This thesis examines the establishment and development of the historic Orthodox parish in 18th-century Amsterdam, founded by Greek merchants in a city characterised by migration, religious diversity and geopolitical tensions. Drawing on extensive and largely unpublished archival material, the study reconstructs why these migrants took the initiative to form their own church community and how they managed to preserve their religious and cultural identity whilst simultaneously integrating into Dutch society. The research places this community-building within a broad international context and highlights the links with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Russian Orthodox Church and European religious networks. Furthermore, it demonstrates how the parish was not only a place of worship, but also a centre of social cohesion, cultural exchange and religious dialogue in a predominantly Protestant environment. More than a local history, this work offers a new perspective on the Greek diaspora in the Netherlands and on the role of religion as a driving force behind identity formation, integration and intercultural coexistence in early modern Europe.
Athenagoras Yves Peckstadt was born in Ghent. He initially studied law for a few years at Ghent University and subsequently theology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He later obtained a postgraduate diploma from the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey (Faculty of Theology, University of Geneva). In 1989, he was ordained a deacon by Metropolitan Bartholomew of Philadelphia (the current Ecumenical Patriarch) under the name Athenagoras, and in 1996 he was ordained a priest by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Belgium. He served as archdeacon, parish priest and episcopal vicar of the Orthodox Archdiocese of the Benelux (Ecumenical Patriarchate). He was also an Orthodox religious education teacher and production manager for a radio and TV programme for both Belgian public broadcasters. In 2003, he was elected by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as auxiliary bishop to the Metropolitan of Belgium. His episcopal consecration took place in the Orthodox Cathedral in Brussels. In 2013, he was elected Metropolitan of Belgium and Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg. He has already served three terms as a member of the Permanent Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and is President of the Orthodox Bishops’ Conference of the Benelux. He also heads the Office of the Orthodox Church to the European Union. Furthermore, he is active in various ecumenical working groups, both nationally and internationally. Since 2016, he has been co-chair of the International Commission for Dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Orthodox Church.