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Holy Annunciation Church of Harbin

The Blagovescekaya Church (Annunciation of the Theotokos) was built originally of wood in May, 1903, and was burned down in 1918. A new Byzantine style Church was started to be built in its place in 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.

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
Photos
 

1930s photo from Japan

from bbs.w0451.com

1930s photo from Japan

Dome view