A Paschal service took place for the first time since 1965 at the Cathedral Church dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “The Helper of Sinners”. The church is located on the premises of the former French mission building.
Several hundred believers, including Russians and people from other countries currently living in Shanghai, attended the divine service, reports TASS.
“In addition to the Church Slavonic, the parishioners heard a prayer in English, German, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Greek, Uzbek, Ukrainian, Belarusian and Chinese. These are all our parishioners united by a single faith with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill,” said Father John, priest of the local Orthodox community.
According to the priest, the divine service at the “Helper of Sinners” Icon of the Holy Theotokos Cathedral is a unique event in many ways.
“This Pascha at the cathedral is a unique event to merely step inside, because it was inactive for so many years. Today’s event is also evidence of the growing mutual trust and friendship between the peoples of Russia and China,” Fr. John added.
