To see the Chinese face of Orthodoxy

24/5/13
The Chinese Orthodox Church
English translation by Nina Tkachuk Dimas

Blagoveshchensk. – In the city’s social and cultural center there is an exhibition of “Orthodoxy in China – 300 years”, organized by the Missionary Department of the Blagoveshchensk [Annunciation] Diocese.

“First of all, this is a reminder of the universal nature of Orthodoxy, to show her Chinese face. I think that for us, people living on the left bank of the Amur River, it will be interesting and useful to learn about the possibilities of our common spiritual platform and Chinese people “- said Viktor Selivanorsky, head of the missionary department.

The grand opening was attended by Orthodox members of the Blagoveshchensk Diocese, students and teachers of Amur universities, intellectuals and the city’s public figures, as well as members of the Chinese Orthodox community who came especially from Harbin. The show also sparked the interest of the Amur Catholics and members of other religious organizations.

The exhibition was immediately preceded by the appearance of the choir “Vozrozhdeniye [Renaissance]” and Archdeacon John Chumaka, with spiritual songs in Russian and Chinese, as well as the screening of the documentary film “Mission in China.”

Welcoming words were given by Bishop Lukian of Blagoveshchensk and Tyndinsk; Professor Andrei Zabiyako – department head of Amur State University, and by a special guest – Fr. Dionisy Pozdnyaev ofSaints Peter and Paul parish in Hong Kong.

The exhibition presents about a hundred photographs, archival documents and rare books about the activities of the Russian Orthodox Mission, religious traditions of the Far Eastern emigres, the current situation of Orthodoxy in the country of China.

The exhibition will run until May 29. On June 6-9, it will also be shown on the “Amur fair.”

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