In August Juche 91 (2002), Chairman Kim Jong Il paid a visit to the Russian Far East.
When his train was approaching Khabarovsk, he said he wanted to visit St. Bishop Innokenty of Irkutsk Church, a Russian Orthodox church.
Surprised, the officials accompanying him said, “Only religious believers go there.”
Kim Jong Il responded:
Although I am not a believer, I am going to visit it because religion is also an object of politics. There is nothing wrong with us visiting a church, when the Russians are Orthodox Christians. We must never be narrow-minded but respect the customs of other nations. If we visit the church, we will better understand the traditions of the Russian people and their thoughts, aspirations and wishes, and feel close to the 60 million members of the Orthodox Church.
He explained that a politician ought to have a deep knowledge of religion, and told them about the origins of the Russian Orthodox Church and the history of its development. The Russian Orthodox Church, he said, is recognized as the biggest of the world’s 15 orthodox churches and exerts a considerable influence on state administration in Russia.
At the church, he looked round the area.
Suddenly the bells began to ring, deep and solemn.
Everyone looked in the direction from which the sound of bells was coming.
Pointing to the bell tower, the church superior said that the bell ringers were ringing the bells to welcome Kim Jong Il . He explained that nobody was entitled to ring the bells apart from graduates of the bell-ringing school, and that those who were now ringing the bells were the best ringers at the church.
It was a strict convention of the Russian Orthodox Church to ring the bells at noon, but the church had broken that convention.
“As the Sun has descended to our church, it is quite natural to ring the bells,” he said, putting his hands on his chest and then spreading his arms upward as if cheering.
More From Naenara (En)
The Sci-Tech Complex has recently rendered tangible assistance to the units newly built in line with the regional development
December 28, 2025
The Sci-Tech Complex has recently rendered tangible assistance to the units newly built in line with the regional development
One early evening in August 2009, when the midday heat was still felt, Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Pothonggang Shop newly
December 28, 2025
One early evening in August 2009, when the midday heat was still felt, Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Pothonggang Shop newly
A lecture was given at the Central Youth Hall on December 26 to mark the 53rd anniversary of the enactment of the DPRK
December 28, 2025
A lecture was given at the Central Youth Hall on December 26 to mark the 53rd anniversary of the enactment of the DPRK
People in Kaephung District, Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK, greeted the moment of an auspicious event. An inauguration ceremony
December 28, 2025
People in Kaephung District, Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK, greeted the moment of an auspicious event. An inauguration ceremony
In Yomju County, a northwestern coastal area of the DPRK, modern regional-industry factories have been built as a solid foundation
December 28, 2025
In Yomju County, a northwestern coastal area of the DPRK, modern regional-industry factories have been built as a solid foundation
Over the past 10-odd years, workers’ hostels have been newly built in many units across the country.The workers’ hostel was inaugu
December 28, 2025
Over the past 10-odd years, workers’ hostels have been newly built in many units across the country.The workers’ hostel was inaugu
Fashionable dwelling houses have appeared at the Pumin Farm and Songhung Farm in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province of the
December 28, 2025
Fashionable dwelling houses have appeared at the Pumin Farm and Songhung Farm in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province of the
The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace is a comprehensive extracurricular educational base for schoolchildren. The respected
December 28, 2025
The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace is a comprehensive extracurricular educational base for schoolchildren. The respected
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of greeting to
December 27, 2025
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of greeting to
A public presentation of agricultural workers and members of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea to express impressions on
December 27, 2025
A public presentation of agricultural workers and members of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea to express impressions on
The artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea gave an artistic performance “Pyon
December 27, 2025
The artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea gave an artistic performance “Pyon
Modern houses have been built at farms in Nampho Municipality of the DPRK, showing the new appearance of the socialist modern
December 27, 2025
Modern houses have been built at farms in Nampho Municipality of the DPRK, showing the new appearance of the socialist modern
The workers’ artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea gave an
December 27, 2025
The workers’ artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea gave an
The DPRK reliably guarantees the people-oriented politics of the socialist state by adopting laws, regulations and rules in a
December 27, 2025
The DPRK reliably guarantees the people-oriented politics of the socialist state by adopting laws, regulations and rules in a
Do people like it? This was what Chairman Kim Jong Il always asked during his inspection tours. On December 3, 2006, he visited
December 27, 2025
Do people like it? This was what Chairman Kim Jong Il always asked during his inspection tours. On December 3, 2006, he visited
The Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea stressed that a massive construction
December 27, 2025
The Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea stressed that a massive construction
As the Workers’ Party of Korea’s programme for effecting a rural revolution in the new era proceeds in earnest, a nationwide
December 27, 2025
As the Workers’ Party of Korea’s programme for effecting a rural revolution in the new era proceeds in earnest, a nationwide
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a wreath to the bier of Kim Chang Son, department director of the State Affairs Commission
December 26, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a wreath to the bier of Kim Chang Son, department director of the State Affairs Commission
The following happened when some officials planned the number of the flats to be built in the fourth-stage housing construction in
December 26, 2025
The following happened when some officials planned the number of the flats to be built in the fourth-stage housing construction in
In the DPRK where education is regarded as the foremost state affair, all the people are entitled to learn and provided with
December 26, 2025
In the DPRK where education is regarded as the foremost state affair, all the people are entitled to learn and provided with
More Articles
