Worship Merry Christmas, held in the Chinese city of Harbin, collected a large number of believers — the website of the Department for External Church Relations (DECR), Russian Orthodox Church, informs «Pacific Russia».

January 7, 2016 I Provost District Vladivostok diocese priest and the priest Demetrius Fedorin Chinese Orthodox community, Alexander Yu Shi committed in Harbin festive Divine Liturgy. Because Orthodox Intercession Church of Harbin is now closed for repairs, the service was accomplished in a location near a Catholic Cathedral.

The main feature of the Christmas service in 2016 was that they were made in two languages ​​- Russian and Chinese. About how the preparation for worship in Harbin, told the newspaper on the eve of «Seaside bells».

In 2016, Christmas celebrations in Harbin was attended by over 100 people — more than in previous years, said the priest Demetrius Fedorin:

- Christmas Liturgy in two languages ​​is the result of our many years of joint cooperation in the spiritual sphere, the impetus for the development of cooperation will visit to China in 2013, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and the further strengthening of spiritual contacts with the assistance of the DECR and the Chinese side.

And today’s Christmas liturgy, in which, except for the Chinese and the Russians, CIS citizens participated, as well as representatives of countries such as Canada and Serbia can be considered, in my opinion, as a moment of significant, even historic! A special feature was the fact that the Chinese and Russian Orthodox communities of Harbin met Christmas together — in previous years, this occurred separately.

And in 2016, we conducted a joint service, many parishioners on the feast of the sacrament. Then there was a common meal and concert prepared by the Chinese and the international Orthodox community. And all this has strengthened the impression, and the joy of the holiday!

Russian Christmas carols are very pleased with the Chinese and foreigners, as it was interesting to see at the festival is not Santa Claus, and traditional Russian Father Frost and the Snow Maiden … Chinese choir specially Unlearning Christmas troparion and a number of hymns in Russian. In short, the cultural and spiritual exchange develops, and perhaps in the near future in Harbin will be in demand, even service in three languages ​​- Chinese, Russian and English!

The next visit is scheduled for Harbin celebration of Easter.