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)
Modern houses have been built at the Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County, South Hamgyong
December 16, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County, South Hamgyong
“I was deeply captivated by the colourful and glossy craftworks.” “The refined and delicate jade works show our people’s
December 16, 2025
“I was deeply captivated by the colourful and glossy craftworks.” “The refined and delicate jade works show our people’s
For the DPRK this year is the fourth year of the implementation of the rural revolution programme in the new era. Throughout the
December 16, 2025
For the DPRK this year is the fourth year of the implementation of the rural revolution programme in the new era. Throughout the
This year’s December 15 marks the 99th founding anniversary of the Saenal Children’s Union, the first of its kind in the country o
December 15, 2025
This year’s December 15 marks the 99th founding anniversary of the Saenal Children’s Union, the first of its kind in the country o
An elderly couple of badminton enthusiasts stole the show at an autumn sports competition of the elderly in October this year.
December 15, 2025
An elderly couple of badminton enthusiasts stole the show at an autumn sports competition of the elderly in October this year.
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province in the DPRK one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers.
December 15, 2025
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province in the DPRK one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers.
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
December 14, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
On November 20, the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, which means the province carried out
December 14, 2025
On November 20, the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, which means the province carried out
On December 6, 2016 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the December 6 Children’s Camp in Kangwon Province. Stepping into th
December 14, 2025
On December 6, 2016 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the December 6 Children’s Camp in Kangwon Province. Stepping into th
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex has established a new process for turning fly ash into raw materials to be widely used in
December 13, 2025
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex has established a new process for turning fly ash into raw materials to be widely used in
The Kangdong County Hospital was inaugurated in the suburbs of the capital city of Pyongyang in November. It is an outcome of the
December 13, 2025
The Kangdong County Hospital was inaugurated in the suburbs of the capital city of Pyongyang in November. It is an outcome of the
One of Korean children’s winter folk games, top spinning is played on ice or on the ground. In winter children play the game
December 13, 2025
One of Korean children’s winter folk games, top spinning is played on ice or on the ground. In winter children play the game
In the era of great change when the grand plan of the Workers’ Party of Korea for rural construction is being translated into
December 13, 2025
In the era of great change when the grand plan of the Workers’ Party of Korea for rural construction is being translated into
Ri Ho Son is an associate professor and PhD in electrical engineering at Pyongyang University of Transport. She became the first
December 12, 2025
Ri Ho Son is an associate professor and PhD in electrical engineering at Pyongyang University of Transport. She became the first
On December 12, 1948, the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung visited the shooting range in the then Phyongchon plain in Pyongyang
December 12, 2025
On December 12, 1948, the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung visited the shooting range in the then Phyongchon plain in Pyongyang
The agricultural workers of the Usan Cotton Farm in Hanggu District, Nampho Municipality and the Konha Farm in Manpho City, Jagang
December 12, 2025
The agricultural workers of the Usan Cotton Farm in Hanggu District, Nampho Municipality and the Konha Farm in Manpho City, Jagang
The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex on December 9. Presented to the
December 11, 2025
The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex on December 9. Presented to the
Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one
December 11, 2025
Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one
Associate Professor Choe Ryon, PhD, teaches at the Faculty of Korean Linguistics of Kim Il Sung University. She won the WIPO
December 11, 2025
Associate Professor Choe Ryon, PhD, teaches at the Faculty of Korean Linguistics of Kim Il Sung University. She won the WIPO
The secretary office of the premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on December 10 informed the
December 11, 2025
The secretary office of the premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on December 10 informed the
More Articles
