Work has begun on the frescoes of the Dormition of the Theotokos Church at the Russian Embassy in Beijing. Russian artists from Ivanovo are leading the project, according to the "Palekh Iconostasis" workshop. The painting is scheduled to be completed by October 2024.

The church's altar will feature several significant scenes, including the Mother of God with attendants, "Do Not Weep for Me, Mother," "The Prayer in the Garden," and the Assembly of Chinese New Martyrs. The main composition, the Dormition of the Theotokos, will be depicted on the western wall, tying together the overall artistic theme. The decorations will include motifs of wildflowers, symbolizing the connection to Russian nature.

The Dormition of the Theotokos Church is the only active Orthodox church in the Chinese capital and is located within the Russian Federation Embassy in Beijing. The original Dormition Church was built in 1742 but was destroyed in June 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion. A temporary church was constructed by the Russian Spiritual Mission, which stood for about half a century. However, in 1956, after the mission's territory was repurposed for the Soviet Embassy, the church lost its bell tower and was converted into a garage.

In 2002, Orthodox believers residing in Beijing formed an initiative group to restore the Dormition Church. Their appeal to the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate was met with support. The Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly decided to restore the Dormition Church, which was consecrated in 2009.

Photo: Palekh Iconostasis Workshop / vk.com