The Divine Liturgy was first celebrated on Sunday at the wooden church in Minami-Alps, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The church stands within the grounds of Japan’s first Orthodox cemetery established by the Romanian Orthodox community, which is open to people of all nationalities wishing to be laid to rest in accordance with their faith.
After about six months of work to prepare the church, it can now be used for services, although some work remains to be completed.
Donors who contributed to the church’s construction will be commemorated during the Divine Liturgy.
“We hope that this little church will endure until the end of time. Through the Divine Liturgy, sanctification also extends to the surrounding area, blessing this place, those who live here and those who rest in eternal sleep in the adjoining cemetery,” the Romanian Orthodox parish said in a statement published on its official website.
Work on the church continues
Work to complete and beautify the church will continue in the coming months.
The chandeliers and painted cross are due to be brought from Romania, while further work is also planned outside the building.
The Romanian Orthodox parish hopes to hold the church’s consecration service once the work is complete, which is expected in 2027.
The foundation stone of the Maramureș-style church was blessed in March this year.
The wooden church was built in Romania, then dismantled and transported to Japan, where it was reassembled.
The parish in Minami-Alps is dedicated to St Lazarus, whom Christ raised from the dead on the fourth day, and St Demetrius the New, the patron saint of Bucharest.
