11. JANUARY 2025
NEW YEAR’S FESTIVAL WITH
LEADERS OF STATE AND CHURCH

Mönchengladbach, 12 September 2025 –

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His Eminence, Archbishop Prof. Dr. mult. Thomas Paul Schirrmacher, on 11 January 2025, visited the city of Mönchengladbach to grace the International Ecumenical New Year’s Festival of his diocese, the Evangelical Free Church Blessing Gospel Mission Church e.V., also known as “The Blessing Church.” As Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Continental Europe of the India Christian Mission Church (ICMC) – an Anglican-Orthodox Church founded anno Domini 1897 – he bears responsibility for the faithful of Continental Europe, canonically established upon the Evangelical Mission The Blessing Church.

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A most solemn highlight of the evening was the venerable laudation pronounced by His Eminence, Archbishop Prof. Dr. mult. Thomas Paul Schirrmacher, with which he led His Excellency, Lord Mayor Felix Wolfgang Heinrichs, in dignified procession to the stage. The exalted Opening Address of His Excellency, Lord Mayor Felix Wolfgang Heinrichs, imparted to the congregation a message of encouragement, hope, perspective, and heartfelt good wishes for the year ahead.

On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee – the 50th Anniversary of the Union of Mönchengladbach, Rheydt, and Wickrath – His Grace, Suffragan Metropolitan Bishop Michael Chandrathas, in profound gratitude and reverence, presented to His Excellency, Lord Mayor Felix Wolfgang Heinrichs, together with the highly esteemed Honorary Lord Mayor Mrs. Monika Bartsch, two solemn Dedication Scrolls. These texts, inscribed with words of benediction and honor, were bestowed as an enduring token of the highest esteem, attesting to the immutable bond between Church, City, and People.

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Superintendent Rev. Dietrich Denker (Patron of the Blessing Church) and Bishop Michael Chandrathas (Co-Founder of the Blessing Church) welcomed the assembly in the name of the “United Intercultural Fellowship,” gathered within the majestic, historic sanctuary of the Evangelical Friedenskirche, consecrated in 1885, in the district of Eicken. Representing the Friedenskirche were Deaconess Esther Salmingkeit-Winkens, Pastor Antje Brand, and

Rev. Till Hüttenberger.

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In his address, entitled “World Peace Begins in Small Circles,” His Eminence, Archbishop Schirrmacher, reflected upon the sanctity of differences, the overcoming of prejudice, and the pathway to reconciliation. With fervent clarity, he proclaimed that Christian repentance must necessarily entail the renunciation of malicious and judgmental thoughts towards those of other communities. JESUS CHRIST, declared His Eminence, rightly condemned the disdainful prayer “I thank Thee that I am not like the others” as utterly incompatible with the Gospel.

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Following this, His Eminence, Archbishop Schirrmacher, together with his Suffragan Metropolitan Bishop Michael Chandrathas and Superintendent Rev. Dietrich Denker, imparted their blessing upon the newly wedded Indian couple Yedla, who now embark upon a new chapter of life in Germany.

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The reception, conceived under the vision of Bishop Michael Chandrathas in close cooperation with the highly esteemed Director Mr. Wolfgang Riehn of the AGORA Socio-Cultural Center and advisor to the Blessing Church, magnificently reflected the religious, cultural, and civic diversity of the city of Mönchengladbach. “We shall labor unceasingly for the welfare of the city,” affirmed Bishop Chandrathas before His Excellency, Lord Mayor Felix Wolfgang Heinrichs.

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Numerous members of international congregations, together with representatives of various Churches and Confessions, answered the invitation of the Blessing Church – among them His Excellency, Archpriest Aleksejs Ribakov (Russian Orthodox Church), The Reverend Priest Alexander Teschmit (New Apostolic Church of West Germany), the honored Presidential Candidate Mr. Abdoulaye Sadio Barry (Republic of Guinea), and the renowned Romanian entrepreneur Mr. Lucian Mustata, CEO of Heartbeats International.

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Together with the Honorable Member of Parliament Mrs. Gülistan Yüksel, His Excellency, Member of Parliament Professor Dr. Günter Krings, His Excellency, Lord Mayor Felix Wolfgang Heinrichs, the Honorable Mayor Hajo Siemes, and the highly esteemed Honorary Lord Mayor Mrs. Monika Bartsch (representing the Mönchengladbach Tafel), eminent personalities from politics and society bore witness to the blessed work of the international congregations. His Excellency, Member of Parliament Professor Dr. Günter Krings (CDU), had composed a message in which he extolled the inestimable value of international church ministry. In the name of His Excellency, the esteemed Chairman of the Evangelical Working Group of the CDU Mönchengladbach, Dr. Herbert Loock, solemnly read aloud this profound greeting before the assembly. His Eminence, Archbishop Schirrmacher, then formally presented the Letter of Appointment to His Excellency, Member of Parliament Professor Dr. Günter Krings, installing him as Patron of the Blessing Church.

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The well-attended, evening-long celebration shone as a splendid testimony to the colorful richness of Christian life in Mönchengladbach. In addition to the aforementioned highlights, the distinguished Cleric Wolfgang Röthgens was honored for his 45 years of service in the Police of Mönchengladbach. An international choir uplifted the assembly with soulful Gospel hymns; the world-renowned Antoschka – Queen of Clowns brought delight through artful performance; a Ukrainian string quartet offered renditions of Vivaldi; and a collection of €600 was presented to the Mönchengladbach Tafel.

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The crowning conclusion of the New Year’s Festival was the Prayer for Peace, solemnly led by His Excellency, Archpriest Aleksejs Ribakov, together with members of the Committee of the United Intercultural Fellowship:

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• Bishop Dr. Martin Ndongala, originally from the Congo (MIRS Church, Bochum)

• Rev. Yoram Karusya, originally from Tanzania (United Evangelical Mission)

• Rev. Dr. Ji-Ung Jeremy Lim, originally from Korea (World Evangelical Alliance)

• Pastor Chon Pak, originally from Korea (FOKUS Church)

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Most moving was the participation of the Honorable Evangelist Timo Bauke Jansen (Operation Christmas Child), originally from the Netherlands, who, together with his family, journeyed from Lübeck, and imparted to the festival a unique spirit of devotion and grace.

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