Orthodox parish Leuven - Chronicle-2008

Chronicle - 2008

February 24

On Sunday February 24, we had several significant events in our parish. First, Fr. Serge Model joined Miguel Demeter to the Orthodox Church. Since this day, brother Miguel became our parishioner.

Second, we had a pleasure to receive a special guest, a renowned Swiss scholar Christine Chaillot. After the Liturgy, by the blessing of archbishop Simon of Brussels and Belgium and by invitation of Fr.Serge Model, she gave a lecture entitled The Oriental Orthodox Churches. The lecture was in English with a Russian interpreting provided by Victor Yudin. Christine Chaillot is the founder and secretary of the Association"Dialogue between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christians". She is also the author of several books and articles dedicated to the history and spirituality of so-called Pre-Chalcedonian Churches, such as Coptic, Ethiopian, Syrian, Armenian, and Indian.

The pleasant surprise was that a large group of clergymen and laymen of the Ethiopian Church attended this event, including Bishop John, the head of diocese in Western Europe, who came by chance from Rome for the main fest of the Ethiopian parish in Brussels. The priest of the Coptic Church in Leuven, Fr.Lucas Al-Baramusi, also attended the lecture which, in fact, became a small symposium. After the main speech given by Christine Chaillot, the quests were asked about dogmatic, worship, and ritual life of their Churches. As an example, Ethiopian choristers performed several liturgical songs (including the Easter troparion) accompanied by playing the lyre as well as several songs (accompanied by traditional dances) these are analogues of the Western or Slavonic Christmas carols.

At parting, we gave them presents: copies of the icons of Holy Trinity (by St.Andrey Rublev) and The Mother of God of Vladimir, as well as several books in Dutch and French. Fr.Alexander Yavarouski thanked Christine Chaillot and guests for organising and visiting this symposium. In return, the Ethiopian bishop thanked us for the hearty welcome and expressed a hope of our future union in Eucharist.

February 28 - March 1

Bach Weekend 28-29th February -1st March. In Brughes Opera de Dunis organized the annual Bach Weekend. From our parish Andria Rogava participated this year. Through these excellent workshop non-professional choirs get to know baroque music under guidance of reknown professionals as Ignace Thevelein, Patrick and Sarah Peire en Ludo Claesen.

The event is concluded with a concert in the ancient Saint James’ Church in Brughes. The participants bring home vital choir experience.

March 2

On Sunday March 2, Fr.Alexander Yavarouski baptized Kilfmaryam, son of Johanes Berhane and Jiote Kashun.

After the Liturgy, a celebration of Maslenitsa and an all-prize lottery were held in the parish canteen. The lottery money will be spent for organization of the summer camp for Orthodox children.

March 8

In cooperation with KVG persons with a disability enjoyed an afternoon seminar on the Orthodox Church and Russia. While the Borsjt was cooking gently, Judith talked about our church and faith. She used puppets, showed pictures and icons. We made the sign of the cross, the orthodox way, and venerated the icon of the Theotokos. The participants had many spontaneous questions and remarks. Afterwards we decorated Byzantine crosses with beeds and paint. The Borsjt with Borodino bread was delicious. Suzie had stirred the cooking pots well with joy and lots of laughter! We had bubliki on a string for desert. Father Alexander welcomed us in the church. We celebrated Vespers in peace and friendship. After the service Father Alexander blessed the decorated crosses and gave each participant a small icon. Thank you for a wonderful day : Paul, Hilde, Jeroen, Gerrit, Arlette en Raoul, Sandra, Suzie, Maria, Mark, Riet en Paul! May God bless you!

March 23

On March 23, a small library was opened in our parish. The books are mainly in Russian, Dutch, French, and English. See details in "Library" section of the main menu.

Interview with Fr. Alexander Yavarouski appeared in the new issue of "Neskuchny sad" magazine (in Russian). Details >>

March 28-30

Fr. Alexander and many parishioners went on a pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Birth of the Theotokos(Asten, Netherlands) for the traditional Orthodox Youth Weekend.

April 6

On Sunday April 6 , sisters Minodora, Nimfodora, and Elena from St. Elizabeth nunnery in Minsk (Belorussia) brought us Orthodox books, DVDs, icons, etc.

April 20

Palm Sunday

April 27

April 27. EASTER. Christ is risen! – Indeed He is risen!

May 10

Fr. Alexander Yavarouski served a litia in the Leuven cemetery (Hoofdbegraafplaats), where 5 Russian soldiers have been buried between 1941 and 1944. Memory enternal!

May 11

Protodeacon Alexander Kurjatkin and Deacon Dimitry Yatsun co-celebrated the Liturgy with Fr. Alexander Yavarouski. After the sermon, Fr. Protodeacon gave a short talk about his recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land and presented small icons consecrated in Jerusalem. Since the Myrrh-bearing Women were memorized on this day (coinciding with the Mother Day by this year), Fr. Alexander Yavarouski presented a rose to each our female parishioner. By the same occasion, a picnic was held in the church garden.