Metropolitan of Belgium: The Church must not limit itself to survival but bear witness to hope

Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, called on Orthodox Christians to deepen their faith and open their communities to the wider world during a festive Divine Liturgy in Brussels on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

The Metropolitan presided over the Divine Liturgy at the French-speaking Parish of Saints Silouan the Athonite and Martin of Tours in Saint-Gilles, Brussels, concelebrating with the parish priests, Father Laurent Van Damme and Father Georgios Lekkas, and other clergy.

In his sermon, Metropolitan Athenagoras reflected on the Gospel account of the miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1–11), focusing on Christ’s instruction to Simon Peter: “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

He emphasized that Christ’s words remain an invitation to every Christian and every ecclesiastical community to move beyond familiar boundaries and place their trust in God.

According to the Metropolitan, the Church must not be content merely with ensuring its own survival. Instead, it is called to cast its nets into the world and bear witness to the hope offered by Christ.

Metropolitan Athenagoras: A parish’s vitality is not measured…