Orthodox holy sites of Europe

Relics of the saints of the undivided Church, relics of the Lord’s Passion and of the Mother of God, ancient monasteries — including those now kept in Catholic and Anglican churches. Choose a country.

Netherlands

Check access arrangements on the church’s website before travelling.

Maastricht

Relics of Saint Servatius

Bishop of Tongeren and Maastricht († 384), one of the first saints of the present-day Netherlands. The relics are in the basilica treasury; every seven years there is a solemn exposition.

Where: Basilica of Saint Servatius
Address: Keizer Karelplein 3, 6211 TC Maastricht · on the map
Nearest church: Parish of Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Servatius (Archdiocese), Maastricht

Dokkum

Saint Boniface’s Spring at Dokkum, Place of His Martyrdom

Here on 5 June 754 Saint Boniface, Apostle of Germany, was killed by pagans with some fifty companions. The site of the martyrdom has a chapel (1934) and a park with the spring that, by tradition, appeared in the saint’s time; it still flows and draws pilgrims. The Russian Orthodox Diocese of the Netherlands venerates Saint Boniface among the saints of the Low Countries.

Where: St Boniface Chapel and Spring
Address: Bonifatiuskapel, Bronlaan, Dokkum · on the map
Access: 1 June – 15 September: daily 14:00–17:00
Nearest church: Parish of Saint John the Baptist, Oldegalileën 129, 8922 AC Leeuwarden

Egmond-Binnen

Head of Saint Adalbert of Egmond and His Well

Saint Adalbert († c. 740), a companion of Saint Willibrord, preached among the Frisians for fifty years. His head rests beneath the altar of the church of St Adalbert’s Abbey at Egmond-Binnen; nearby, at the foot of the dunes, the “Adelbertusakker” marks his first grave, with a healing well among the foundations of the ancient chapel. Feast: 25 June.

Where: St Adalbert’s Abbey; Adelbertusakker well
Address: Abdijlaan 26, 1935 BH Egmond-Binnen · on the map
Nearest church: Parish of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, Veluwelaan 22, 1079 RA Amsterdam (zondag: Rijksstraatweg 355, 2025 DB Haarlem)

Oldenzaal

Relics of Saint Plechelm of Oldenzaal

Saint Plechelm (8th c.), an Irish monk-bishop, preached in the eastern Netherlands. His head is kept in the high altar of the basilica, and at his feast (mid-July) the reliquary is set out by the altar for veneration and carried in procession.

Where: Basilica of St Plechelm
Address: Sint Plechelmusplein, 7571 Oldenzaal · on the map
Nearest church: Parish of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Deventer

Sint-Oedenrode

Relics of Saint Oda of Brabant

Saint Oda († 726), a recluse, died on the site of today’s Sint-Oedenrode, which bears her name. Her relics are kept in St Martin’s Church. The Russian Orthodox Diocese of the Netherlands venerates her among the saints of the Low Countries; feast 27/28 November.

Where: St Martin’s Church
Address: Kerkplein 47A, 5492 AN Sint-Oedenrode · on the map
Nearest church: Parish of Saint Nektarios of Aegina, Hoogstraat 301A, 5654 NB Eindhoven