In the city of Kortrik (province of West Flanders, Kingdom of Belgium), Archbishop Simon of Brussels and Belgium consecrated the newly opened Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This became possible after the consent of the city administration to allocate a temple building for the Russian community, built at the end of the XIX century.
The city hall has previously carried out major repairs in the temple and provided it to the Russian community for free rent. Now Orthodox compatriots have a place to gather for common prayer.
The city of Kortrik was founded in the 7th century by Roman settlers, at the same time the first Christian churches were built there.
Archbishop Simon thanked the city administration for this friendly gesture. Soon, a priest will be appointed to the newly consecrated church.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His Eminence was co-served by the clergy of the Brussels-Belgium Diocese. The liturgical hymns were performed by the diocesan youth choir under the direction of Regent Joanna Skrobovskaya.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Belgium A.A. Tokovinin and his wife attended the consecration celebrations.
Currently, there are eighteen churches and two monasteries in the diocese — the men's, where they pray in Flemish, and the women's, where services are performed in French.