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 Pegae Peak volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The volcano, located
July 06, 2025
The Pegae Peak volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The volcano, located
The education sector is directing greater efforts to establishing an education support system for persons with disabilities.
July 06, 2025
The education sector is directing greater efforts to establishing an education support system for persons with disabilities.
Officials and members of the Socialist Women's Union of Korea met at the Hall of Women on July 4 to hear the stories about noble
July 06, 2025
Officials and members of the Socialist Women's Union of Korea met at the Hall of Women on July 4 to hear the stories about noble
Many countries in the world have streets, institutions, organizations and others named after President Kim Il Sung (April 15,
July 06, 2025
Many countries in the world have streets, institutions, organizations and others named after President Kim Il Sung (April 15,
The 36th Plenary Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of
July 05, 2025
The 36th Plenary Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of
The IT Institute of the High-tech Research and Development Centre under Kim Il Sung University, one of the top ten IT enterprises
July 05, 2025
The IT Institute of the High-tech Research and Development Centre under Kim Il Sung University, one of the top ten IT enterprises
One July day in 1975, Chairman Kim Jong Il gave field guidance at the then Komdok Mine. After wrapping up his schedule, he came to
July 05, 2025
One July day in 1975, Chairman Kim Jong Il gave field guidance at the then Komdok Mine. After wrapping up his schedule, he came to
One July day in 2018 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un paid another visit to the Songmak Atlantic Salmon Pedigree Farm. After
July 05, 2025
One July day in 2018 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un paid another visit to the Songmak Atlantic Salmon Pedigree Farm. After
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea met at the Central Hall of Workers on July 3 to hear storie
July 05, 2025
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea met at the Central Hall of Workers on July 3 to hear storie
The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in the DPRK is overflowing with the great joy and optimism of the people enjoying to the
July 04, 2025
The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in the DPRK is overflowing with the great joy and optimism of the people enjoying to the
The Mudu Peak scoria cone is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The parasitic
July 04, 2025
The Mudu Peak scoria cone is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The parasitic
A spokesperson for the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued the following press statement titled “QUAD should stop unilateral coercive
July 04, 2025
A spokesperson for the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued the following press statement titled “QUAD should stop unilateral coercive
Among Korea’s cultural heritage items is the technique of making janggo (hourglass-shaped drum).Janggo is a traditional percussion
July 04, 2025
Among Korea’s cultural heritage items is the technique of making janggo (hourglass-shaped drum).Janggo is a traditional percussion
The geo-section of Kat Peak is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The peak is
July 03, 2025
The geo-section of Kat Peak is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The peak is
The harvest of wheat and barley is underway in the rural areas across the DPRK. Around June the harvest of the early crops starts
July 03, 2025
The harvest of wheat and barley is underway in the rural areas across the DPRK. Around June the harvest of the early crops starts
The Chollima era is proudly etched in the course of development of the DPRK replete with creations and transformations. In the
July 03, 2025
The Chollima era is proudly etched in the course of development of the DPRK replete with creations and transformations. In the
A spectacular sight of laughter and optimism has been presented at the 4km-long sandy beach of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist
July 03, 2025
A spectacular sight of laughter and optimism has been presented at the 4km-long sandy beach of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist
Korea’s classic Tangunsegi is known to have been compiled by Ri Am in 1363. The book deals with typical events, facts, language,
July 03, 2025
Korea’s classic Tangunsegi is known to have been compiled by Ri Am in 1363. The book deals with typical events, facts, language,
A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University headed by its President Kim Kum Chol left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the
July 02, 2025
A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University headed by its President Kim Kum Chol left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the
Mt Kanbaek volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. It is a volcano with an
July 02, 2025
Mt Kanbaek volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. It is a volcano with an
More Articles
