Church of the Life-Giving Trinity, Eastern Orthodox church in Pyongyang, North Korea
The Church of the Life-Giving Trinity is a Russian Orthodox church in the Jongbaek-dong area of Pyongyang, North Korea. It stands as the only Orthodox church in the country, serving a small community of believers with its traditional design and religious artwork.
The church was built after Kim Jong-il expressed interest in Orthodoxy following a visit to a Russian church in 2002. Construction began in 2003 and the church was dedicated in 2006, with support from the Russian Orthodox Church.
The church follows Russian Orthodox traditions, and its interior features icons and relics that are central to the faith. Visitors may observe services led by clergy trained in Moscow, offering a rare window into Orthodox practice in North Korea.
Visitors should note that the church is primarily for the local Orthodox community and foreign diplomats, so access may be limited. It is best to check with local guides or authorities before planning a visit, as opening times are not widely published.
The church is consecrated with a relic of Sergius of Rakvere and houses a Holy Trinity icon. Its clergy are graduates of the Moscow Theological Seminary, and the church is under the Patriarchate of Moscow.
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