Russian culture abroad: Unique monograph “Orthodoxy in China” published

A unique historic monograph entitled “Orthodoxy in China”, which covers the origin and development of Orthodox culture in Celestial Empire, has recently come out. The President of Russia Dmitry A. Medvedev presented this book to the Chinese President Hu Jintao on September 27 2010 within the framework of his official visit to the People’s Republic of China.

The book “Orthodoxy in China” is an academic edition in Russian and Chinese languages which contains a rich illustrative material.

The album came out to mark the 325th anniversary of Orthodoxy in China. “Orthodoxy marked the beginning of reciprocal familiarization and dialogue between Russian and Chinese civilizations, and became a spiritual and moral pivot in the development of relations of two countries, one of the secure links, that brings together peoples of Russia and China”, - stressed the Academician Mikhail Titarenko,  chairman of the edition’s editorial board, Chairman of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society.

Today China numbers about 15 thousand of Orthodox believers. They mainly live in Beijing, Shanghai, Heilongjiang province, autonomous regions of Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia. Orthodox cathedrals in China are being reconstructed, and many have entered the lists of architectural monuments. The revival of Orthodoxy in China promotes bilateral relations between Russia and China.