Definitive recognition of the Orthodox Organization of Spiritual Ministry in Dutch Prisonstranslated

Historic signature at the Ministry of Justice and Security

On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, a particularly important event for the Orthodox Church in the Netherlands took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands, in The Hague. During an official ceremony, the agreement was signed for the definitive recognition of the Orthodox Mission Organization (OZI) as an officially recognized organization by the Ministry of Justice and Security.

This signing concludes a long period of consultation and institutional organization. With this recognition, the Orthodox pastoral ministry in Dutch prisons now acquires a permanent and equal status alongside the spiritual support services of the other recognized religious and philosophical traditions.

On behalf of the Dutch Authorities, the agreement was signed by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Security, Mrs. Claudia van Bruggen. On behalf of the two Orthodox ecclesiastical families that cooperate within the framework of OZI, His Eminence the Metropolitan of Belgium Mr. Athenagoras, Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg and head of the legal entity of the Orthodox Church in the Netherlands (OKIN), and His Eminence the Archbishop...