The feast of the Assumption of the Virgin in the parish of Houthalen in Belgiumtranslated

The great feast of the Dormition and Transfiguration of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated in the Holy Metropolis of Belgium and Exarchate of the Netherlands and Luxembourg with particular splendor and the appropriate ecclesiastical magnificence.

The focus of the devotional events for the "Mother of all people" was the Holy Dormition Church of the Virgin Houthalen, where on the day of the feast the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Belgium, Mr. Athenagoras, went to preside over the High Priestly Divine Liturgy.

His Eminence was flanked by clergy Fr. Antonios Tarlizos, Fr. Johannes Osseel and Fr. Nektarios Deeb, who serve in the neighboring parishes of the Holy Metropolis of Belgium.

At the end of the Orthro of the celebration, His Eminence awarded the office of Archimandrite to Hieromonk Father Adamantios Karfis, Priestly Head of the celebrating parish Houthalen.

During the Divine Sermon, His Holiness referred in a clear way to the person of the Most Holy Theotokos, analyzing her uninterrupted and living presence in people's lives. He particularly emphasized that, "while the falling asleep of a person causes grief to those close to him, the Church celebrates with joy the Falling asleep and Metastasis...