Brussels, September 11, 2025
orthodox.pl
The Polish Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Brussels held a significant celebration last weekend, marking its 10th anniversary, patronal feast, and the consecration of a new altar. The church was filled to capacity with faithful for the occasion.
The parish celebrates its patronal feast on the Sunday nearest to September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God. On the occasion of the anniversary Liturgy, Met. Athenagoras consecrated the altar, assisted by Bishop Joachim of Apollonia and numerous clergy members, the Polish Orthodox Church reports.
For their service to the Church and parish community, the Order of St. Mary Magdalene was awarded to Matushka Marta Cecha and several parishioners.
orthodox.pl
Following the church service, a festive picnic brought together the Belgian Polish community. Besides refreshments, Polish businesses and organizations presented their services and products, while children enjoyed a specially prepared playground.
***
The parish was established on February 8, 2015, when the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Chapel of Europe for the newly formed community. Founded by Polish Orthodox emigrants who wished to remain under the care of the Polish Orthodox Church, the parish operates under a unique arrangement between the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Polish Church. While administratively belonging to Constantinople’s Metropolis of Belgium and Exarchate of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, the priest is appointed by the Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland and remains a cleric of the Polish Church.
Fr. Paweł Cecha has served as the parish priest since its founding.
orthodox.pl
In 2016, the community acquired a former Roman Catholic church dedicated to St. Gerard in Anderlecht, where Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium celebrated the first Divine Liturgy on February 14 of that year.
Sunday Liturgies regularly gather about one hundred faithful, with services conducted in Church Slavonic, Polish, French, and Dutch.
Since the beginning of Great Lent 2024, intensive renovation work has been underway, including roof repairs over the altar and sacristy, wall restoration, installation of new insulated flooring in the altar, and construction of the new altar. Most of the work was completed by local parishioners as volunteers. Iconographic work in the presbytery will begin soon, and if finances permit, renovation of the main nave and conversion of the balcony into a parish hall are planned.
The parish notes that maintenance and renovation costs are substantial. Those wishing to support further work can contribute through bank transfer:
PLN account: 41 1140 2004 0000 3202 5528 9850
Euro account: BE66363202604243
Or make an online donation on 4fund.com.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
