The Japanese Orthodox Church: from the Origins to the present

Abstract

Since the late 50s of the nineteenth century at the backdrop of the active cooperation of the Russian Empire with Japan, the Russian Church raised the question of the need for an external mission in the country of the Rising Sun. St. Nicholas of Japan is the unifying link of the two great countries. The legacy of the St. Nicholas is a national treasure of two peoples. According to Hierarch, «everything that is done in Japan, more than any other state, should interest Russia as its immediate neighbor an the far East. Both states are young, full of fresh strength and hopes for a long historical life. Moreover, both of them are completely different in their geographical position, as a result of which in the future they can only help each other, but not meet one another on cross roads and not interfere with one and the other». The missionary work of St. Nicholas of Japan is a worthy model for modern Christian preaching. «In a country that was isolated from the whole world, tens of thousands of people, having heard the voice of one person, converted to a faith that was incomprehensible to them, which was shared by other people and had no root in local culture». St. Nicholas left a large storehouse of works that led to the creation of the modern Japanese Orthodox Church.