What is it about?
This study looks at how Chinese and Manchu Orthodox Christians took part in church life and missionary work in China between 1858 and 1917. During this time, the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Beijing began to rely more on local believers. Chinese and Manchu Christians served as teachers, translators, and church singers, and helped spread the Orthodox faith. Although early missionary work was limited, local Orthodox Christians played an important role. Some helped translate church books and even the New Testament into Chinese. After the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, missionary efforts expanded to more parts of China.
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Why is it important?
This study demonstrates that the Russian Orthodox missionaries viewed collaboration with local Chinese Orthodox Christians as crucial for spreading the Orthodox faith in China, and regarded Chinese Christians as a driving force in missionary activities.
Perspectives
Writing this chapter was also an attempt to shed some light on the complex relationships between the Russian Orthodox missionaries, their Chinese Orthodox collaborators, and the first Chinese Orthodox clergy. I also hope to draw scholars’ attention to the Orthodox Mission in China and to remind them of its rich history and its primarily missionary activities, rather than its involvement in political affairs. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Daryl Ireland for his valuable comments, questions, and editorial work, as well as to my wife, Anastasiia Dmitrenko, who cared for our daughter while I was writing this chapter.
Aleksandrs Dmitrenko
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Chinese Orthodox Christians and Their Involvement in Church Life and Missionary Activities, 1858–1917, November 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004741614_014.
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