23 January 2003 00:00
ON OPENING OF REPRESENTATION OF RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AT EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
2003-01-23
On the Theophany January 19 holiday, Her Majesty Queen Paola of Belgium visited the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church at the European International Organizations and attended the great blessing of waters at the Holy Trinity Church in the Patriarchal Residence. The rite was performed by the Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church at the European International Organizations, Bishop Ilarion of Podolsk, in the concelebration of the priest in charge of the residence, Archpriest Pavel Nedosekin.
The divine service was attended by the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine to Belgium and the European Community; the Representative of the Greek Orthodox Church at the European Union, Bishop Athanasius of Achaia; the President of the St. Giles Community in Antwerpen, H. Kiboom; the Head of the Chevton Monastery, Father Filipp; the representatives of Christian Churches and Ecumenical organizations at the European Union, and members of Brussels churches.
Upon completion of the great blessing of waters Bishop Ilarion of Podolsk addressed a greetings speech to Queen Paola. A reception then took place in honor of Her Majesty and on the occasion of the commencement of the work of the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church at the European International Organizations. During the reception the Queen had an opportunity to meet with the guests of honor and with Holy Trinity Church people.
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