Kannari Orthodox Church

Overview

Kannari Orthodox Church stands in Kannari, Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture, a place of worship of the Orthodox Christian faith. It preserves the history of how Orthodoxy spread through Japan's Tohoku region, and its graceful Chapel of the Holy Apostle John is designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. Unlike a bustling tourist spot, it offers a quiet space of prayer and a glimpse into how Christianity was received in Tohoku from the Meiji era onward.

Highlights

• ●The Chapel of the Holy Apostle John, a designated cultural property
• ●A church conveying the history of Orthodoxy in Tohoku
• ●A graceful and serene space of prayer
• ●A local cultural heritage rooted in Kannari, Kurihara

History

The church was built in Kannari as part of the wider movement by which the Japanese Orthodox Church took root across Tohoku. Its central Chapel of the Holy Apostle John is recognized for its architectural and historical value and designated a tangible cultural property. Long protected by local believers, it is a precious cultural heritage where the traditions of the Orthodox Church meet the life of a country town.

Map

38.8100, 141.0735 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Head from central Kurihara toward the Kannari district
2. 2Admire the exterior and presence of the Chapel of Holy Apostle John
3. 3Stroll the surroundings while reflecting on Orthodox history
4. 4Combine the visit with other historic sites and townscapes of Kurihara

Did you know?

💡 In the Orthodox Church, Christ is called Kharisutos, a name derived from Greek and used distinctively by the Japanese Orthodox Church. That such an Orthodox chapel and cultural property lives on in the small town of Kannari speaks to the depth of Tohoku's history of faith.

Nearby spots