Draft:Fr. Michael Protopopov OAM

The Very Reverend Doctor Michael Protopopov OAM is the Dean of various Australian states in the ROCOR Diocese of Australia and New Zealand.

Birth and childhood
He was born in Serbia to a Russian family, his parents Alexei and Olga, people of Russian nobility. Unfortunately, his father was forcibly sent back to Siberia, leaving Olga and her two children (Michael and Nicholas).

In 1949, the family migrated to Australia, staying briefly in Bonegilla before settling down in Melbourne.

Education
Father Michael was educated at the University High School in Parkville, and following that studied at Burwood Teachers' College (now Victoria University) to become a primary school teacher. While working as a school teacher, Father Michael studied at Victoria University, graduating in 1980 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and Graduate Diploma in Educational Administration. The year after (1981), he achieved Bachelor of Theology at the Melbourne College of Divinity.

In 2002, he completed his Master of Philosophy and most recently in 2005, at ACU, graduated a PhD in History.

Career
After graduating from Burwood Teachers' College, he was employed as a school teacher up until 1977. Before that, in 1972, Archbishop Theodosius of Sydney ordained him to the diaconate, assigned to the Russian Orthodox Church in Geelong.

In 1975, Father Michael was ordained by Archbishop Putilin into the priesthood, becoming rector in Geelong, and also Hobart (he served in Hobart once every second month). In 1982, he was transferred to Dandenong, to commission the building of a new Church.

In 1988, he was appointed as Dean of Victoria, which in 1994 expanded to also include Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

Father Michael now teaches, lecturing History and Theology at Melbourne University and Church History at Sts Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Institute.

Awards
Father Michael Protopopov has received numerous awards, the Order of Australia Medal in 1991, Order of Friendship in 1997 and Orders of St Vladimir and St Anne. He was also awarded the UN Volunteer Service Medal and the Victorian Government Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs.

In 1991, Mitred Archpriest Michael Protopopov was awarded the right to wear the jewelled pectoral Cross.

Father Michael is also a Justice of the Peace (see more here).

Literature
Father Michael is an author of various books, including Church History and biographies of past bishops.

Family
Father Michael is a parent of three children and grandparent of four.