Feast of Saint Great Martyr Marina in Brussels and Curate of the Small Monktranslated
The feast of the Holy Glorious Great Martyr Marina was celebrated with particular splendor and spiritual joy in the homonymous Parish of Brussels, which is hosted in the Metropolitan Chapel, within the Metropolitan House and the offices of the Holy Metropolis of Belgium.
On the evening of Thursday, July 16, 2026, the eve of the Saint's feast day, there was the Mass of the Curate in Miniature of a young monk, of French origin, from the area of Verviers in the Province of Liège, who received the monastic name of Sophronios.
The Mass was performed by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Belgium and Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg Mr. Athenagoras, who, addressing the new monk and the faithful who came to pray together, underlined the deep importance of monastic dedication.
Among other things, he mentioned that the solitary haircut is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a life completely dedicated to Christ. He emphasized that the monk is called to cast off self-will, to live with humility, obedience, prayer and love and to make his whole life a continuous praise to God.
Referring to the new monk, he noted that the solitary…
