St. Nicholas Church

　　St. Nicholas Church is situated to the east of Dongzhimen North Street. The establishment of an Eastern Orthodox church in Beijing dates back to 1685 (the 24th year of the Kangxi reign). During the Qing government’s self-defense counterattack in the Battle of Yaksa, Russian invaders were captured. Among the 59 prisoners brought to Beijing was a priest. Emperor Kangxi designated a Guan Yu Temple located in Huyuan Lane within Dongzhimen as a temporary prayer site — this came to be known among locals as the “Luo Cha Miao” or the Russians’ “North Chapel.” After 1689 (the 28th year of the Kangxi reign), the Russian diocese named it St. Nicholas Church (also referred to as St. Sophia Church, later renamed the Church of the Dormition), making it the first Eastern Orthodox church in Beijing.

　　The Eastern Orthodox St. Nicholas Church was destroyed in 1900 but was later rebuilt and renamed the “Zhi Si Tang” (Martyrs' Church). It consisted of the church building, bell tower, Sino-foreign library, priests’ residences, and a widows' quarters. Zhi Si Tang was a typical cruciform Eastern Orthodox church with five arched towers topped with crosses on the roof. After its expansion in 1900, it was renamed the “Martyrs' Church” and commonly referred to as the “North Chapel.”