On Sunday, February 8, 2026, the Parish of Saint Amandus in Kortrijk celebrated its feast day in honor of Saint Amandus, Bishop of Maastricht.
The festive occasion brought together clergy and parishioners in an atmosphere of gratitude, prayer, and spiritual joy.
The solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium and Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Priests and deacons of the Metropolis concelebrated the liturgy. The presence of Archimandrite Romanos Kenanidis from the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki brought special joy. Protopresbyter Pius Pauwelyn, the former parish priest, was also present at the sacred choir.
During his sermon, the Metropolitan discussed the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which the Church presents in anticipation of the holy season of Great Lent. He emphasized that this parable is primarily about God’s infinite love and inexhaustible mercy and that God always goes out to meet man when he wishes to return to his Father’s house. The Metropolitan stressed that true repentance arises from humility and the desire to restore communion with God.
Furthermore, he highlighted the hopeful contemporary reality of young people coming to the Church, including those not raised in a Christian environment. He noted that in them, we recognize the subtle and wondrous work of the Holy Spirit, who continues to touch hearts and call people to life in Christ. He encouraged parishioners to persist in prayer and to love all who have temporarily strayed from ecclesiastical life.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Metropolitan thanked the faithful for their offerings and service to the parish’s welfare and spiritual progress. He also invited them to travel to Brussels for the celebration of Orthodoxy Sunday as a sign of unity and a testament to the Orthodox faith.
The feast concluded with a festive reception in the adjacent parish hall, allowing parish members to celebrate together joyfully and fraternally.
