Religion

39 registered religious organizations are operating in the region in 2007, December1.

Russian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy has the main conducting position. On the territory of the region there are 19 organizations of Russian Orthodox Church. Also two Jewish communities actively work. Besides the Protestant religious organizations are presented as well.

In the beginning of the 20-th century on the territory, which the region occupies now, there were more than two tens churches. None of them was kept by now. Revival of orthodox churches of the region began in Birobidzhan city. There were no any churches before. The first one has appeared here in 1991 in Kirov Street. It used to be a former building of People's Court. One more church has appeared in Birobidzhan at the end of 1994. A former kindergarten of "Nadezhda" industrial and trading company  (nowadays this is a building of "Elegant" joint-stock company) was given to the parish of Sacred Great martyr and Healer Panteleimon. That parish became a unique one not only in the Jewish Autonomous Region, but also among orthodox temples of Siberia and the Far East. Besides its religious purpose, it had functions of social service: parish hospital and a charitable dining room have been opened.

Now in the Jewish Autonomous Region orthodox parishes are in all districts of the region – in the villages of Ekaterino-Nikol'skoye, Leninskoye, settlements of Nikolaevka, Kuldur, Teploozersk, city of Obluchye and other settlements. But all of them are in the adapted premises. The first specially constructed church has appeared in the regional centre in 1999. The holiday service was held here in December, 19, 1999 on a day of Saint Nikolay the Wonderworker. The first church was called after him.

One more temple has appeared in Birobidzhan at the end of 2001. It is a chapel constructed in the memory of the soldiers perishing for Fatherland. It was settled down in the downtown of Birobidzhan – in the Square of Victory. The idea of creation of this unusual monument belongs to a public organization of soldiers - internationalists. The candles are burning always in the chapel during the memorial days.

Until recently all orthodox parishes of the region were a part of the Khabarovsk diocese. In October, 2002 on the territory of the Jewish Autonomous Region the independent Birobidzhan diocese, which was headed by bishop of Birobidzhan and Kuldur Joseph (Balabanov), was formed.

In September, 2005 in Birobidzhan the Cathedral of the Annunciation was opened. It is the first stone cathedral in the region.

Construction of the cathedral has been finished for two years. In the cathedral the basic relics of the diocese - Iverskaya icon of the Mother of God written and consecrated on sacred Athos mountain, and relic of saint Innokenty, the metropolitan Moscow and Kolomna as well.

In September, 2007 the social and educational centre located near a cathedral began its work.

In February, 2004 the Agreement on cooperation of the Government of the Jewish Autonomous Region and the Birobidzhan diocese of Russian Orthodox Church was signed. Within the framework of the Agreement interaction on the questions of perfection of patriotic education, spiritual and moral education of youth, and acquaintance with the historical and spiritual and cultural heritage of orthodoxy was conducted.

The Government of the region together with the Birobidzhan diocese will carry out scientific and practical conferences. In 2005 conference "Spiritual and moral bases of education and culture" was held. Since 2006 Innokentyevskiye readings have been carried out in a name of Saint Innokenty (Veniaminov). The first readings were held in 2006 on a subject "Church and society: development of mutual relations in the Jewish Autonomous Region". The second readings were held in March, 2007.

Big attention is given by the diocese to the social service. In many parishes of the region there are the charitable dining rooms where people daily may have hot food. Each parish distributes clothes for poor people. Pensioners are given much attention by the diocese as well. They are assisted in purchase of medicines, and regularly meet with them, it is so necessary for older persons.

Annually charitable children’s summer camps work at the parishes.

In October, 28 in Razdolnoye village the solemn service devoted to the opening of a convent named after Saint Innokentiy, the metropolitan of Moscow, was held. It was never before such a convent in the region. The appropriate decision of the Holy Synod was signed on the eve by Aleksiy the Second, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

Today three lay sisters live in a convent. It is supposed, that after the opening of a nunnery, a local church and a big monastic home will be constructed.

Freud Birobidzhan Jewish Religious Community was organized in June, 1997. In November, 2000 a community centre was opened. The chapel hall, library, computer classroom and Hesed Charitable Service were located there. This service does great work. They help poor dwellers of the region. The service provides them with free medicine and medical rehabilitation equipment.

The first synagogue in the region was opened in autumn 2004; it is not situated in the adapted building, but in the house built specially for this purpose.

A charitable canteen was opened with the sponsorship of the Joint American Jewish Distributing Committee in Birobidzhan, where everyday 50 poor and lonely people eat. Alike charitable canteen works in the village of Amurzet in the Oktyabrskiy district. Canteens were opened with the sponsor support from South Korea in the district centers - the settlements of Leninskoye and Smidovich - where poor dwellers eat regardless of their nationality.

The Birobidzhan Jewish National University works in cooperation with the religious community; it is unique in the Russian Far East. The basis of the training course is study of the Hebrew language, history and classic Jewish texts.

The community activities include work of creative teams. There are the Haverim Youth Club, women's club, club of former infant ghetto and concentration camp prisoners, the Einikait Cultural and Enlightenment Society. Members of the club hold cognitive events, celebrate together Jewish holidays. The Jewish religious community publishes Obschina (Community) newspaper.

Protestant religious organizations also work in the region. The activities of all religious organizations satisfy their charter purposes and tasks. There is a trend to join the Protestant churches for carrying out cultural, enlightenment and charitable events. There is a Hope All-Russia Action Organizing Committee had been working in the region for three years already. The project’s core is to engage various Christians to the personal Annunciation. Evangelical programs were broadcasted by the RTR TV channel and articles were published in Rossiiskaya Gazeta daily. Voshozhdenie (Ascension) and Obet Vernosti (Oath of Faith) films were shown in our region within the framework of the program. The Department of Public Affairs, Mass Media and Culture Department render organization help to show films in cinema-theatres of Birobidzhan and in region district clubs.

The biggest religious organizations of the Jewish Autonomous Region