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  The
Orthodox Church in Japan is one of the Orthodox Churches in the world.
Orthodoxy was brought into Japan from Russia by St. Nicholai in the 19th
century. Although St. Nicholai was officially appointed as a chaplain
for the Russian consulate in the beginning, he came with a strong missionary
zeal in 1861. He not only mastered the Japanese language completely but
was also well versed in Japanese culture as well as religion by the time
he began his mission. His command of the language was so perfect that
no one could challenge him with his translations of the Scriptures as
well as the liturgical books.
 St.
Nicholai began his missionary work after baptizing first Japanese Orthodox
Christians in 1868. While his disciples were helping him by converting
people in the northern area, St. Nicholai moved down to Tokyo from Hakodate.
He eventually established the headquaters where the Holy Resurrection
Cathedral presently stands.
His extensive work, founding seminaries, the translation center, and numerous
churches and communities, witnesses his strong missionary zeal as well
as the Presence of the Holy Spirit. He departed in 1912.
Father Nicholai, pray to God for us! |
