Lost to time, Heilige Erzengel’s story begins in a blend of change and faith. This is the tale of the Orthodox Parochie zu den heiligen Erzengeln. The church has evolved through different locations. It reflects the community’s steadfast spirit.
Originally, the Orthodox Parochie zu den heiligen Erzengeln began its journey in 1958. Erzpriester Sergius Heitz from Hagenau in Alsace founded it. For about 50 years, the Jan-Wellem-Kapelle in Düsseldorf-Hamm served as their place of worship.
Fast forward to the early 21st century, a significant change occurred. The church moved to a building on Werstener Feld. This building had been built around 1960 by the Diakonische Werk. It was initially intended as an Orthodox center. Several Orthodox communities used it together. These included Ukrainian, Romanian, Serbian and Russian Orthodox churches.
In 2008, the Orthodox Parochie zu den heiligen Erzengeln became the sole occupant. Hildegard Bienen enriched the church space with her artworks. However, this arrangement was not permanent.
By late 2021, structural concerns led to the demolition of the building. The structure had been in use longer than initially planned. This marked another turning point for the Heilige Erzengel.
After the demolition, the community moved temporarily to a vacant shop. Later, they found a new home in St. Theresia in Garath. This reflects the community’s resilience.
The Orthodox Parochie zu den heiligen Erzengeln holds a unique position. It is the only German-speaking and international Orthodox parish in North Rhine-Westphalia. It operates under the Archbishop of the Archdiocese. This archdiocese is of Russian tradition in Western Europe. Its seat is in Paris. This makes it part of the multinational Western European Diocese. This is part of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Understanding itself as a local church, it welcomes all. It does not operate as an exile or national church. This identity shapes its mission and outreach.
The story of Heilige Erzengel is more than just a sequence of locations. It is a testament to faith and community. It embodies the spirit of adapting. It shows remaining true to its calling. The congregation continues to serve. It binds people from various backgrounds in faith.