The second Serbian Orthodox Children's Assembly of Benelux was held in the Parish of St. George in Antwerp (Belgium), co-organized with the Serbian Orthodox Youth of the Netherlands (SPOH).

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Justin of Western Europe, the second Serbian Orthodox Children's Assembly of Benelux was held in the Parish of Saint George in Antwerp (Belgium), co-organized with the Serbian Orthodox Youth of the Netherlands (SPOH).

The assembly began with the Holy Liturgy served by seven priests: Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Milan Živanović (from Antwerp), Protopresbyter Zoran Radivojević (from Luxembourg), Protopresbyter Boris Topić (from Rotterdam), Protopresbyter Bojan Radičević (from Brussels), Priest Dušan Vučić (from Amsterdam), Priest Krsto Stanišić (from Utrecht), and Priest Dušan Marković (from Charleroi). The Liturgy was presided over by Protopresbyter Zoran Radivojević, and Protopresbyter Bojan Radičević addressed the children with an appropriate sermon.

After the Holy Liturgy, a group photo session followed, and that opportunity was used to send a joint invitation to the next Children's Assembly, which will be held on September 25, 2027, in Luxembourg.

This was followed by a joint lunch, after which the children were divided into groups led by leaders who guided them from workshop to workshop. The youngest group, Saint Petka, for children aged 0-5, had a workshop where children mostly played and listened to stories, while the other four groups (Saint John (6-7 years), Saint Sava (8-9 y.), Saint George (10-11 y.), and Saint Nectarios (12-15 y.)) went through a total of five one-hour workshops. All groups participated in the music-creative workshop with Doris, the sports workshop, and a conversation with priests Dušan Vučić and Dušan Marković, while two groups had a folklore workshop and two had an icon writing and sculpting workshop. A day-long workshop consisting of conversations with priests, led by protopresbyters Bojan Radičević and Zoran Radivojević, was also organized for parents.

After the workshops concluded, all the children and parents gathered in the nearby school hall where the children, together with Doris, performed three songs they had learned during the workshops. Later, they were awarded certificates, and in the memorial hall, parents had the opportunity to see the icons the children had painted and the censers they had made from clay.

At the end, everyone thanked Father Milan and the Parish in Antwerp for the excellent organization and great effort, resources, and love invested in organizing this very important event for the entire Serbian diaspora, as well as the volunteers and the management of SPOH for their coordination and assistance.

Alongside the Serbian Orthodox Children's Camps of the Netherlands (in the future, of Benelux), the Benelux Children's Assemblies are unique events in the entire Serbian Orthodox diaspora in Europe.

The special value of such gatherings is reflected in their significance for the upbringing and overall development of children. Through play, conversation, music, sports, folklore, creative work, and socializing, children develop their speech, social, motor, and creative abilities, and learn to cooperate, listen to one another, and freely express their thoughts and talents. At the same time, these gatherings provide an opportunity for children from different parts of the Benelux to meet, make new friendships, and feel that they belong to a wider community connected by Serbian origin, language, culture, and the Orthodox faith. It is precisely through such socializing that the youngest preserve and learn about their heritage in a natural way that is close to them. Therefore, it is important for as many children and families as possible to respond to these events every year, as every new encounter, every new acquaintance, and every jointly learned song, game, or skill represents a part of their growing up and a foundation for the future unity of Serbian Orthodox children in the Benelux.

Text prepared by Father Krsto Stanišić