Russian Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of Harbin
The Russian Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of Harbin (or Harbin 哈爾濱 of the Russians) is one of only two Apostolic Exarchates (Eastern Catholic pre-diocesan type of jurisdiction, comparable to a Latin Apostolic Vicariate) constituting the Russian Byzantine Catholic Church (in Russian language, without proper chief see), the only other being the Russian Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of Russia.
It is exempt, i.e. directly subject to the Holy See (not part of any ecclesiastical province) and its missionary Roman Congregation for the Oriental Churches.
Its Cathedral episcopal see is now ruined: the former Cathedral of St. Vladimir, in Harbin 哈尔滨, Heilongjiang, PR China.
History
It was established on 1928.05.20 without precursor, on Chinese territory previously not served by the rite, and confided to the Marian Fathers. It has been vacant since 1953, without Apostolic administrator, hence in fact discontinued till further papal notice.
Episcopal ordinaries
- Apostolic Exarchs of Harbin 哈爾濱 (Russian Rite)
- Father Fabijan Abrantowicz, Marian Fathers (M.I.C.) (1928.05.31 – retired 1939), died 1946; no other prelature.
- Fr. Andrzej Cikoto, M.I.C. (1939.10.20 – death 1953.02.13), later Archimandrite (Eastern Abbot); previously Superior General of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception (Marian Fathers) (1933–1939).
