28-08-2025, Brussels

The newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Belgium paid a visit to the Archbishop of Brussels and Belgium Simon.

On August 28, on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Belgium D. V. Gonchar visited the Archbishop of Brussels and Belgium Simon at the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brussels.

During the meeting, the Archbishop showed the ambassador the church, told him about its history, the legal status of the Archdiocese, and acquainted him with the life of the parishes and the multilingual flock that considers itself part of the Russian Orthodox Church in Belgium.

In particular, the Archbishop noted that it is very significant that the Ambassador begins his service with a visit to the oldest Orthodox church in the kingdom, dedicated to the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. He also noted that for several decades now the Russian Archdiocese has maintained the most friendly and warm relations with the Russian Diplomatic Mission in Brussels and expressed hope that they will continue to be the same.

For his part, the ambassador assessed the role of the Church in the country, which, under the leadership of Archbishop Simon, carries out its spiritual and moral service to people.

Archpriest Pavel Nedosekin, Secretary of the Brussels-Belgian Diocese, was present at the meeting.