Leaving to different parts of the world the inhabitants of Harbin left behind on the cemeteries of the city the tombs of relatives and nearest and dearest. Clearly therefore it is understandable that on Thursday April 28, 1955 on the day of Radonitsa (remembering the departed) on Dormition cemetery of Harbin was especially many people. There were many inhabitants of Harbin present who were driving off to a virgin soil. The universal memorial service on this day was the last time conducted in history of Harbin by the ruling eparchial bishop. Before its beginning he said " Here, on a cemetery, on this day Radonitsy, came to say goodbye with the died relatives those who are going to a distant journey. The Lord blesses them in their patriotic aspiration! […] Now somehow involuntarily one understands, that we have unification not only in our great language, but also in all our historical past, in our belief and religion […] Here, on a cemetery, have found eternal rest builders of our city, brave defenders and carriers of a glorious Russian name in war of 1904-1905 years, and heroes-liberators - fighters and officers of the Soviet Army. Eternal memory to the dead!" [45.]
In January of 1956, on the feast of Theophany, Bishop Nikandr has headed traditional religious procession and has made "Jordan" on Sungari river. The last time the archpastoral hands immersed the consecrating cross in ice cold waters of the Manchurian river… Having returned from Sungari, at home Vladyka has found a telegram from Moscow, ordering him the schedule of departure from Harbin at the direction of the Moscow Patriarchate. Then preparations and emotional farewells began.
Preparing to leave Harbin for good, Bishop Nikandr, together with the secretary of Harbin Eparchial Council, Father Simeon Korostelev, has published the appeal to all believers of diocese of Harbin: "We are leaving the blessed ground of China and we are going back home, to Fatherland. We have waited long for this day, because we always remained Russian people. And not only us. Many decades years ago, thousand of Russian people under God's will and destiny have been compelled to leave their native country. But wherever the simple Russian person was, he always thought with love and trembling of his Native land where his ancestors were born and lived, where he himself was born and lived. […]We leave to flock our unique precept - to be closer, to our Mother-native land. We shall indefatigably pray for your prompt homecoming. "The world I leave to you, my World I give to you (John 14, 27)" [46.]
On February 27, 1956 in overflowing St. Nicholas Cathedral Bishop Nikandr has served the Divine Liturgy for the last time. All understood, that with his departure this Cathedralceases to be a Cathedral. It was solemn and sad.
At the end of the Liturgy, after moleben, clergy of the Cathedral and Parish Council have handed over to Bishop a touching Address. In it in particular it said: "With a feeling of deep respect, love and fidelity we are bringing to you, kind Vladyka, our deep gratitude for the magnificent service, for that true beauty of spirit, which shines through your valorous standing by God ordained to you bishop's service" [47.]
On this historic day for Harbin, the most Reverend Nikandr was served by the proto-priest Ioann Saerko and Valentin Baryshnikov, the priests Nikolai Paderin (later Bishop Nikander of Rio de Janeiro) and Nikolai Deputatov, protodeacon Simeon Korostelev and Deacon Nikolai Brodyan.
Having said goodbye to the cathedral temple (that demanded a considerable spiritual tension), Vladyka has left for the station where he was greeted by a huge crowd of Harbin inhabitants. The bishop had so long blessed the seeing off, that departure of the train had to be postponed. At last, the "Beijing-Moscow" express train has started from Harbin's platform. But people stood till the viaduct, waving to the leaving train…
[45] Russian word. - Harbin, April 28, 1955
[46] Russian word. - Harbin, February 27, 1956
[47] Address to Bishop Nikandr. Korostelev family archive.