On 23 and 24 May 2026, His Eminence Metropolitan John of Dubna made a pastoral visit to the Parish of Christ the Saviour in Orléans on the occasion of the blessing of its new chapel. This chapel has been placed at the disposal of the parish community for the past few months by the town hall of Olivet with the agreement of the Catholic Diocese of Orléans .
Before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan John of Dubna and Father Joachim Andrianarijaona, rector of the parish, welcomed His Excellency Bishop Jacques Blaquart, Bishop of Orléans, who came to the chapel to greet Vladyka John and the community on its settling into the new place of worship. The two bishops spoke of the excellent relations between their dioceses. After this friendly meeting, Bishop Jacques Blaquart left to preside at Mass in his cathedral in Orléans for Pentecost, celebrated that day according to the Gregorian calendar.
Then Metropolitan John blessed the chapel and presided at the Divine Liturgy. During the Little Entrance, the Archbishop granted the rector of the parish, the Reverend Father Joachim Andrianarijaona, the right to wear the golden cross, in token of thanks for his commitment and pastoral service.
At the end of the service, Metropolitan John awarded the Medal of Mother Maria of Paris (Skobtsov), a high decoration of the Archdiocese, to Mesdames Estelle THOMÈS-LELOUP, choir director, Brigitte ARGOUET, choir member, Elena DIMITROVA, assistant treasurer, and to Mr Claudio PETER, parish council member, of the said parish. Our warmest congratulations!
To conclude, a magnificent meal was offered by the parishioners to all the guests and to the Archbishop in the splendid Saint Joseph Hall of the school of the Catholic parish of Saint-Martin in Olivet.
