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Our community is a registered ANBI organization. ANBI is an abbreviation that means “Public Benefit Organization”; in other words, a charity to which donations can be made. Donations to registered charities (with ANBI status) in the Netherlands can be deducted from income tax. All money donated will go towards the administration and construction fees, for maintaining and renovating the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in The Hague Donations a one-time donation can be made by clicking the button or the QR code below or PayPal . Donation PayPal Donations for the church can be also transferred to the account of the Church Community: Bulgaars Orthodox Kerkelijke Gemeente "Heilige Eerwaardige Païsii-Hilendarski ANBI status RSIN: 815050033 IBAN:NL02ABNA0580503038; BOK P. Hilendarski,

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ABOUT US The Church Community of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel, The Hague, Netherlands, bears the name: The Bulgarian Orthodox Church Community "St. Venerable Paisius of Hilendar". The parish seat is the city of The Hague. The pastoral service of the parish covers the entire territory of the Netherlands. The parish is canonically subordinate to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Bulgarian Patriarchate and belongs to the Bulgarian Western and Central European Diocese. The church community exclusively and directly persecutes religious and charitable purposes. Our task is to organize Bulgarian Orthodox baptized Christians and give them the opportunity to participate in worship services, receive the sacraments, and profess the Orthodox faith; The community aims to offer the peace of Christ to all members through personal contacts during worship services and through joint initiatives, in order to create the opportunity for brotherly love to overcome hatred. It should offer its help and cooperate according to its capabilities wherever there is suffering, misfortune and misunderstanding. COMUNITY MANAGEMENT The Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel, The Hague, is proud of its spiritual team dedicated to serving the faithful. Our Metropolitan, priest, and volunteers contribute to the spiritual harmony and well-being of the entire community. Western and Central European Metropolitan Anthony His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe was born on Antonovden, January 17, 1978 in Stara Zagora to a family of Orthodox parents, emigrants from Gyumyurgina (present-day Komotini). On June 15, 2010, he was appointed Vicar Bishop of His Eminence Metropolitan Simeon of Western and Central Europe. On June 11, 2013, at its plenary session, the Holy Synod released Metropolitan Simeon of Western and Central Europe at his request from the metropolitan see. On October 27, 2013, he was elected by the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church-Bulgarian Orthodox Church as Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe. Father Nikolai priest Father Nikolai Nikolov is the head of our community and church. Father Nikolai was ordained as a deacon in the city of Brühl (Germany) and then in Berlin as a priest by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony. He is originally from Sofia, but for 12 years he has lived and worked in the German city of Aachen. Father Nikolai is married and has 4 children. Father Nikolai also serves in the Bulgarian Church in the city of Cologne. CHURCH WARDENS The Board of Wardens consists of five members: 1. Chairman: Father Nikolai, 2. Vice-President: Dr. Ing. Radoslav Parashkov (PhD) 3. Secretary: adv. Iskren Hristov 4. Person responsible for cultural/social activities: Alexan Chobanov 5. Treasurer: Aaltje Van Den Heuvel CONTROL COMMISSION The control committee consists of a chairman and two other members. GENERAL ASSEMBLY The general assembly consists of all members of the parish and the priest. VOLUNTEERS Volunteers at our church play an important role in supporting the community, contributing to various activities and events that promote the spiritual and social well-being of all believers.

Consecration Since creation, water has been not only an inseparable part of human existence, but also a part of its religious life. In the Bible, water symbolizes life, God's grace, the spiritual and moral purity of man. Water is closely connected with God's plan for the salvation of man. Therefore, the Holy Church uses it in the sacraments and rites. The small blessing of water is a rite for consecrating our home, office, car, as well as a cross, icon, etc. objects. What to prepare: 1. Icon, where the water blessing will be performed 2. Bunch of geranium or other green and aromatic herbs 3. Large clean bowl with cold water 4. A little olive oil (about 30 ml.) in a small container 5. Container with raw rice and 3 candles 6. Red wine 7. Loaf of bread 8. List of names of living people to commemorate for health What to do: 1. Let's get acquainted with the Orthodox meaning of the rite How to pray: A prayer for all times Hear the voice of our prayer, O loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, and look with mercy upon us, Your servants, who approach You with faith, trusting in Your unchangeable promise. For You have said: “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be given to you,” and again: “Ask, and it will be given to you.” Therefore, we unworthy ones, we beseech You, do not remember our iniquities and do not repay us according to the many transgressions with which we often anger Your goodness, but have mercy on us according to Your infinite mercy and grant us the bounties of Your unspeakable love. Deliver us from the invisible enemy and his snares, which he has spread along all the paths of life, in order to catch us and make us his servants and unfortunate victims. Protect us from our visible enemies; Expose and thwart their evil designs. Fulfill all our good desires and do not allow deprivation and calamities to approach us. Protect us from evil circumstances, from misfortune, sorrow and illness. May our prayers be favorable to You, all-generous Lord, and accept before the throne of Your dominion the deeds that we do in Your name. For You are a God of mercy and love, and to You we give glory, honor and worship, with Your beginningless Father and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever! Amen!

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Memorial Service Our departed relatives are alive in soul, because the soul is created and is eternal. Let us pray fervently to the Lord of love and all mercy to rest the souls of the deceased in the abodes of the righteous, where there is no pain, sorrow, or sighing. Eternal memory to them. Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven! A memorial service is performed by a priest in the temple or at the grave on the third, ninth, fortieth day, the anniversaries of the death of a Christian, as well as on All Souls' Days. What to prepare: 1. Bread 2. Boiled wheat 3. Bottle of red wine and a glass 4. Set of candles 5. Photo of the deceased (if in the temple) and flowers 6. Offerings (lenten, if the day is fasting) 7. Raw wheat and a hoe (only for 40 days) What to do: 1. Let's get acquainted with the Orthodox meaning of the rite How to pray: Prayer for the dead Christ our eternal King and God, You have destroyed death and the devil by Your Cross and have restored man to life by Your Resurrection; give rest, Lord, to the soul of Your servant (name) who has fallen asleep, in Your Kingdom, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering. In Your goodness and love for all men, pardon all the sins he (she) has committed in thought word or deed, for there is no man or woman who lives and sins not, You only are without sin. For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and Repose of Your servant (name), departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory with Your Eternal Father and Your All-holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit; both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen

Wedding In the sacrament of Marriage, through a blessing from the priest, the newlyweds receive divine grace. This grace sanctifies their marital union, elevates it to spiritual unity, and helps them achieve the goal of marriage: unanimity and mutual assistance on the path to perfection and salvation. The godparents become the spiritual mentors of the new family, so it is good for them to be a healthy family, an example of Orthodox life. What to prepare: 1. Baptismal certificates of the bride and groom and godparents (in the case of a second church marriage - ask the priest). 2. Copy of the Civil Marriage Certificate. 3. Wedding rings. 4. Two large candles tied with a long ribbon 5. A bottle of red wine and a glass. 6. Bread and honey. 7. A bottle of oil or olive oil. What to do: 1. To become familiar with the Orthodox meaning of the rite 2. To approach the Sacrament consciously What the godparents and the newlywed need to know The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Prayer for married couple O Lord our God, who in Your saving dispensation declared marriage honorable by Your presence in Cana of Galilee, keep in peace and concord your servants, whom you have joined together as one. Make their marriage honorable. Preserve their union undefiled; grant that they may live together blamelessly; and make them worthy to attain to a ripe old age, fulfilling Your commandments with a pure heart. For You are our God, the God of mercy and salvation, and to You we send up glory, together with Your Father Who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, always, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Българска Православна Църква Св. Св. Арахангели Михаил и Гавриил, Хага, Нидерландия, Bulgaars-Orthodoxe Kerk , Bulgarian Orthodox Church, The Hague, Netherlands. Welcome to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel, The Hague About us Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel, The Hague is a church community dedicated to strengthening the spirituality of its believers and supporting the community in the Netherlands. We are here to provide spiritual comfort and guidance, as well as to care for the needs of the people in the community. Learn more History Interesting facts about the history of our Bulgarian Orthodox community and church in the Netherlands. Learn more Services Our church service schedules are posted as events on our Facebook page weekly. Learn more Services Our church service schedules are posted as events on our Facebook page weekly. Donation PayPal

Services and rites Baptism Holy Baptism is the first of the sacraments in which a person receives God's blessing. Read more Communion Communion is a great sacrament in which believers are united most fully and inseparably with Christ. Read more Memorial When we send off the departed, we fervently pray to the Lord, who is merciful, to receive their souls back. Read more Wedding In the sacrament, through a blessing from the priest, the newlyweds receive divine grace. Read more Pure prayer The rite "Prayers over a woman in labor on the 40th day" refers to the churching of the mother after childbirth. Read more Memorial service We remember the departed with prayers to the Lord to rest the souls of our departed loved ones. Read more Repentance Penance is a sacrament in which the believer receives the gracious forgiveness of sins. Read more Consecration The small consecration of water is a rite for consecrating our home, office, car, as well as a cross, icon, and other objects. Read more

Memorial The death of a loved one always causes sorrow, but we must remember that in Christ everyone is alive. The grave is not an end, it is a door through which the human spirit passes, because “the spirit will return to God who gave it”. Therefore, we pray fervently to the Lord of all mercy to accept the soul of the deceased. The funeral service is performed by a priest in the church. When the coffin is placed in the grave, a mourning prayer, the Trisagion, is read. Then, at the request of the relatives, the home is consecrated with holy water. What to prepare: 1. Bread 2. Boiled wheat 3. Bottle of red wine and a glass 4. Set of candles 5. Photo of the deceased (if in the temple) and flowers 6. Offerings (lenten, if the day is fasting) What to do: 1. Let's get acquainted with the Orthodox meaning of the rite How to pray: Prayer for the departed O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who hast trampled down death and overthrown the Devil, and given life to Thy world, do Thou, the same Lord, give rest to the souls of Thy departed servants in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose, where all sickness, sighing, and sorrow have fled away. Pardon every transgression which they have committed, whether by word or deed or thought. For Thou art a good God and lovest mankind; because there is no man who lives yet does not sin, for Thou only art without sin, Thy righteousness is to all eternity, and Thy word is truth. For Thou are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Thy servants who have fallen asleep, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever unto ages of ages. Amen.

History of the church community 1952-2000 The building of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has been a church since 1952. The church was called the Resurrection of Christ part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) until 2000 and was founded by St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, who at that time was the metropolitan for the Russian Church Outside of Russia in Western Europe. Before that, the building was a school, and before that, the neighborhood cemetery was on this site. St. John also founded the churches of St. Mary of Egypt (Amsterdam), the Intercession of the Virgin (Arnhem), and the monastery of St. John the Baptist in The Hague. The churches in Amsterdam and Arnhem, and the Monastery are still currently functioning. 2000-2007 In 2000, Father Rumen Kalaidzhiev, at the initiative of President Petar Stoyanov, established the Bulgarian Orthodox Community in The Hague, with the first liturgy being celebrated on June 18, 2000, Pentecost, in the building of the Bulgarian Embassy in The Hague. On November 19, 2000, the church community began to use the premises used by the Russian Church Abroad, and then the first liturgy was celebrated in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church "St. St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel". The church community also received the blessing of the Western and Central European Metropolitan Simeon. The Russian Church Abroad "Resurrection of Christ" in The Hague ceased its activities. At that time, Father Rumen was an attaché to the Bulgarian Embassy in The Hague. In 2007, Father Rumen returned to Bulgaria due to illness. In Bulgaria, he served as a priest in Dobrinishte at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. 2008-2024 In 2008, Father Yoan Manev became the head of the community. He is a priest of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Community in The Hague St. Paisius of Hilendar at the church "St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel" from 2008 to 2024. His great merit is to preserve the temple in The Hague as Bulgarian, by building a chapel "St. John the Wonderworker of Rila" next to it. He was a cleric of our Western and Central European diocese for more than fifteen years until his death on August 2, 2024, and he is credited with finding his own church for our Orthodox community, which was purchased in 2018 with the support of the Bulgarian state and the blessing of Metropolitan Anthony. In 2018, Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe awarded him the distinction of steward. Father Yoan Manev was born on June 16, 1966 in the town of Gabrovo to a family of a kindergarten teacher and an engineer. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Hilarion of Trajanopol (later Metropolitan of Dorostol), then vicar of Metropolitan Stefan of Veliko Tarnovo, in the monastery "St. Nicholas the Wonderworker" in the village of Arbanasi in 1993. He took his first steps as a priest together with Father Bogomil Kasabov in the church "St. John the Baptist" in Gabrovo. He served with dignity in the churches "St. Prophet Elijah" in the village of Bozhentsi, Gabrovo, and "St. John the Rila Wonderworker" in the Gabrovo district "Bichkinya", where he is also the chairman. 2018- By notarial transfer on March 28, 2018, a perpetual right to use church property in The Hague was established for the needs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in The Hague "St. St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel". The contract was signed by the Western and Central European Metropolitan Anthony in the presence of the Bulgarian Ambassador to The Hague Rumen Alexandrov. The parties to the contract are the Municipality of The Hague and the Western and Central European Diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate. The owner of the property is the Western and Central European Diocese, which leases the church for management and use to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Community "St. Venerable Paisius of Hilendar" in The Hague. The acquisition of the property by the Western and Central European Diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate was carried out with the assistance of the Bulgarian Embassy in The Hague, and funds for the purchase of the property were provided by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria. In addition to Metropolitan Anthony, Father Yoan, and the then ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, we should not forget the contribution of Ms. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Kyoseva - legal advisor to the Holy Synod, and Ms. Boryana Petkova - Master of Dutch Law from the University of Leiden which also have merit for this God-pleasing work. Since the end of 2024, Father Nikolay has been at the head of our church community.