The Belgian Metropolitanate ( Greek Μητρόπολη Βελγίου , Dutch Orthodox Aartsbisdom van België , Fr. Archevêché Orthodoxe de Belgique ) - the diocese of the Patriarchate of Constantinople with its center in Brussels , covering the territory of Belgium , the Netherlands and Luxembourg .
| Belgian Metropolis Greek Μητρόπολη Βελγίου | |
|---|---|
| Constantinople Orthodox Church | |
 Greek Church in Rotterdam | |
| General information | |
| A country | Belgium |
| Diocesan Center | Brussels |
| Founded by | 1969 |
| Control | |
| Ruling bishop | Metropolitan of Brussels, Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg Athenagoras (Pextadt) (since 2013 ) |
| Cathedral Church | Cathedral of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel (Brussels) |
| Statistics | |
| Parishes | 28 |
| Site | Website (French) (Greek) (n.) |
Diocesan Center - Brussels . Cathedral Church - Cathedral of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel (Brussels).
Content
History
On October 22, 1963, the Thyatira Archbishopric was divided into four parts, while Belgium and Luxembourg began to belong to the Gallic Metropolis , and the Netherlands to the German Metropolis [1] .
On August 12, 1969, Patriarch Athenagoras founded the “Archbishopric of Belgium and the Exarchate of the Netherlands and Luxembourg” with a chair in Brussels [2] .
In 1975, with the financial assistance of the Greek government and the Evangelical Church of Germany, as well as numerous benefactors, the building of Charbolaan 71 in Brussels was purchased in the name of the Patriarchate of Constantinople for the residence of the Archbishop [2] .
In 1985, Orthodoxy was recognized as the official religion in the Kingdom of Belgium, which opened the way to the media (airtime) and the teaching of religion in schools. On October 27, the Orthodox Cathedral was bought at Stalingradlaan in Brussels [2] .
In 1988, the representative of the Constantinople Patriarchate was recognized as the representative of all Orthodox jurisdictions in Belgium [2] .
In 1994, the first television and radio broadcasts of the Orthodox Church of Belgium appeared.
In 1995, the office of the Orthodox Church of the European Union was opened.
On November 17, 2015, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople led the consecration of the main building of the Belgian Metropolitanate in Brussels after overhaul [3] .
Current situation
The Greek Metropolitanate of Belgium currently includes 28 parishes. In Brussels, there is a representative office of the Patriarchate of Constantinople at the European Council [4] .
The ruling bishop is Metropolitan Athenagoras (Pextadt) (since 2013). The vicar bishop is Bishop of Troas Peter (Bozinis) (since 2015, at rest since 2017).
In 1989, a female Virgin Mary-Christmas monastery was founded in Asten .
Metropolitans
- Emilian (Zaharopoulos) (August 12, 1969 - December 14, 1982)
- Panteleimon (Kondoyannis) (December 23, 1982 - November 27, 2013)
- Athenagoras (Pextadt) (since November 27, 2013)
Notes
- ↑ ΕΤΟΣ 1964. Α. ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΝ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΕΙΟΝ , section "Μητροπολίτες στη διασπορά".
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 Nektarios Parochie Eindhoven
- ↑ Official site of the Belgian and Dutch dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church
- ↑ Synopsis on the History of Local Orthodox Churches - Orthodox Digital Library.
Links
- Official site of the Belgian Metropolis (fr.) (Greek) (n.)
- Story