In Amsterdam, the Russian Orthodox Church is a vibrant, multi-cultural Christian community. The parish is dedicated to the Orthodox faith and is open to all who are searching for a spiritual home.
The Russian Orthodox Church has played an important role in establishing Orthodoxy in the Netherlands. Its patron saint, St. John of Shanghai, fought for the translation of liturgical texts into Dutch and for the veneration of pre-schism saints in the Dutch language.
History
The Orthodox parish of Saint Nicholas of Myra, Amsterdam, was founded in 1974 by a small group of Russians, Serbs and Dutch. It is a multicultural Christian community, rooted in Russian spirituality but open to Dutch culture.
In February, the clergy of this parish expressed their disagreement with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, who gave his “full support” to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They also objected to priests in Russia being punished for their support of peace.
Consequently, the priests of this church in Amsterdam announced on Saturday that they would no longer function under the leadership of the Russian Patriarch. They said they had a “heartfelt conviction that the Patriarchate of Moscow cannot provide a safe environment for our faithful”.
This is the first time in history that a local Russian Orthodox church has split from the Moscow Patriarchate. The decision was taken after a meeting of the clergy, according to a statement posted on the parish’s website.
Services
The Church offers a variety of services for members and visitors. You can also get information about the Orthodox faith and Orthodoxy in general at our Information Centre, which is open on Sundays after Liturgy.
The Orthodox Church in Holland is a small community with many members from all over the country and abroad. It is rooted in Russian spirituality and the Dutch language and culture.
Priests are available to provide guidance and support in worship, prayer and theology, as well as teaching on Christian ethics. They also serve as chaplains in the prison system.
The Church is part of the World Council of Churches. It has been involved in the ecumenical movement since its beginnings and has contributed to it throughout its history. Nonetheless, ecumenical work can be difficult for the Orthodox Church. This is why the church has repeatedly put its ecclesiological convictions to the test in various ecumenical consultations. Some of these consultations have had a lasting impact and continue to influence ecumenical discussions.
Education
The Orthodox Church has always believed that history is an essential part of its identity. This belief is reflected in the worship of the Church, which is at once a celebration of time and an anticipation of the world to come; it is also rooted in its conviction that it is the true Church of Christ on earth.
Despite the growing importance of this historical perspective for Orthodoxy, however, Christian higher education continues to face significant challenges. These include nationalization and secularization, globalization, massification, privatization, and the professionalization (or what some might call commodification) of higher education.
These trends are particularly challenging for Christian colleges and universities in areas such as Russia and Europe where the population is declining and the demand for higher education slackens. As such, it is important for Christian leaders to consciously work within the market to foster the survival of their institutions while still fulfilling their unique mission and vision.
Outreach
The church offers outreach programs for people in the area who are looking for spiritual guidance. These include a cell group, 2 celebration services on Saturday and another service on Sunday morning.
The Church also maintains contacts with other churches and groups in the area, especially Russian emigres. Its pastors and volunteers serve the community in various ways, including assisting in church and school activities, counseling the sick, organizing lectures and concerts, and serving the parish library.
As a result of its broad outreach, the Church has forged friendships with leaders in the Netherlands and abroad. These include hierarchs and clergy from the Western European Russian Orthodox Church, a bishop from Brittany, France, and others.
The Church also hosts international conferences. This year’s conference, for instance, was devoted to “Mystical events in religious life and mental health”. The Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, the diocese of Voronezh and the Metal Health Research Center (MHRC) of the RAS helped organize it.
