Creation of Parish at the Temple
Archpriest:Leonid Grilikhes
Born in Moscow on April 9, 1961.
Higher education: graduated from the Moscow Civil Engineering Institute and the Moscow Theological Academy.
In 1985-1986, he attended A. Yu. Militarev's seminar on comparative linguistics of the Afroasian languages at the Faculty of Philology of Moscow State University.
From 1986 to 1991 he worked at the State Public Historical Library of the RSFSR as a senior editor of the foreign acquisition department.
February 17, 1991 - ordained a deacon. On March 3, 1991, he was ordained a priest.
From 1992 to 2012, he was rector of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, reopened after 50 years of inactivity, in the village of Ostrov, Moscow Region.
Since 1994 he has been teaching Hebrew, Aramaic and Syriac at PSTGU. Since 1997 he has been teaching at the Moscow Theological Academy, where he teaches a course on the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament and a course on the Hebrew language. Since 1998, he has been teaching the seminar "Language of the Bible" at the Department of Comparative and Historical Linguistics of Moscow State University. Lomonosov.
By the Patriarchal Decree of February 8, 2004, he was appointed head of the Department of Biblical Studies of the MTA.
Member of the editorial board and author of a number of articles in the yearbook of the Moscow Patriarchate "Theological Works", the MDA journal "Theological Bulletin" and the Orthodox Encyclopedia. Member of the Synodal Theological Commission of
the Russian Orthodox Church On August 29, 2012, with a patriarchal blessing, he was transferred to the Western European Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, where he serves in the Memorial Church in Brussels.
Author of six monographs and a large number of articles on biblical studies and Semitic languages.
Priest :Vasily Orekhov
Born on December 17, 1962 in Brussels. The son of Dimitri Vasilyevich Orekhov and Tatyana Kuzminichna Orekhova (nee Skvortsova), the grandson of the members of the Russian General Military Union (ROVS-a) - Captain Vasily Vasilyevich Orekhov, publisher of the "Hour" magazine, and Kuzma Vasilyevich Skvortsov, an active figure in the "Orthodox Cause".
Nephew (by father) of public figure Gleb Aleksandrovich Rar.
Baptized by Archpriest Chedomir (Ostoich).
After completing his studies in the field of kinesitherapy, as well as clinical nursing, he served in a psychiatric hospital for almost 15 years.
Then he entered a large old people's home, where, in addition to caring for the elderly, he bears various responsibilities.
He is married and has three sons.
He is a graduate of the correspondence department of the theological faculty of the St. Sergius Orthodox Institute in Paris (St. Sergius Compound).
On May 19, 1991, Archbishop Anthony (Bartoshevich) of Geneva and Western Europe was ordained reader in the memorial church in Brussels.
On December 5, 1999, he was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Sergius (Konovalov) of Evkarpia at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Paris.
It is under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). attributed to the memorial church of St. Job in Brussels.
On January 5, 2014, at the Memorial Church at the Sunday Liturgy, Archbishop Michael, Diocesan Bishop of the ROCOR Diocese of Geneva and Western Europe, ordained Deacon Vasily Orekhov to the priesthood.
Parish Life - Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage to the city of Gerpin to the tomb of St. The Rolands (March 22, 2014)
Life of Saint Rolanda († 778)
Saint Rolanda (Rolanda) was the youngest daughter of Anza and Didier, the Lombard king who fought against the Pope and was defeated by Charlemagne. While the other daughters of these spouses were already either married or nuns, Rolanda followed her parents, who were exiled to Liege. There they were entrusted to the care of Bishop Agelfrid, who received them not only with all honors, but also with fatherly love, as Charlemagne wished.
However, Didier did not like this golden cage and he asked permission to become a monk in Corby (Picardy). Having received it, he went there, accompanied by his wife and daughter, who settled in the vicinity of the monastery until the death of Didier, which followed in 777.
But Rolanda could not remain unnoticed. The beauty, nobility and undoubted virtues of this "debunked princess" attracted the highest nobility to her. One Scottish prince wanted to take her as his wife and asked her parents for her hand in marriage. Didier and Anza, worried about the future of their daughter, persuaded her to accept the proposal, but Rolanda from childhood wanted to devote herself to God. As soon as Didier died, she, with the permission of her mother, eluded the Scottish courtiers who came for her, and became that "runaway princess", which, later, chronicles and folk songs immortalized. She sought to get to Cologne in order to enter the monastery of St. Ursula, since during her stay in Liege she met and appreciated the zeal of the nuns of this order. Anza accompanied her daughter and they stopped for a while at the Lobb, where one of Roland's uncles lived. Anza,
Troparion tone 1
Reverend mother Rolando, red bride of Christ
You know the weight of this deplorable vale.
Bow the knee before your relics,
We pray to the virgin of Zherpinskaya,
Heal our bodies and souls.
May we be honored by your
prayers and we will please God.
Kontakion tone 4
Near the shrine of the venerable one, according to her prayers , countless
miracles performed
Every day, we are witnessed by the fact that
Rolanda from heavenly tabernacles,
Where she abides with the Eternal Bridegroom,
sends her blessings to us.
Pilgrimage to Saint Gertrude of Nivelles (October 26, 2013 )
Mrs. Françoise Lhoest (one of the organizers of the project with Archpriest Leonid ) told the story of the city of Nivelles and its Cathedral, the pilgrims then listened to subdeacon
J. Hamblenne, author of the book Saints in Belgium in the first millennium "Saints et Saintes de Belgique au premier millénaire", about the life of the Saint Gertrude.
Father Leonid served a prayer service.
Beautiful sunny weather made it possible to have a picnic in the park of the palace in Gaasbeek.
Watch the video here.
Pilgrimage to the relics of St. Renelda (October 25, 2014)
In the 7th century, the Huns appeared in our area, setting fire to houses, sowing terror and ruin everywhere. People, leaving all their possessions, took to flight. Reverend Renelda did not want to leave the place of her exploit. Deepening her prayers, she said to those who begged her to flee: “ If I refuse to lose this mortal life for the sake of the One who deigned to suffer for the salvation of mine and the whole world, then what will He say to me, sitting on the throne of His Majesty, when He will judge the living and the dead, if I refuse to lose my mortal and so short life because of the love of Him? Without changing anything in her way of monastic life, alone with her two devoted servant-ascetics, Grimoald and Gondulf, the saint continued to pray even more fervently before the altar of the holy martyr Quentin, so that she too might be vouchsafed a martyr's crown for Christ.
Then the barbarian Huns, like savage beasts, broke into the temple, seized the Monk Renelda by the hair, dragged her, beat her with sticks, whipped her, mocking her with a hail of curses. She, enduring all this violence, prayed with tears of joy, saying: “ I thank Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, that You have taken me among Your servants. Take my spirit." And then she stretched out her neck and was beheaded. Thus she gave her spirit to the Heavenly Father and received the crown of a martyr. This happened on July 16, 680. As for her associates, the subdeacon Grimoald was beheaded, and Gondulf died: his tormentors drove three nails into his skull. When the danger from the Huns had passed, the inhabitants of Sent, returning to their lands, found the unburied bodies of the saints and buried them in the temple on August 13, 680. The
Lord, wanting to show what great glory Renelda acquired in heaven and how He glorified His martyr, showed many miracles in the place of her burial: the blind received their sight, the paralyzed walked, and many people with skin diseases were miraculously healed.
Many years later, a nunnery was established near Sant. The community of sisters lived in virginity and in constant prayer, helping the poor with the labor of their hands.
Reverend Mother Reneldo, pray to God for us!
Tropar tone 4 Having
distributed earthly possessions and taking tonsure,
Thou rushed to the Lord Jesus,
Hearing the word of salvation in your heart
flesh with a strict feat through all your life,
Having done justice in fidelity to your Teacher Christ,
Thou suffered courageously,
Noble and glorious martyr Reneldowho
mourn,
Pray to God for us, may he grant us great mercy.
Kontakion tone 4
You were a pilgrim in Jerusalem, And after seven years you returned to Sent, You did good work diligently for Christ's sake, Praying, fasting, helping the poor,
Intercessor of the city of Sent, you received the gift of healing from the Lord,and you shone with miracles. For the glory of Christ , you stood against the fierce Huns And, pouring out your blood, you were awarded the crown of martyrs, Glorious Reverend Martyr Reneldo,
Interlocutor of angels, Pray for the salvation of our souls!
Prayer of Reverend Renelda
O Reverend Martyr Reneldo, Chosen One of God, pray for us to the All-Merciful God may grant us with Your holy prayers to imitate as if by a might Your exemplary fidelity. O virgin and martyr for Christ's sake, show us the way to eternal life. Reverend mother Reneldo, who fought a good deed, teach us to stand firm in the ordeals of this temporary life. Virgin and martyr of Christ, instill in us courage and love. Rev.Reneldo, wise virgin, with a lit lamp implore the All-Merciful Lord for us sinners , may we stand unwaveringly in the confession of the Orthodox faith of our fathers. Oh, virgin and martyr of the Lord for the sake of Enlighten our hearts on the land of the living. Reverend Reneldo, the image of virtues and love, let us pray according to your example, let us create a path in the world to the Kingdom of heaven of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
Pilgrimage to the relics of Reverend Beggi (April 25 , 2015 )
Orthodox parishioners from Brussels and Namur on Saturday, April 25, made a pilgrimage to the Walloon city of Anden, where they venerated the relics of the Venerable Begga, a Belgian saint of the 7th century, who founded the monastery around which the city later grew.
The relics rest in the city cathedral, built at the end of the 18th century. on the site of the seven churches erected by St. Begga and consecrated in her honor. In the temple, the organizers of the trip - the author of a book about the Belgian saints Jean Hamblen (Jean Hamblene) and the translator of the life, philologist Françoise Lhoest - told the pilgrims about the life of the saint.
First, a prayer service at the shrine with relics was served in Romanian by Father Ciprian (Ciprian Grădinaru) - rector of the temple of the Romanian monastery of the Intercession of the Virgin (La protection de la Mkre de Dieu). Then his parishioners joined the prayer service served by Father Leonid.
The pilgrims venerated a piece of the saint's skull, kept in a reliquary, and then venerated the shrine with her relics. The children were able to crawl between the coffin and the marble slab located on top, taking advantage of the fact that two supports were specially removed in the fence in front of the shrine. This was done, among other things, because of the special veneration of the saint by Belgian parents. As the organizers of the trip explained to the pilgrims, they turn to St. Begge when children are ill, and after healing, toys, photographs and children's things are left to the holy helper as a token of gratitude. “Many Walloon children take their first steps on the tomb of the reverend,” said Jean Amblen.
Near the cathedral is the source of St. Beggi, with water from which the travelers washed themselves, and some took with them. Near the source, the pilgrims sang an akathist to the saint before heading home.
Author - Vladimir Dobrovolsky.
Sunday School - School
In September 2013, a Sunday school for children was opened at our church. In the classroom, the children learn the basics of the Orthodox faith, the rules of conduct in the temple, the traditions of holding Orthodox holidays, and also get acquainted with some elements of holding Orthodox worship.
Classes at the school are held on Saturdays from 17:00 to 18:00, which gives parents the opportunity to safely participate in the all-night vigil at this time.
Today the school has about 30 students. Children are engaged in two age groups - from 3 to 5 and from 6 to 9 years. Older children watch thematic videos during the lessons, which contributes to a deeper perception of the material being studied. Usually, classes with older children end with the creation of a holistic work of art on the topic of the material being studied (collage, paintings, etc.). All students participate in this work.
Kids in their lessons draw a lot, sculpt, make applications, play, and also learn poems and songs. In other words, the topics of classes in the younger group are fully consistent with the age of the students. In the classroom, we try to create an atmosphere of mutual understanding, support and love, because the goal of any Sunday school is to lead a person to God.
In a fairly short time (about three months), our school has already accumulated a large number of creative works, in connection with which an exhibition is planned.
In addition, preparations for the celebration of the holy feast of the Nativity of Christ are currently in full swing. Our school plans to hold a performance, a concert and an exhibition. All children take part in the preparation of these events.
Creation of Parish at the Temple
Father Feofan , Father Luka , Father Chedomir
Before the opening of the meeting, Vladyka Anthony briefly outlined the history of the creation of the Temple and its consecration on September 18, October 1, 1950, and pointed out that hegumen Luka (Radionov) , hieromonkFeofan (Shishmanov ) and a priest, later Archpriest Chedomir (Ostoich) .
Father Chedomir
Father Chedomir , a Serbian priest, came to Brussels in 1950. Having learned in Serbia that they were going to arrest him, father Chedomir, leaving his family at home, his mother and two daughters, crossed the mountains at night to Austria. He first lived and served in the Temple-Monument until 1959.
In 1952, Archbishop John (Maximovich) arrived and was appointed the first rector of the Memorial Church. Vladyka John took a close part and directly supervised all the services in the Temple. Divine services in the Temple were performed every day.
Bishop John
Vladyka John bore the title of Brussels and Western European. Vladyka lived near Paris in Versailles in the cadet corps, often came to the Temple and visited all the parishes in Belgium. The parishioners greatly revered Archbishop John and were glad to see him. On the day of the murder of the Royal Family (July 4/17), Vladyka always served in the Temple. On the night of July 16-17, the Temple was opened, Vladyka served requiem services, read the Psalter, and many came to pray with Vladyka on that night of repentance.
Archbishop John was rector of the Memorial Church for 12 years, his sermons and decrees have been published. Also, many memoirs and testimonies about prayerful help were printed, and then Vladyka was already revered as a saint.
In 1963, Vladyka was appointed to San Francisco, and in 1966. the ascetic and wonderworker Archbishop John departed to the Lord.In 1994, the Synod of the Russian Church Abroad canonized Vladyka John as one of the Saints .
The entire Orthodox world is now praying to St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco , the words of St. John came true : In Moscow in 2007 for the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church. Back in 1962, St. John said about the Memorial Church that the Temple is a candle from all Abroad for the Tsar-Martyr, for the Royal Family and for all those who suffered during the years of hard times. The temple is a symbolic grave monument until, by the grace of God, the majestic Temple is erected over the formidable Yekaterinburg mine. The words of the Saint were prophetic.
From 1960 to 1962 Hieromonk Herman (Staune) served . In the autumn of 1961, Archimandrite Theodosius (Trushevich) was appointed to the Temple .In February 1964, the Synod of Bishops, in view of the departure of Archbishop John to San Francisco, appointed Archbishop Anthony (Bartoshevich) as rector of the Temple .
Father Modest
In 1953 Abbot Modest (Jester) arrived from the island of Tubabao, where Archbishop John had brought his flock from China, and diligently helped to replenish the sacristy with new vestments and, in general, the beautification of the Temple. Father Modest went to Athos, and then to Jerusalem, and in 1959 he was appointed a clergyman in the Temple, father Alexander (Vonchakov) , who arrived from Austria. Father Alexander died in 1962.
ArchBishop_Antony.
From 1960 to 1962 Hieromonk Herman (Staune) served . In the autumn of 1961, Archimandrite Theodosius (Trushevich) was appointed to the Temple .In February 1964, the Synod of Bishops, in view of the departure of Archbishop John to San Francisco, appointed Archbishop Anthony (Bartoshevich) as rector of the Temple .
Archpriest Dimitry
In 1971 Archpriest Dimitry (Khvostov) was appointed Deputy Rector . Father Demetrius was a prisoner during the Second World War in Germany, then he graduated from the Sergiev Compound and was assigned to North Africa, where he ministered to the Orthodox in the " Légion Etrangire" . Highly revered by the entire Russian colony in Belgium, Father Demetrius dedicated himself entirely to the Temple until his death. Father Dimitry died on September 2, 1987. Father Pavel (Poirier) came to serve, and from 1988 to 2001 Father Nikolai (Semyonov) was at the Temple .
Archpriest Eugene
In 2001, a priest was appointed, and then Archpriest Evgeny (Sapronov) . Father Eugene was a man of the broadest humanitarian education, he could talk for hours about the history of Christianity and the Church. Constantly cared about self-education. He attracted many parishioners, all revered and loved him.
Born in Leningrad on January 5, 1948. There he met his future mother Eugenia, the daughter of a French military diplomat who was working in the USSR at that time. After getting married, the couple moved first to France, then to Germany. They had four sons.
In May 1987 he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany.In 1991 he was mentioned as rector of the Intercession Church in Berlin (ROCOR).Father Eugene died on the day of the Patronal Feast of the Church-Memorial on May 19, 2012. In the last years of his life, he was seriously ill for a long time. Rector of the Church Archbishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe In September 2012 Archpriest Leonid (Grilikhes) was appointed Deputy Rector .