On April 26, 2026, the third Sunday after Holy Pascha, the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, a significant event in the life of the Russian-speaking flock took place in the South Korean city of Gwangju: a new parish of the Russian Orthodox Church was established. The parish is named in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.

The opening of the parish was prompted by requests from the faithful. Gwangju is the sixth-largest metropolis in the Republic of Korea, home to a large Russian-speaking diaspora. For a long time, Orthodox Christians in this region were deprived of the opportunity to regularly participate in divine services due to the significant distance from existing churches of the Korean Diocese.

The first Divine Liturgy in the newly formed parish was celebrated by His Eminence Theofan, Archbishop of Korea. His Eminence was assisted by Hierodeacon Nektarios (Lim).

Before the Liturgy, His Eminence performed a prayer service with the blessing of water, after which he sprinkled the walls of the parish building with holy water.

The first service in Gwangju was attended not only by local residents but also by Orthodox believers from Mokpo, Yeosu, and other cities in Jeollanam-do Province, of which Gwangju is the historical center. Many parishioners were able to receive the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion for the first time in a long time.

For now, the parish is located in rented premises. However, as Archbishop Theofan noted in his sermon, the most important thing has already happened: the Lord has granted the faithful the opportunity to offer prayers together and participate in the Sacraments.

Following the Liturgy, His Eminence congratulated the congregation on this long-awaited event and called on everyone to work towards the further development of parish life and the construction of the future church. The celebrations concluded with a fraternal meal and fellowship between His Eminence and parishioners.

Press Service of the Korean Diocese