Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe performs lesser consecration of St. Nicholas Church in Hungarian town of Tokaj

DECR Communication Service, 24/08/2026

On 22^nd August 2026, Metropolitan Mark of Korsun and Western Europe, Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe, Administrator of the Diocese of Budapest and Hungary, visited the wine-making capital of Hungary – town of Tokaj, where he performed the lesser consecration of St. Nicholas Church and celebrated the Divine Liturgy there.

Three hundred years ago, there was a Russian trade mission operating in Tokaj which was buying in local wines for the Russian royal court. The mission had a home chapel and later built a church. On the lands held on lease by Russian sovereigns, Orthodox Cossacks harvested grapes and helped make wine to be later delivered to St. Petersburg.

A short while ago, the building of the Orthodox church in Tokaj was provided to the Moscow Patriarchate’s Diocese of Budapest and Hungary and was restored with the assistance of the Government of Hungary, reports the diocesan website.

Upon his arrival at the church, Metropolitan Mark put on liturgical vestments, read due prayers and sprinkled holy water on the altar table, the church walls and the iconostasis.

Having completed the rite of lesser consecration, Metropolitan Mark celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Church. Concelebrating with the hierarch were clerics of the Diocese of Budapest and Hungary.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the archpastor delivered a homily and congratulated the Parish of St. Nicholas on the lesser consecration of the church, saying in particular; “With God’s help, may this church become a place of sanctification for all the people attending it, and may it be a blessing for the town of Tokaj and its residents. May the mercy of God and the blessing of this church’s heavenly patron, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, be with this community of believers and with the town of Tokaj.”

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Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe performs lesser consecration of St. Nicholas Church in Hungarian town of Tokaj

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons