The Annual Gathering of the 'Orthodox Youth of Belgium' took place from 16 till 18 October, 2009 in 'De Kluis', Sint-Joris-Weert (near Leuven). The very theme of the gathering was "Keep thy mind in hell, and despair not", a significant sentence of Saint Silouan the Athonite.
This subject was developped by Father Dominique Verbeke (Orthodox Parish of Ghent).
The meeting was opened by His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Sinope, who gave an introduction and read a message of His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Belgium (Ecumenical Patriarchate).
Other interventions were given by Deacon Ciprian Popescu (Brussels, responsible of the 'Orthodox Youth of Belgium' and deacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate) who animated a workshop on Byzantine music, Father Patriciu Vlaicu (Brussels, Romanian Patriarchate) who spoke about ‘Love and Marriage’ and Mother Maria (Orthodox Monastery of Asten, The Netherlands), who spoke about monastic life.
Some 70 young persons from Belgium and abroad – belonging to different jurisdictions - took part at the gathering.
Vespers and Divine Liturgy were presided over by His Grace Bishop Athenagoras in concelebration with priests and deacons, and sung by the young participants themselves.
This year the ‘Orthodox Youth of Belgium’ celebrated the 30th anniversary of its organization. It was Father Dominique Verbeke who under the spiritual guidance of Archimandrite Symeon and Hieromonk Rafail Noica (both from the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint John the Baptist in Essex, Great-Britain) started with organizing first gatherings. The gathering was organized by Reverend Deacon Ciprian Popescu in cooperation with a team of young persons from different parishes. The gathering of the 'Orthodox Youth of Belgium' was by all participants considered as fantastic and hopeful!
Source: http://www.orthodoxia.be/Z-News/Jongerenweekend_De_Kluis_2009.html
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