13-06-2026, Ostend

Archpastoral Divine Liturgy at the Parish of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist.

On June 13, 2026, the Archpastoral Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Parish of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist in Ostend. His Eminence Simon, Archbishop of Brussels and Belgium, celebrated the Divine Liturgy.
Archbishop Simon was assisted by clergy of the Archdiocese of Brussels and Belgium: Archpriest Pavel Nedosekin, rector of the Church of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity; Archpriest Gennady Katamasvili, rector of the Parish of St. John the Apostle; Priest Adrian Alaoui, rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God; Priest Andrei Pope, rector of the Church of St. Righteous Anna; Priest Anatoly Babyuk, rector of the Church of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky (Rotterdam, Netherlands); Priest Kliment Samovarov, cleric of the Church of the Nativity of Christ; Priest Georgy Starostin, cleric of the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos; as well as Deacons Vladimir Gabernik, Vladimir Shitikov, Yaroslav Makal, Maxim Burla, Ilya Tonku, Daniil Dobrovinsky, and the parish altar servers.

On this day, the church gathered numerous parishioners and guests who had come to share the joy of congregational prayer.

Following the Liturgy, Archbishop Simon addressed the congregation with a sermon. He shared his impressions of his recent pilgrimage to Georgia—an ancient Christian country—and spoke of the holy places he had visited, the warmth and cordiality with which they had been greeted everywhere, and the profound spiritual joy the trip had brought. A special place in the Archpastor's address was given to the story of St. Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze), a Georgian ascetic who shone during the difficult years of Soviet persecution of the Church. His Eminence also shared personal memories of visiting the Church of St. John the Theologian in St. Petersburg in his youth, which added a special warmth to his words.
Invoking the image of St. John the Theologian, the patron saint of our parish, known as the Apostle of Love, Archbishop Simon instructed his flock on the Christian life: patience, humility, and love for one's neighbor, as taught by the Lord.

From his pilgrimage, His Eminence brought to our church an icon venerated with the precious relics of St. Gabriel (Urgebadze) at Samtavro Monastery (Mtskheta). All who wished were able to venerate this sacred relic. At the conclusion of the service, Archbishop Simon presented each person present with a blessed icon of the saint—in memory of this blessed celebration.

Following the service, everyone was invited to a festive meal, during which the lively fellowship of parishioners and guests continued in the joy of fraternal unity.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
(John 13:34–35)