Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, called on Orthodox Christians to deepen their faith and open their communities to the wider world during a festive Divine Liturgy in Brussels on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
The Metropolitan presided over the Divine Liturgy at the French-speaking Parish of Saints Silouan the Athonite and Martin of Tours in Saint-Gilles, Brussels, concelebrating with the parish priests, Father Laurent Van Damme and Father Georgios Lekkas, and other clergy.
In his sermon, Metropolitan Athenagoras reflected on the Gospel account of the miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1–11), focusing on Christ’s instruction to Simon Peter: “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
He emphasized that Christ’s words remain an invitation to every Christian and every ecclesiastical community to move beyond familiar boundaries and place their trust in God.
According to the Metropolitan, the Church must not be content merely with ensuring its own survival. Instead, it is called to cast its nets into the world and bear witness to the hope offered by Christ.
Metropolitan Athenagoras: A parish’s vitality is not measured by numbers
Referring to the particular mission of the French-speaking Orthodox parish in Brussels, Metropolitan Athenagoras highlighted its role in a city where different languages, cultures, beliefs and worldviews coexist.
He stressed that even a small Orthodox community can become a visible sign of God’s presence in such a diverse environment.
The vitality of a parish, he explained, is not measured primarily by the number of its members, but by its willingness to be transformed by Christ and to open its doors and hearts to others.
Drawing on the example of the Apostle Peter, the Metropolitan noted that every Christian is called to become a “fisher of men,” not to control or bind others, but to help them discover the depth of God’s love.
He also connected this evangelical calling with the spiritual example of Saint Silouan the Athonite, one of the parish’s patron saints.
Through his life of prayer, humility and silence on Mount Athos, Saint Silouan demonstrated that authentic Christian witness arises from love for all humanity.
Metropolitan Athenagoras emphasized that the saint’s call to pray for every person and the entire world remains particularly relevant at a time marked by wars, divisions and polarization.
He encouraged the parish to become a place where everyone can experience the peace of Christ: a modest but radiant light in the heart of Brussels, a place of prayer and encounter, and a community willing to respond continually to Christ’s invitation to venture into deeper waters.
Orthodox Theological Institute presents its educational plans
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Athenagoras thanked the parish priests for their pastoral ministry and expressed his appreciation to everyone contributing to the community’s development.
Archpriest Konstantinos Kenanidis, Director of the Apostle Paul Orthodox Theological Institute, subsequently presented the institute’s educational program and plans for further development in Brussels.
Through its French-language theological education, the institute aims to promote a deeper understanding of Orthodox theology and strengthen the presence of Orthodox tradition in Belgium.
The celebration concluded with a festive meal in the parish hall.
The Divine Liturgy was also concelebrated by Archimandrite Dimitrios Salonikidis, a teacher at the European School in Uccle; Archpriest Konstantinos Kenanidis; Archdeacon Panteleimon Bakalis; and Deacon Cristian Moisa of the Parish of Saint Phocas in Tournai. The parish choir provided the liturgical chanting.
