Fr Michael was born on 20 September 1944 in Serbia. In 1949 he migrated to Australia with his mother and brother, and after a short period in Bonegilla, settled in Melbourne. Fr Michael was educated at the University High School, Burwood Teachers' College, Melbourne and Victoria Universities and received degrees in Education, Administration, Theology, a Master's degree in Philosophy, and a PhD in History. From 1964 to 1989 Fr Michael was employed as a school teacher, and from 1977 onwards he was principal of a number of government schools. Ordained to the diaconate in 1972, Fr Michael continued to teach until he retired from the Teaching Service in 1989.

Ordained to the priesthood on 23 December 1975 by Archbishop Theodosy Putilin, Fr Michael was appointed parish priest in Geelong. On 1 February 1982 Fr Michael was transferred to Dandenong and commissioned to complete the building of the new church. In addition to his other duties, from 1975 to 1985, he was appointed responsible for the parish in Canberra, and also for Hobart, from 1975 to 1995 and again from 2001 onwards. In 1988 Fr Michael was appointed Dean of Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. During 1991 and 1992 Fr Michael was Administrator of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese.

Fr Michael is Deputy President of the Melbourne Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies and lectures in history and theology at Melbourne University.

Author of a number of historical monographs, including a comprehensive history of the Russian Orthodox community in Australia. Fr Michael is noted for his community work as Chairman of the Russian Welfare Society, Deputy Chair of the Federation of Russian Welfare Organisations in Australia and Chairperson of the South Eastern Region Migrant Resource Centre (Melbourne). Fr Michael is also a Justice of the Peace, a Member of the Australian Institute of Management, the Australian College of Education and a Bail Justice.

In 1991 Fr Michael was awarded the Order of Australia, "for services to the Russian community". In 1997, the Order of Friendship by Government of the Russian Federation, "For outstanding charitable work and initiatives in forming stronger ties of friendship, co-operation and cultural development, between the peoples of Russia and Australia."

In 2001, Fr Michael was presented the UN Volunteer Service Medal for Commitment to Humanitarian Causes, and in 2003 the Victorian Government Award for Excellence in Multicultural affairs. Back to Top