With great splendour and with the magnificence befitting the “Lady of Angels”, the feast of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos was celebrated in all the Parishes and Monasteries of the Holy Metropolis of Belgium and the Exarchate of the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
The focal point of the devotional events of the “Maiden Feast” was the Holy Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Houthalen, to which Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium travelled on the day of the feast, in order to preside over the Archieratical Liturgy and offer the Holy Communion.
In his sermon, Metropolitan Athenagoras spoke eloquently about the all-pure and sweet person of the Holy Theotokos, analysing Her unceasing, eternal and perpetual presence in the life of people.
The Divine Liturgy was co-officiated by Metropolitan Athenagoras, the Priestly Superior of the Cathedral, Protopresbyter Fr. Diomedes Doulgerakis and clergy from the neighbouring parishes of the Province of Limburg, while the Holy Hymns were performed by a wonderful choir of cantors under the direction of Fr. Antonios Tarlizos, professor of the School of Byzantine Music of the Holy Metropolis.
At the end, Metropolitan Athenagoras thanked the priests, the chanters and the pious people who came to honour the Mother of God, wishing that Our Lady abundantly grants Her grace and blessing to all the people throughout the world and especially to those who, bearing Her name, celebrate their name day on this great feast of Orthodoxy.
Bishop Joachim of Apollonias presided over the Archieratical Liturgy in the celebratory Holy Church of the Assumption of the Theotokos in Verviers, Belgium.
