On 17 and 18 May 2025, the faithful of the parish of Belfort and Fr Alexis Meistermann, rector, had the very great joy of welcoming His Grace Bishop Elisey of Reutov, on a pastoral visit on the occasion of the feast of the 100th anniversary of the parish. The former rectors of the parish honoured us with their presence: Fr Nicolas Rehbinder, who had supervised the construction of the new church, Fr Emmanuel Babus, who came from Bucharest, and Hegumen André Wade, who came from Italy.
Bishop Elisey, accompanied by Reader Ionut, arrived for the celebration of Vigil on Saturday evening. The Vigil was followed by a fraternal meal.
On Sunday 18 May, the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, the pontifical Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Elisey, surrounded by Frs Alexis, rector, André, Nicolas and Emmanuel. At the end of the Liturgy, a memorial was offered for the departed priests who had served the parish, and in particular for Monsignor Sylvestre Haruns, whose 25th anniversary of birth into heaven that day marked. This Liturgy will remain an unforgettable moment for all the faithful present, who came in great numbers, thus showing their deep and sincere attachment to their church. Bishop Denis Jachiet, Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Belfort-Montbéliard, and Pastor Marc Frédéric Muller, ecclesiastical inspector of the East-Montbéliard Region of the United Protestant Church, did us the honour of attending.
After the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Elisey presented the “St Mary of Paris” medal to Marie-Frédérique Cavy-Chéry and a Gramota to Anastasie Schittly in gratitude for their devotion and unfailing commitment to the parish and to the Church within the Archdiocese. The Bishop then blessed the icons made by children of the parish under the direction of the iconographer Françoise Hoegy. The children of the Serbian school sang traditional Serbian songs, thus gladdening the hearts of all who listened.
After the Liturgy, a festive agape allowed everyone to be refreshed in the joy of the risen Christ! A very peaceful moment of joy, in the shade of the church and under a spring sun!
We are deeply grateful to His Eminence Metropolitan John of Dubna for having paternally blessed this visit.
We shall keep engraved in our hearts and memories this blessed time of commemoration of our parish, of the founding priests and laity of our Belfort church, and this moment of sharing with our priests and with all those who work every day so that this parish may grow in faith and preserve this so precious spiritual anchorage.
Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!
Fr Alexis Meistermann, rector of the parish
