On Sunday, 22 March 2026, the 4th Sunday of the Great Lent, the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Rotterdam became the place of a blessed and solemn gathering for the Great Concelebration of the Unity of Orthodoxy in the Netherlands. This sacred celebration offered a visible and moving testimony to the unity of Holy Orthodoxy, bringing together clergy and faithful from various Orthodox traditions present in the country.

Arrival at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas — the beginning of a blessed gathering.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras, Archbishop of Belgium and Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Concelebrating with him was His Grace Bishop Joachim, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Belgium. Also participating were priests representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarchate of Serbia, and the Patriarchate of Georgia, thus manifesting in a liturgical manner the communion of the Orthodox Church.

A particularly beautiful feature of the celebration was the participation of several choirs, which offered the sacred hymns of the Church in Greek, Romanian, Ukranian, and Dutch. This multilingual liturgical expression reflected both the rich diversity and the profound unity of Orthodoxy, as one faith was confessed and one prayer was lifted up in many tongues.

The celebration was further honoured by the presence of distinguished guests, among them Ms Katerina Ghini, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic; Dr Spyros Attas, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus; Mr Nicolae Comănescu, Ambassador of Romania; Mr Apostolos Michalopoulos, General Advisor, Embassy of Greece; Mr Anne Van Vorst, Head of the Orthodox Chaplains in the Dutch Ministry of Justice; Mr Zacharias Symeou, National Member for Cyprus, Eurojust; Mrs Amalia Bakaloni, National Member for Greece, Eurojust; and Captain HCG Efthymios Ath. Douvis, Maritime Attaché, Hellenic Republic.

The large number of faithful who came from parishes of different Patriarchates gave further witness to the living unity of Orthodoxy in the Netherlands. Their common presence in prayer during this sacred season of repentance and spiritual renewal revealed the ecclesial bond that transcends language, culture, and national origin.

Following the Divine Liturgy, an agape reception took place in the hall next to the cathedral. In an atmosphere of joy, fraternity, and hospitality, clergy, guests, and faithful had the opportunity to meet one another and continue the communion of the day beyond the liturgical celebration.

Particular gratitude is due to the many volunteers whose devoted and tireless efforts contributed decisively to the success of this important event. Through careful preparation, practical organisation, and generous hospitality, they welcomed and accommodated the many guests and ensured that the entire gathering unfolded in a dignified and harmonious manner. Their service was a genuine expression of Christian love in action and deserves heartfelt appreciation.

This great concelebration was more than a significant ecclesiastical event. It was a tangible witness that the Orthodox Church, though composed of many peoples and traditions, remains one in faith, one in sacramental life, and one in its common journey toward the radiant feast of Holy Pascha. In the midst of Great Lent, this gathering brought encouragement, spiritual joy, and renewed awareness of the unity and catholicity of Orthodoxy.

May the Lord bless all who took part in this sacred gathering, and may He grant that such moments of communion continue to strengthen the bonds of love, peace, and common witness among the Orthodox faithful in the Netherlands.