Orthodox Church (Cathedral of the Virgin Mary)

Orthodox Church (Cathedral of the Virgin Mary)

The Orthodox Church (Cathedral of the Virgin Mary) is a protected cultural heritage site in Shanghai.

The Dongfang Road Orthodox Church is situated at the intersection of Dongfang Road and Xinle Road. It stands out from the surrounding buildings with its appearance resembling a large and typical Islamic church structure.

The Dongfang Road Orthodox Church is located in a busy downtown area, and the church building is very beautiful, giving off a castle-like vibe.

This richly Russian-style Orthodox Church, with its blue round dome and white walls, forms a uniquely charming building—dreamlike from afar and solemn and sacred up close.

This church also has a beautiful name, the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary. The cross atop it shines brilliantly in the sunlight, exuding a mysterious aura.

Orthodox Church architecture

It is an important modern historical site and representative building. Constructed in the 21st year of the Republic of China (1932), it was funded by donations from Orthodox believers and Russian émigrés under the initiative of Bishop Viktor (a Russian émigré) of the Shanghai Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, and is also known as the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary. The architecture features a classic Russian Orthodox church style, with a large semi-circular dome at the center top and four smaller ones at the corners. To the south, there is a two-story building serving as the residence for clergy, with a total construction area of 538 square meters.

The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary resembles the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow and belongs to Byzantine-style architecture, reflecting the architectural characteristics of the Russian national style. The church's dome is covered with a layer of metal shell supported by a wooden frame, perfectly round and full, slightly tapered at the base, resembling an onion shape, with its exterior covered in copper plating. The main dome reaches 35 meters in height and is flanked by four smaller domes. The peacock-blue dome cluster blends seamlessly with the azure sky, giving an impression of dignity and solemnity. The church has a cruciform layout with simple, clean exterior lines. The main body approaches a simple polyhedron, with the top of the front wall revealing the ends of the arches. These semi-circular terminations lend vibrancy and variation to the silhouette, creating a lively and expansive feel. The interior of the church is spacious, adorned with many oil paintings. The front area can accommodate a large choir of 300 people, and the main hall can hold 2,500 worshippers for services.

The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary was completed in February 1936. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the last religious ceremony was held in February 1962, after which the church ceased religious activities. In July 1988, the Shanghai Cultural Relics Management Committee carried out renovations on the church. On March 18, 1994, the Xinle Road Orthodox Church was designated as an Outstanding Historical Building of Shanghai by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government.

Address: No. 55 Xinle Road, Xuhui District (near North Yan’an Road)

Bus: Take bus routes 42, 167, 198, 911, or 920 and get off at South Shaanxi Road & Middle Huaihai Road Station.

Metro: Take Metro Line 1 or Line 10 to South Shaanxi Road Station, then walk about 15 minutes to reach the site;

Or take Metro Line 1 or Line 7 to Changshu Road Station, then walk about 10 minutes to reach the site;

Or take Metro Line 2 or Line 7 to Jing’an Temple Station, then walk about 20 minutes to reach the site.

Opening hours: 06:00–07:00; 15:00–16:00