Holy Annunciation Church of Harbin

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Holy Annunciation Church of Harbin

The Blagovescekaya Church (Annunciation of the Theotokos) was built originally of wood beginning on March 25/ April 6, 1900 and finished in May, 1903. It was burned down on February 23, 1918. It was rebuilt beginning in May 1918 and finished on March 22, 1919. A new Byzantine style Church was started to be built in its place on September 1/14, 1930 and completed in 1941 at 41 Police Street (now Yǒuyì Road), Dàolǐ District, Harbin.

The eighth rector was Fr Daniel He. The ninth and last rector was Fr Anthony Yao from Beijing. The church building was closed in 1966 and finally destroyed in 1970.

Photos of original Annunciation Church

photo from Japan

postcard from Russia

Songhua River in background

Komarova, M.K. History of the Annunciation
Church in Harbin. 1942, pg 14

Sept 1/14, 1930 photo
Komarova, M.K. History of the Annunciation
Church in Harbin. 1942, pg 53

Komarova, M.K. History of the Annunciation
Church in Harbin. 1942, pg 67

Russkaya Atlantida

Memory -- the only paradise from which we cannot be banished...

I. Rikhter

Holy Annunciation Church

Sunday, July 11, 2004
N. Razzhigaieva
English Translation by Nina Tkachuk Dimas

The Annunciation Church in Harbin at the Quay was striking in its grandness and rare decorative effects, its surprising harmony of forms and grandeur. The temple's interior accoutrement, executed in celestial blue tones, was magnificent. Filled with sun beams penetrating through the narrow windows under the cupola, the temple's huge interior space instilled a light, prayerful mood. This was one of the most beautiful edifices built by Russian people in Harbin, and was one of the city's best architectural ornaments. "The Cultural Revolution" did not bypass the church. In 1970 it was blown up and lay in ruins. The church lives on in our memory as it was when we left it, when we said farewell to Harbin forever...

Photos by Ablamskii, Vladimir Pavlovich, 1911-1994