The Belgian Defence Religious and Moral Assistance Services (SARM) took part once again in Belgium’s annual Veterans Day commemorations, organizing an interreligious ceremony dedicated to honoring military personnel who served abroad.
Held under the patronage of the King of Belgium, this year’s ceremony took place on April 28 at the Cathedral of the Holy Archangels, marking the first time the Orthodox cathedral hosted the event.
The gathering brought together representatives of Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican, Muslim, Buddhist, and secular moral assistance services, emphasizing unity and dialogue among Belgium’s religious and philosophical communities.
Among those present was Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, alongside senior military officials and diplomats. The ceremony was led by Archpriest Paweł Cecha and Father Filip Boone, a former Belgian army officer.
In his address, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken stressed the importance of spiritual and moral values within military service and reaffirmed Belgium’s support for Ukraine.
Metropolitan Athenagoras highlighted that peace requires constant commitment, dialogue, and cooperation beyond religious and cultural differences. Referring to Bartholomew I, he underlined the importance of collaboration among religions and worldviews, recalling Belgium’s national motto: “Unity makes strength.”
The ceremony concluded with the Orthodox rite of the Artoclasia, the chanting of “Memory Eternal” for the fallen, and the national anthems of Belgium and Ukraine.
Source: orthodoxia.be
