{"id":562783,"date":"2026-03-16T21:07:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T19:07:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=562783"},"modified":"2026-03-16T21:07:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T19:07:30","slug":"romanians-lay-foundation-for-wooden-church-at-japans-first-orthodox-cemetery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/romanians-lay-foundation-for-wooden-church-at-japans-first-orthodox-cemetery\/","title":{"rendered":"Romanians lay foundation for wooden church at Japan\u2019s first Orthodox cemetery"},"content":{"rendered":"

Members of the Romanian Orthodox Parish of Tokyo have begun building a wooden church in Maramure\u0219 style in Minami-Alps, Yamanashi Prefecture, after purchasing land and establishing the first Orthodox cemetery in Japan<\/a> at the site. The foundation stone was blessed at the end of last week.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The service was officiated by the parish priest, Daniel Cor\u00eeu, with the blessing of Patriarch Daniel of Romania, Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim (Tsujinaga)<\/span><\/a> of the Autonomous Orthodox Church in Japan. In a sign of respect, a Buddhist priest from a nearby temple also attended the ceremony.<\/p>\n

Construction of the foundation will begin on 1 April and will be carried out by a local Japanese company. The wooden church structure has already been crafted in Romania by traditional builders, then dismantled and transported to Japan.<\/p>\n

Installation and assembly of the Maramure\u0219-style church will take place between 29 April and 19 May, when monks who helped build the structure will travel from Romania. During the same period, the church roof will be installed by another Japanese company.<\/p>\n

Building in Japan Not Easy<\/h2>\n

\u201cOur prayers have given us hope and courage so that the challenges ahead do not trouble or frighten us. Until this festive moment, when we finally saw the wooden church from Romania arrive at the site in Yamanashi, we went through many trials,\u201d Fr Cor\u00eeu said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cWe realised that building a church is not easy, especially in Japan. Above all, the power and providence of God proved victorious. The trials have not stopped, but after Saturday\u2019s event, we have greater hope that the work will be completed successfully.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Team Effort<\/h2>\n

Work on building and installing the small church at the Orthodox cemetery in Japan has been underway for nearly two years.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a team effort, an undertaking of communion,\u201d Fr Cor\u00eeu said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor this reason, to bring it to completion, we again appeal to solidarity and mutual support. The expenses ahead\u2014including the foundation, the roof, labour, rented equipment and unforeseen costs\u2014lead us once more to prayer and to ask for help: be part of this historic project and help us bring it to completion.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

All those who support the construction will be considered benefactors and commemorated at Divine Liturgies celebrated at the site.<\/p>\n

Fr Cor\u00eeu hopes to celebrate the first Divine Liturgy in the new church at the end of May 2026.<\/p>\n