Archiepiscopal Divine Liturgy at the Parish of th…

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Archiepiscopal Divine Liturgy at the Parish of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian

Archiepiscopal Divine Liturgy at the Parish of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian in Oostende

On June 13, 2026, an Archiepiscopal Divine Liturgy was celebrated in our church, presided over by His Eminence Simon, Archbishop of Brussels and Belgium.

Archbishop Simon was co-served by the clergy of the Archdiocese of Brussels and Belgium: Archpriest Pavel Nedossekin, rector of the Church of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity; Archpriest Gennadi Katamashvili, rector of the Parish of the Holy Apostle John the Theologian; Priest Adriaan Alaoui, rector of the Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos; Priest Andrei Pope, rector of the Church of the Holy Righteous Anna; Priest Anatoli Babjuk, rector of the Church of the Holy Blessed Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky (Rotterdam, the Netherlands); Priest Klemens Samovarov, clergyman of the Church of the Nativity of Christ; Priest Georgi Starostin, clergyman of the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos; as well as Deacons Vladimir Gabernik, Vladimir Shitikov, Yaroslav Makal, Maksim Burla, Ilja Tomku, Daniil Dobrovinski, and the altar servers of the parish.

On this day the church welcomed numerous parishioners and guests who had come to share in the joy of communal prayer.

The Archbishop's Homily

After the Liturgy, Vladyka Simon addressed those gathered with a sermon. He shared his impressions of the recent pilgrimage to Georgia — an ancient Christian land — speaking of the holy sites visited, the warmth and heartfelt hospitality with which they were received everywhere, and the deep spiritual joy the journey had brought.

A special place in the Archbishop's words was given to the life of the Venerable Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze) — a Georgian ascetic who shone forth in holiness during the difficult years of the Soviet persecution of the Church. Vladyka also shared personal memories of how, in his younger years, he had visited the Church of the Holy Apostle John the Theologian in Saint Petersburg, which gave his words a particular warmth.

Turning to the image of the holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian — the heavenly patron of our parish, known as the apostle of love — Vladyka imparted to the faithful teachings on the Christian life: on patience, humility, and love for one's neighbour, as the Lord teaches us.

Gifts from Georgia

From the pilgrimage, Vladyka brought to our church an icon that had been placed upon the venerable relics of the Venerable Gabriel (Urgebadze) at the Samtavro Monastery in Mtskheta. All who wished were able to venerate the icon. At the conclusion of the service, His Eminence presented each person present with a blessed icon of the saint — as a remembrance of this grace-filled feast day.

Festive Meal

After the service, all those gathered were invited to a festive meal, during which the lively fellowship of parishioners and guests continued in the joy of brotherly unity.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

(John 13:34–35)