The first thing that strikes most visitors to the Holy Protection Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, are the five shining golden domes that crown the structure. The domes signify the church is dedicated to Christ and the five domes represent Jesus Christ and the Four Evangelists, reflecting the church’s dedication to spread the teaching of the Gospel.
In October 2024, the church, which is nestled in the back streets of Brunswick East, was the focus of a series of cultural and social events to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Melbourne’s Russian Orthodox Community.
According to Rector, Archpriest Father Nicholas Karipoff, 72, while the community is small in Melbourne, the church organizes annual youth meetings to engage and inspire the next generation and connect with other communities around Australia.
“More than 40 Russian Orthodox communities in Australia meet annually, and the youth spend time together in five-day camp,” he said.
According to official records from the Victoria government, there are around 27,398 people of Russian descent or Russian-born residents in Victoria in 2024. The first wave of migration saw 104 people arrive between 1951 and 1960.
Since then the Cathedral has become a vital hub for preserving Russian religious and cultural traditions in Victoria. The construction of the church was made possible through the contribution of the volunteers and members of the parish who donated their time and money and took 17 years to complete from the time the foundations were laid in November 1989.

Ivan Bochkarev, 75, is the last remaining individual who physically helped build the church and is still alive.

Secretary of the Church Council, Nicholas Wirubov, 69, drives more than 30 kilometers from Ringwood to Brunswick East every weekend to pray. He came to Melbourne in 1957 from Morocco when he was three-years old.

The Rector, Archpriest Father Nicholas Karipoff, 72, came to Australia with his parents in 1961, when he was nine. He had no intention of becoming a priest when he was a teenager, but he is now happy in his role.

A parishioner preparing celebration’s for the church’s 75th anniversary.

Lubov Cowall, the head of sisterhood, planning the arrangement of plates and other utensils.

Russian Orthodox Church is located in Albion Street, Brunswick East. The golden-colored domes represent dedication to Christ and the Four Evangelists.

Since ancient times believers entering the church must kiss the cross located near the altar before placing their candles in the Kandilo, a standing candle holder.

One of the priests walks through the church, filling the space with fragrant smoke. The smoke comes from a special resin burned in Kandilo.

The activity of putting candle in a Kandilo, a standing candle holder, is an act of offering that has been preserved since ancient times.

People line up to receive the slice of blessed bread called prosphora, which means an offering. The top of each loaf is stamped with a seal that includes a cross and the letters IC-XC NI-KA means “Jesus Christ conquers”.

At the end of Divine Liturgy, people still stay to hear the closing prayer.