Orthodox Church in the Netherlands

The Parish of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Alkmaar and Saint Adalbert of Egmond
Orthodox Metropolis of Belgium, Exarchate of the Netherlands and Luxembourg
Ecumenical Patriarchate

Our Life in Christ

Discover the heart of Orthodox Christian living through prayer, sacraments, spiritual growth, and community life.

Join us in following Christ daily with faith, love, and purpose.

Baptism and Marriage Preparation

We offer spiritual guidance and personalized preparation for the sacred sacraments of Baptism and Marriage. Join our Orthodox community to begin your journey in faith with blessing, support, and love.

Pastoral care and sacraments

Experience compassionate pastoral care and the grace of Orthodox sacraments. We offer spiritual guidance, confession, baptism, weddings, and regular liturgical services to support your faith journey.

Explore how the teachings of Christ and the wisdom of the Church Fathers offer a proven path to a meaningful, joyful, and spiritually fulfilling life. Rooted in Orthodox tradition, this section reveals a time-tested way of living in truth, love, and inner peace.

The Practice of Christian Life

Services alternate (mainly) between Dutch, English, Church Slavonic and Ukrainian.

Everyone is welcome to attend the services. Feel free to light a candle or discover the church. Participation in sacraments such as Confession and Communion is reserved for members of the Orthodox Church who have prepared themselves for it. If you have any questions about Church life, please contact the clergy of the parish.

Divine Liturgy in Alkmaar

Publications

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The Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos, and the Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated in September each year. The feast commemorates the birth of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Nativity of the Theotokos

Your Nativity, O Virgin, has proclaimed joy to the whole universe! The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, has shone from you, O Theotokos!
By annulling the curse, He bestowed a blessing. By destroying death, He has granted us eternal life.
Troparion of the Feast

Through prayers before the wonderworking Vladimirskaya-Desyatinnaya Icon of the Mother of God, the faithful receive help in their needs, healing from illnesses, and peace in their families. Notably, couples who were unable to have children have received the gift of parenthood, and there are cases of healing from severe diseases — including cancer.

The Vladimir-Desiatynna Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos

Troparion, Tone 4:
Today the city of Kyiv rejoices and is adorned with radiant splendor, exulting in Thy glorious manifestation, O Sovereign Lady; for upon the Desiatynna Monastery dost Thou pour forth Thy mercy, and from every tribulation dost Thou deliver us. O Most Pure Mother of Light, who art hymned in psalms, deliver from illnesses and sorrows all who with steadfast prayer call upon Thee.

Order a Commemoration Online

Order sacrifices in temples and churches online

Proskomidia (in Liturgy)

The order of the proskomidia is connected with the remembrance of two important events of the Gospel history - the Nativity of Christ and His death on the Cross. Moreover, it is during the proskomidia that all members of the Church (living and deceased) are commemorated, as well as the preparation for the main sacrament of Orthodoxy - the Eucharist.

"Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
(St. Paul the Apostle, Philippians 4:6-7)

Requiem (Panihida)

A requiem (Greek πανννυχίς, pannichis “all-night service” from πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν “whole, whole” + νύξ, νυκτός “night”) is a Christian ecclesiastical service for the deceased on the day of the funeral itself, as well as on the third, ninth, or fortieth day after death or on the anniversary of his death or birth.

"...Pray one for another to be healed: much can the increased prayer of the just do"
(St. James the Apostle, Council Letter 5:16)

Akathist

Akathist (Greek. Ο Ακάθιστος Ύμνος, i.e. “a song sung without sitting down, standing up”) is a genre of Orthodox Church hymnography, which is a song of praise and thanksgiving dedicated to the Lord God, the Theotokos, an angel, or (most often) to one or another saint.

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
(Matthew 18:19-20)

Prayers for every need

Prayers for every need are special services held in the Orthodox Church to ask for God's help in various life circumstances. They can be designed for personal, family, or community needs and always have the purpose of asking God for mercy, protection, healing, or other needs.

Sacraments, Spiritual Needs & Prayer Requests

At our Orthodox parish, we are honored to serve you in life’s most sacred and transformative moments.

We offer the Holy Sacraments of the Orthodox Church, including:

Baptism: initiation into the Christian life

Chrismation: the gift of the Holy Spirit following Baptism

Holy Eucharist: the Body and Blood of Christ, offered during Divine Liturgy

Confession (Sacrament of Repentance): spiritual healing and forgiveness

Holy Matrimony (Wedding): the sacred union of man and woman

Anointing of the Sick (Unction): prayer and anointing for healing of body and soul

We also provide catechism classes for those preparing for Baptism or wishing to deepen their understanding of the Orthodox faith.

In cases of serious illness, emergency, or bereavement, please contact us for immediate pastoral care, prayers, or the Anointing of the Sick.

After each Divine Liturgy, our priest is available for personal spiritual conversations, guidance, and pastoral counseling. These informal spiritual talks are a great opportunity to ask questions, receive advice, or simply share your concerns in a warm and supportive setting.

You are also welcome to schedule an appointment through the parish secretariat.

Our priest is fluent in Ukrainian, Dutch, Romanian, and English, and is available to assist individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

If you or your loved ones are in need of the Sacraments, spiritual guidance, or prayer, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to serve you in Christ’s love.

FAQ in Orthodox Church

What are the main services offered by an orthodox church?

We offer regular worship services, sacraments, and spiritual guidance. The main sacrament in the Orthodox Church is Communion. You may receive Communion of the Divine Mysteries at the Liturgy. The Divine Liturgy of our parish takes place on Saturdays and Sundays. More detailed information about the schedule of services can be found here:

Do you provide baptisms and other religious sacraments?

If you would like to celebrate the sacraments of baptism, marriage or any other sacrament, please contact our parish priest. He will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Contact: +31 6 23882565 (Father Andrew)

If I am having a hard time right now and have a spiritual problem, how do I deal with it?

It would be best to get yourself back to normal. You can come to the Divine Liturgy and talk to a priest about the problem. There is also the sacrament of confession. This will help to free your soul from the burden of sin.
If you have an urgent need, you can contact our priest, Father Andrew.

Contact: +31 6 23882565 (WhatsApp)

Church Service Venues

Divine Liturgy in Monastery of Saint Adalbert (Egmond-Binnen)

Address

Vennewatersweg 25, 1935 AR Egmond-Binnen

Divine Liturgy

Sunday

8:30 - 13:00

Divine Liturgy in ST. LAWRENCE Church (Alkmaar)

Address

Verdronkenoord 68, 1811 BG Alkmaar

Divine Liturgy

Saturday

9:30 - 13:00