Warm appeal for support

Renovation of a historic Ukrainian Orthodox chapel in Boussoit (Belgium)

The Metropolis of Belgium and Exarchate of the Netherlands and Luxembourg took position of a historic Ukrainian Orthodox chapel in Boussoit (near Mons) in 2019. There were only two parishioners remaining. The building that housed a chapel as well as a little hall for catechesis and meeting and a small flat for a priest was in a deplorable condition. The Metropolis did not know quite what to do until war broke out in Ukraine and thousands fled their country and came here in Belgium. Suddenly, the chapel seemed more necessary than ever. It would become a spiritual haven for them and could also provide shelter for a priest who would minister to them.

Naturally, the question arose how would we pay for the renovation of this project? The Metropolis already has many costs to bear and has no reserves. Numerous other buildings have already been renovated in recent years and some are still in process.

Talking to Archon Boris Gurov (archon attached to our Metropolis), he and especially his wife Youlianna took this project warmly to heart. They reached out to friends and acquaintances and raised in a few months € 100,000. The Metropolis is grateful to them for their noble efforts.

With this sum of money, the building’s roof was already completely renewed, and some basic work was also started to impede rising damp. Drainage was installed around the building for this purpose. Work has also started on preparing the renovation of the upper floor, which will serve as a residence for a future priest. Work has also begun on some fundamental changes on the ground floor, such that the chapel will be slightly larger, and the small room will become one with the former kitchenette behind it.

We make a warm appeal to persons who feel called to give heart to this project and want to make a generous contribution as benefactors of our Holy Church. We appeal to all who are of good will and wish to support this noble project. Archon Boris and Youlianna have set a good example. Without your support, we cannot finish this project, and this would be a pity, because our Ukrainian brothers and sisters who have come here to escape the drama in their country are in need of this chapel and spiritual place.

We thank you in advance for your support and help!

There is still a need for € 170.000 !

You can transfer your contribution to this bank account BE45 7370 6309 3489 (IBAN), which is of the ACOG of the Metropolis (registered under the number 412 914 944).

Thanks!

History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Boussoit, Belgium

The last world war (1939-1945) led hundreds of thousands of young Ukrainians to compulsory labour in Germany. They were among the 12 million other young people of different nationalities who were forcibly conscripted by the German authorities. By May 1945, Germany was in disarray. Thousands of forced labourers looked forward to returning home, while many fled in the face of the arrival of Russian forces in Central and Western Europe.

At this time, the big industrialists in Western Europe appealed to Ukrainian workers in Germany who had refused to return home. Belgian employers sent their representatives to the German camps to recruit workers for the mines, quarries and metal industry. Thus, many Ukrainians signed a two-year work contract in the coal mines in Belgium. Twenty thousand Ukrainians arrived in Belgium.

With the help of the mine management, the Parish of the Protection of the Mother of God was founded in 1948, headed by Archpriest Ivan Bachinsky. This parish was part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Diaspora (today under the Ecumenical Patriarchate). The Parish Council decided to buy a building in Boussoit (between Mons and Péronnes) that would accommodate the small church and a meeting room. Since then, this is where the Ukrainian faithful of the region have been praying to God. The chapel was consecrated in October 1965.

After the death of Father Ivan Bachinsky in 1972, Archpriest Boris Chainiewsky (France) was appointed as the priest in charge. In 1982 he was succeeded by Father Yvan Derewianka, who celebrated the services in the parish. Some years later, in 1991, he became a bishop and was received together with other hierarchs of the Ukrainian diaspora into the canonical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (1995). He received the title of Bishop of Parnassos.

In the Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Boussoit a great number of baptisms and marriages were celebrated. Three generations passed. In 2019 there were only 2 parishioners left. Therefore, on the advice of Bishop Yvan of Parnassos, the parish and the church were entrusted to His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium and Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg (Ecumenical Patriarchate). He is now the president of the legal entity that owns the building. All the documents were sent to him through Archpriest Boris Chainiewsky.

When the little church was entrusted to Metropolitan Athenagoras, he did not quite know what to do with it. Yet who could have imagined that war would break out in Ukraine and that thousands of Ukrainians would flee their country and settle in Belgium, among other places? The little church is in a wretched state, but after renovation it would be extremely useful for the spiritual guidance of these refugees. A small flat must also be set up on the first floor so that a priest could stay there with his family.