms to the poor, but rather focus on one's cultural tradition to the exclusion of everyone else, it's a problem.
You can try to blame the Big Bad West on all your problems, but trust me, ethnocentrism is a problem.
"I just wanted to get the Serbian community up and running as much as I can"
Don't make it about the Serbs. Make it about all Australians, including the non Orthodox, the disabled, the downtrodden, those struggling with the passions, the poor. Make it about them, and do it in love. Swing the doors of the Church wide open and let everyone know they are welcome. Go out into the streets on Pascha and proclaim Christ is risen!
I promise you, your churches will be filled to the brim.
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