The 100th anniversary of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s elevation to the patriarchal rank was a key topic at the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in Benelux (CEOB), held Wednesday, November 6, at the Ambiorix Center in Brussels.
Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium chaired the meeting, which included hierarchs from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Moscow Patriarchate, the Romanian Patriarchate, and the Patriarchate of Georgia.
Representing His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe was His Grace Bishop Marc of Neamț, Assistant Bishop to the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Western Europe.
During discussions, the hierarchs emphasized the importance of two significant anniversaries to be celebrated in 2025: the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate and the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. Participants agreed that both events would be marked properly.
In addition to these topics, administrative matters were addressed, including a recent CEOB delegation visit to Georgia and Pope Francis’s visit to Belgium in September.
The hierarchs also discussed the pilgrimage to the Island of Patmos (September 22-26), which was described as a true blessing.
“The pilgrimage was seen as a great blessing, a spiritual renewal, and an opportunity to strengthen spiritual and fraternal bonds among the participating hierarchs,” stated a CEOB press release.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2025.
Photo: orthodoxia.be
