Faceless Nativity scene displayed in Brussels
The Nativity scene set up in the medieval Grand Place square in Brussels. Photo: Orthodoxia News Agency
At the end of November 2025, a Christmas nativity scene with faceless figures of the Mother of God and Joseph was installed at the Grand Place in Brussels. The unusual installation, conceived as "inclusive," attracted wide attention and sparked criticism in European media, reports the Orthodoxia News Agency.
The work titled "The Cloths of the Nativity", created by Brussels designer Victoria-Maria Geyer, is made from recycled fabrics and features translucent silhouettes without faces. The faces are replaced by a mosaic of beige-brown fabric fragments. According to the authors, the idea was to attempt to provide "an inclusive mix of all skin tones" and create a maximally universal image.
The installation provoked a sharp reaction in Belgium and France. Commentators accused the creators of "distorting Christian heritage" and replacing the traditional Nativity scene with a modernist provocation. The leader of the French-speaking right, Georges-Louis Bouchez, called the composition "offensive" and "an indecency and an insult to our traditions," and the faceless figures "zombies".
On social media, many users also expressed outrage. Some called the nativity scene "so simple it’s offensive," others "so ugly it’s provocative." There were also claims that the faces were removed "so as not to offend Muslims," as well as accusations of imposing "woke" ideology. Amid the criticism, the mayor of Brussels stated that the project was agreed upon with local church representatives.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that in Brussels, abortion supporters attacked a Catholic bishop from Nigeria.
Read also
In Ivano-Frankivsk, a square was opened on the site of a demolished UOC church
In Ivano-Frankivsk, instead of the promised kindergarten and school, a square was opened more than four years after the demolition of the UOC church.
Holy Spirit Cathedral of the UOC in Kherson damaged by drone strike
As a result of a Russian shelling, the cathedral of the Kherson Diocese has been damaged once again.
Blogger comments on SSETNP's demand to Pochaiv Lavra to break ties with the UOC
Blogger Ilyina stated that the SSETNP's demand for Pochaiv Lavra to leave the structure of the UOC constitutes interference in church governance.
In Nigeria, Catholic priest stabbed to death with machete
In Nigeria, the body of a priest from Catholic St. Mary’s Church in Egbe was found on the side of a road with severe machete wounds.
In Zabolottia, hundreds of faithful from persecuted community mark patronal feast
In Zabolottia, about 400 faithful gathered to celebrate the patronal feast of a UOC community that had built a new church following the seizure of its former church.
Orthodox Church parishioners evacuated due to wildfires in USA
In the city of Spokane, Washington state, parishioners of the Holy Trinity Church were evacuated due to wildfires that destroyed more than 600 structures.