The Orthodox Church in Belgium is growing strongly, especially due to the many newcomers from Eastern Europe. There are 80 Orthodox parishes in our country, served by 100 clergy. There are Greek-speaking parishes, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Georgian, Ukrainian, but also parishes where celebrations are held in Dutch, French or German.
The Flemish Metropolitan is the head of the Orthodox Church in Belgium Athenagoras Peckstadt. He is archbishop of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in our country.
Easter date
Easter falls on a different day for Orthodox Christians than for Catholics and Protestants. This is partly because the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar and not our Gregorian calendar. But also because Orthodox Easter must always fall after the Jewish Passover, a condition that the other Christian churches have abandoned.
The difference in the date of Easter is not the same every year. For example, Orthodox and Catholic Easter will coincide next year.
Liturgy
The Orthodox Easter liturgy is a real experience. The celebration starts just before midnight with a procession around the church. All worshipers carry candles that are lit from the main celebrant’s candle. The resurrection from the grave is actualized and truly experienced when, after reading the Gospel of the Resurrection, the main celebrant exclaims ‘Christ is risen’. The faithful answer with a loud voice: ‘He is truly risen!’ During the rest of the night service, this exclamation is repeated over the many hymns.
Join in the celebration
You can experience an Orthodox Easter celebration at these places.
- Brussels: including in the Orthodox Cathedral, Stalingradlaan 34, on Saturday, May 4 at 10 p.m.
- Ghent: Church of the Holy Apostle Andrew, Sophie van Akenstraat 17, on Saturday, May 4 at 10 p.m.
- Bruges: church of the HH. Konstantin & Helena, Ezelstraat 85, on Saturday May 4 at 10 p.m
- Discover other places
Source: Orthodox Archdiocese
