From December 27, 2000
In session of the Holy Synod on December 27, 2000 under chairmanship of the Patriarch
The Report of Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department of External Church Communications, concerning the Orthodox flock of the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church, living in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.
Up to the "Cultural Revolution" in China in territory of Three Rivers operated 18 temples and 1 monastery, incorporated in Three Rivers area of the Harbin diocese. In 1967 all temples have been destroyed. Now local Russian population of Ergun City, Hulunbuir Aimag of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Three Rivers) is dispersed on 8-9 settlements and 8,000 person — makes about 10 percent from general population of Ergun City, and in Russian national district with the center in village of Karavannaya (Enhe settlement) its number reaches 30 percent. 2,500 person (the senior generation) are baptized, the others, considering themselves to be of Orthodox faith, would like very much to be baptized. There are also settlements of Orthodox Tungus and Yakuts.
In 1990 the People's Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China has recognized Orthodoxy as the religion traditionally widespread in the territories of that area. In 1999 with support of People's Government of Hulunbuir Aimag in the city of Labdarin was erected of stone the Orthodox temple in honor of Saint Innokenty of Irkutsk with area of 240 square meters. Inside the temple is not appointed, absolutely bare. During parish meeting on December 14, 2000, the head of parish (Gennady Sun) and the treasurer (Michael Flegontov) were elected. Before the parish there is an urgent problem to make internal arrangement and consecration of a temple and to appoint a permanent priest.