Information for pilgrims

Dear friends!

A new orthodox parish called after the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Paroisse orthodoxe de la Sainte Rencontre de Notre Seigneur Jésus Christ) has been found in 2011 in the city of Lourdes in France. Since the January 2012 a permanent place for orthodox services has been enabled. It is the orthodox chapel of one of the bounds of the church of Saint Jean-Baptiste situated: 2, avenue Jean Prat, Lourdes 65000 France.

In the mid XIX century in the city of Lourdes Saint Mother of God visited simple rural girl called Bernadette. Virgin Mary showed to Bernadette a special place where a new healthy source was enabled thanks to the God’s will. Since that period the small French city Lourdes has transformed into spiritual center of international pilgrimage, including orthodox pilgrimage.

There are two orthodox parishes in Lourdes nowadays: the French speaking parish (which belongs to Romanian Patriarchate) and our Slavonic parish (Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe).

The principal prayer languages in our parish are Slavonic and French. Some prayers and readings are held in Russian, Georgian, Ukrainian and Arabic languages. If necessary other prayer languages are possible.

By the moment regular orthodox services are held each Saturday at 10 a.m. (Liturgy), from time to time - on Sundays and Holidays. Services could be held in some other days depending on agreement with pilgrim groups.

There are churches, chapels and pilgrim services for Christians of different nationalities in the city of Lourdes - center of international pilgrimage. Of course, mainly it is abbeys and parishes of Catholic Church. However, in the Lourdes Information Center you can find some information about the churches of Eastern Europe tradition (Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church) and about us, Orthodox Church. Usually here pilgrims from different countries visit their Mission and participate in a Liturgy praying their language.

Coming to Lourdes, you can visit our orthodox chapel and participate in a service according to the agenda. You can also choose another day of visit but you need to inform us about your arrival in advance.

Our parish is opened for all orthodox people of all nationalities and all canonic jurisdictions. In case if your family or group is accompanied by a priest, we will let him to run a service of the Liturgy himself. All necessary inventories required for orthodox service will be provided. But for the clergy we will ask to present the documents (certificate, attestation) and to inform the father of our parish or our governing bishop in advance. We kindly require a priest and chorus singers who use other languages (except Slavonic and French) to bring their own prayer books. Priests should bring their garment worn under the cope (cassock) regards to the size.

We can help in translation and escort for those who do not speak French (if required).

Our contact information:
Paroisse orthodoxe de la Sainte Rencontre de Notre Seigneur Jésus Christ, Lourdes, France

Postal address:
9, rue Saint François, 65100, Lourdes, France

Call to:
Parish tel.: +33 5 62 34 79 82
Archpriest Georges Ashkov tel.:+33 6 78 21 38 75

E-mail to:
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