Reconstruction of the Assumption Church at Russian Embassy in China
The Church of the Assumption of Our Lady was built in the southwestern part of the North Metochion of the Russian Orthodox Mission in 1902 under Bishop Innocent (Figourovsky). In using a simple design, the architects wanted to build a church for everyday services. But this unpretentious church managed to outlive more ornate churches, like the Church of the All Saint Martyrs, whose ruins are located on the so-called Large Island of the embassy (in 2007, the Salutation Cross and a memorial stele were built there).
The Brotherhood of the Russian Orthodox Church in China thus described the church in its August 8, 1904 bulletin: "The church is quite spacious, filled with sunshine and piety; its life-size icons are very beautiful; the church is very good for singing and reading prayers." The icon of St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker brought from Russia in 1685 was kept there.
After closing the Russian Orthodox Mission in 1956, the Chinese authorities handed the territory over to the Soviet Embassy in China, and the church was used as a garage.
In March 2004, the Russian Orthodox Church proposed reconstructing the church on the territory of Russian Embassy. The Russian Foreign Ministry introduced the proposal for the consideration of the Chinese authorities.
The Chinese authorities gave their approval only after a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao. In April 2008, the two parties formalized their agreement to reconstruct the church. One of the main conditions of the Chinese authorities was not to allow Chinese citizens inside the rebuilt church.
On December 29, 2007, the Russian Government issued an executive order on the provision of funding for the project. Russian business people also contributed to boosting the process of reconstruction of the church and the adjoining territory.
At this point, the church is almost completely renovated.
By the decision of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Bishop Mark of Yegoryevsk, secretary of the Moscow Patriarchate in charge of church's foreign institutions, will consecrate the church.
