The provision in the constitutional drafts which attracted the strongest public support at the time of federation was the provision that the Constitution was made “ Humbly relying on the Blessings of Almighty God”
With the emergence of republicanism among some of the clergy, even among some anglican clergy who had sworn an oath of allegiance , it was encouraging to see the following pledge of loyalty to the Crown:
THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND DIOCESE OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OUTSIDE OF RUSSIA
25 March 2005
Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia Government House Canberra, ACT 2600
Your Excellency,
The 14th Diocesan Conference of the clergy and laity of the Russian Orthodox Church (Abroad) in Australia and New Zealand, under the chairmanship of His Grace, the Most Reverend Archbishop Hilarion, sends greetings to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and wishes to affirm its loyalty and respect to our Sovereign Lady on behalf of the Church and the Russian community in general.
The Diocesan Conference prays for Her Majesty’s well being and that of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Yours sincerely, Archpriest Gabriel Makarov, Deputy Chair of the Diocesan Assembly"
The republicans assumed during the referendum that those who came from immigrant communities would support the republic.
They did not.
We congratulate His Grace and the Diocesan Assembly on their loyalty to our Sovereign
Until next time,
David Flint