Inauguration of the Church of Agia Skepi of the Most Holy Theotokos and Agios Loukas Simferoupolis in Boussoittranslated

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Belgium and Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Mr. Athenagoras, presided over the solemn consecration at the historic Church of Agia Skepi of the Most Holy Theotokos and Agios Luke of Symferoupolis in Boussoit. This event is an important milestone in the life of the Orthodox Ukrainian-speaking community of Hainaut and beyond, which for more than sixty years has gathered in this holy place for prayer, worship and spiritual guidance.

On Friday afternoon, His Holiness brought to the church the holy relics of Saint Andrew the Apostle Protocletos and Saint Martyr Justin the Philosopher to be deposited in the Holy Altar during the consecration ceremony.

During Vespers, the ordination of a reader of Mr. Sorin Farcaș, who was to be ordained a deacon the following day, was also performed. After the end of the service, a festive feast followed for the faithful.

The consecration of the temple

On Saturday morning, the main consecration ceremony began with the triple litany in procession around the temple and the reading of the apostolic and gospel passages. Then the holy relics were brought in…