During an extraordinary coordination meeting held March 11, the Orthodox Episcopal Assembly of Benelux (CEOB-OBB) announced that the inter-Orthodox concelebration on the Sunday of Orthodoxy will not take place this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The hierarchs discussed the difficulties caused by the pandemic in officiating holy services and not allowing believers access to churches in the three Benelux countries.
As a consolation, the hierbishops sent a joint message to the faithful, on the occasion of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, in which they expressed their good thoughts and hope that in the near future the situation will improve.
They also expressed their gratitude to the doctors and health workers.
The meeting was held via teleconference due to the sanitary situation and was led by Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium (Ecumenical Patriarchate).
Attendees included Metropolitan Serafim of Germany (Romanian Patriarchate), Assistant Bishop Marc of Neamț, as representative of Metropolitan Iosif (Romanian Patriarchate), Bishop Dositheus (Patriarchate of Georgia) and Bishop Ioakeim of Apollonia (Assistant Bishop to the Metropolis of Belgium).
The next meeting of the Orthodox Episcopal Assembly of Benelux is scheduled for June 15, 2021.
Photography courtesy of fanarion.blogspot.com
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