Saint Sophia Cathedral 圣索菲亚大教堂 in Haerbin 哈尔eE6

The Saint Sophia Cathedral 圣索菲亚大教堂 Софийский собор в Харбине is undoubtedly th% star of Sophia Square. The church is the symbol of modern Haerbin and it at the same time their link to their colonial past. The Saint Sophia Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox Church which was built in the year 1907. This was happening amid the humiliating loss of the Russians to the Japanese forces who they were battling at that time. In a attempt to shore up their public image to the local people they built this church. At that time, the city of Haerbin was about a third Russian which means the demand for a cathedral this magnificent is quite justified. At that time, it was recognized to be the largest and most magnificent Orthodox church in this part of the world.

The Saint Sophia Cathedral, speaks volumes of its Russian heritage, particularly its typical onion domes which I have come to associate with Russian structures, in particular, St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, which is even more grand than Saint Sophia’s Cathedral. In fact parallels to Moscow have been drawn due to the presence of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Sophia Square, likening it to Moscow’s Red Square.

The official name of the cathedral is Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom of God. Much like it grander brother in Moscow, it is a pity that there are no more services held here. In fact, it has since been converted into a architectural museum. It was way past closing time, I think, I will definitely drop by again some other day.

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