More than 300 people participate in consecration ceremony presided by the Orthodox primate of Japan. The building was erected in only six months in traditional Orthodox style. Regular services will start on 31 January.

Nagoya (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Archbishop Daniel of Tokyo, Primate of the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Japan, consecrated a new church in honour of Theophany (Epiphany) in the city of Nagoya. More 300 believers took part in the celebration. The church will open for regular services on 31 January after an all-night vigil.

“This is an important day for our Church,” the primate said during the consecration ceremony. “Thanks to the new temple, people will be able to know better about Russian Orthodoxy.”

“I am happy that it was built in Nagoya, which is the centre of this country,” he added.

The church was built in only six months in one of the city’s old neighbourhood. Made of Japanese cedar, the snow-white structure is in the typically Orthodox Suzdal style. The construction was made possible by donations from the local Orthodox community.

The presence of the Orthodox Church in Japan dates back to the middle 19th century.

It is under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate and has about 25,000 members.

• japan
• nagoya
• orthodox
• church
• suzdal
• style
• theophany
• epiphany
• primate
• daniel