Church of the Nativity (Magadan)
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The Church of the Nativity at
The church was built largely through the efforts of Father Michael Shields of Anchorage, Alaska who went to Magadan in 1994 specifically to care for those who had suffered in the camps. There are close contacts between Magadan and Anchorage, its twin city. The church also serves the local Polish community.
The parish has about 250 registered parishioners, with 50-80 attending Sunday masses regularly.[1]
History
In January 1991, Anchorage Archbishop Francis Hurley helped a small group of Russians establish the first Roman Catholic parish in the city of Magadan. For many years parishioners worshiped in a renovated apartment room. In 1994, Father Shields became pastor of the Parish of the Nativity but was seriously threatened in 1997 when the local authorities tried to prevent his work on the grounds that he was not Russian. Shields took the matter to court and, perhaps rather surprisingly, won the case.[2]
In early 2001, Father Shields and his assistant Father David Means of
The central part of the structure was completed in 2002, just in time for Christmas mass to be celebrated there. Work on the interior continued in 2003 leading to the church's consecration by Bishop Kirill Klimovich of Irkutsk in 2004.
At January 2019, Father Shields was disallowed to enter Russia because of visa status complications.[1]
Remembering the Martyrs
The church is closely linked to the
Other missions
The Church of the Nativity contributes much to the Magadan community where it continues to serve former prisoners and other less fortunate residents, particularly alcoholics through its own Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. In addition, it has a mission in the coastal village of Ola, Russia, 35 km to the east, where it offers support to the indigenous people who are largely unemployed. There is also a mission in Sokol, near the local airport, offering help to those without employment, including ex-employees of bankrupt Magadan airways.
External links
Footnotes
- ^ a b "Father Shields not allowed to return to Russia until 2022". Catholic Anchor Online. February 2019. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- ^ Judge upholds ruling supporting Fr. Shields’ Magadan ministry Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine, Catholic Anchor, July 19, 2002.
- ^ Icons by Svetlana Ryanitsyna. Retrieved 27 February 2007 Archived April 23, 2007, at the Wayback Machine