Chronicle - 2009
February 1
This winter, there is no central heating at the church. Handheld gas heaters are used but very often temperature is about 0 degrees centigrade.
February 5
February 5, Thursday. We are officially recognized as a parish by the Flemish government. Long administrative procedure is thus finished.
February 6-8
Trip to Chevetogne abbey.
March 21
On March 21, there was the ordination of a new priest, Hildo Bos, at St Nicholas of Myra Russia Orthodox Church in Amsterdam. Among the many guests at the service was Fr.Alexander Yavarouski, the priest of our parish.
March 29
On March 29, after the Divine Liturgy Victor Yudin gave a cathchism on the topic: Structure of the Great Lent.
May 3
On May 3, the Myrrh-bearing Women were memorized, and Fr. Alexander Yavarouski presented a white rose to each our female parishioner. By the same occasion, a picnic was held in the church garden.
July 25 - August 1
From 25 July to 1 August, the annual Orthodox Summer Camp was held at the campsite “De Abbert” near Dronten in The Netherlands. This annual event is traditionally organized by the Orthodox Youth Fellowships in The Netherlands (OJN) and Belgium (OJB-JOB).
The camp counted 60 participants (including several children of our parish) and 20 staff (including Stefanie Osseel as a probationer). The head of the camp was Elisabeth van Duijn-Bruning. The pastoral team consisted of Fr. Alexander Yavarouski, Fr. Hildo Bos (Amsterdam) and Deacon Dimitry Yatsun (Antwerp).
The theme of the camp was “The Desert Fathers.” Throughout the week, catechism, drama, sports and games focused on the world and tradition of the abba’s and amma’s of the early monastic tradition. Central topics were silence, prayer and the observance of the evangelic commandments.
Every days started and closed with prayer in the church tent. In addition, Divine Liturgies were celebrated twice, with children doing all the singing and reading. The final Liturgy on July 31 was presided by Archbishop Simon of The Hague and the Netherlands, continuing a tradition according to which the hierarchs blessing the camp also serve Liturgy there.
Another special guest was Mother Maria, hegoumena of the Monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Asten. Together with sister Macrina and sister Andrea, Mother Maria answered scores of questions on monastic life during a catechism session that was an unforgettable occasion for the children.
www.archiepiskopia.be
October 10
October the 10th was the 10th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Fr. Alexander Yavarouski, the dean of our parish. Our greetings!
October 16-18
This year the "Orthodox Youth of Belgium" (OJB-JOB) celebrated the 30th anniversary of its organization. The jubilee Gathering took place from 16 till 18 October in 'De Kluis', Sint-Joris-Weert (near Leuven).
The theme was "Keep thy mind in hell, and despair not", a significant sentence of St Silouan the Athonite. The meeting was opened by His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Sinope, who gave an introduction and read a message of His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Belgium (Patriarchate of Constantinople).
Some 70 young persons from Belgium and abroad - belonging to different jurisdictions - took part at the gathering. Fr. Alexander Yavarouski and several our parishioners also took part in this event.
Web-siteof the Orthodox Youth of Belgium
November 8
To the forthcoming Parish fest, archimandrite Thomas (Jacobs) presented to us parts of the relics of St Apostle Matthew, St righteous Ann, and St great martyr Barbara. On November the 8th, the holy relics were for the first time venerated in our church.
November 14
On Saturday November the 14th, our parish celebrated its main feast - the day of St. Apostle and Evangelist Matthew. By tradition, the Divine Liturgy was presided by Mgr Simon, archbishop of Brussels and Belgium. Many priests and deacons from other Orthodox parishes of Belgium and The Netherlands concelebrated to him.
After the service Fr. Alexander Yavarouski, the dean of our parish, received many presents on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of his priestly ordination. As usual, the parish fest was complemented by a meal and a little concert prepared by the parishioners.
November 21
On November the 21st, Victor Yudin, reader of our parish, participated in a seminar organized by the deacons of the Catholic community of Vlaams-Brabant. He gave a presentation on Theology of the Orthodox church and its services. He also answered numerous questions. This event took place in the Benedictian monastary Keizerzberg, Leuven.
November 30 - December 4
Fr. Alexander Yavarouski visited Kazan (Russia) where participated in a seminar for leaders of church summer camps. Fr. Hildo Bos (St. Nicholas of Myra parish in Amsterdam) also participated in this event. Both priests consist the pastoral team of the camp traditionally organized by the Orthodox Youth Fellowships in The Netherlands (OJN) and Belgium (OJB-JOB).
December 6
On Saturday December the 6th, the All-night Vigil was celebrated for the first time in our parish. Greetings to the choir which has spent a lot of time for preparations!
December 13
On Sunday, December the 13th, between 10 and 11 a.m. the Belgian television (VRT channel) showed a direct broadcast from the St Apostle and Evangelist Matthew Orthodox Parish in Leuven. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the rector Fr. Alexander Yavarouski and Deacon Dimitry Yatsun, and was commented by Bishop Athenagoras of Sinope (Patriarchate of Constantinople). After the Liturgy, His Grace thanked numerous parishioners and guests for their participation in this special service and for revealing by this way the Orthodox faith to the Belgian society.
December 18
On December the 18th the funeral of our parishioner Ekaterina Voronkina took place in Aarschot.
December 19
On Saturday December the 19th, St. Nicholas of Myra parish in Amsterdam celebrated its main feast as well as its 35th anniversary. The Divine Liturgy was presided by Metropolite Philaret of Minsk and Byelorussia, and archbishop Simon of Brussels and Belgium. Many priests and deacons from Orthodox parishes of Belgium and The Netherlands, including our rector Fr. Alexander Yavarouski, concelebrated to them.
December 25
Christmas.
