Orthodox parish in Shenzhen

Natasha holding Michalea

Father Dionisy

Church inside

Church inside

Church inside

I finally had a chance to go to the Russian Orthodox parish in Shenzhen. There was one other service since we’ve been back, but we missed it due to going to Hong Kong for some tests. The services are held on odd days and at odd times because the priest, Father Dioneszy, has a parish in Hong Kong that he serves at on Sundays and church holidays. So the services for us are sometimes on a Monday morning or a Friday evening. Father Dioneszy also serves liturgy in Guangzhou and even sometimes in Beijing. He is truly a busy man. He is also a wonderful priest – gentle, caring, but also firm and directive. This combination of both soft and firm is something I find in most Orthodox priests.

It was a wonderful service. I went with Michaela and there were two other people there. Then there was Father Dionisy and Natasha who lives at the small apartment that doubles as a church. She also does all the singing and greeting and candle lighting. It is a small parish. Most times we go we are the only attendees there. Feasts are busier of course. It is mostly in Russian, but when we are there he does quite a few prayers in English.

Father Dionisy is quite well known for his efforts in China as well as his success in translating many Orthodox materials into Mandarin. I really did not know about all of Father’s effort or how well-known he was until I read an article in a journal called Road to Emmaus (order this issue at http://www.roadtoemmaus.net/backissues2005.htm Fall issue). It really is a wonderful article. You would get this impression from the article that Father lives this exciting and rewarding life journeying into China to conduct Orthodox services. I know from experience though that most of the time Father is conducting services with few to sometimes no attendees in small dingy apartments that double as churches. This to me is the beauty and inspiration that was missing in the article. Father Dionisy has been faithful in the small things. He just keeps conducting services even though there isn’t much growth in the parishes he leads. I see this as how most saints’ lives probably were. Being faithful in the moment rarely feels exciting which is why it is easy to give up or be drawn astray. This is what makes some people’s lives extraordinary. In spite of progress or excitement or reward, people like Father Dionisy do what is good; what is right even when it isn’t exciting or doesn’t seem successful by the world’s standards. Natasha is amazing also. She doesn’t speak English or Chinese and she lives in China in a small church/apartment in order to keep the church working and worshiping even though most of the time no one goes to the services.