This memorial church, according to Bishop Mark of Yegoryevsk, secretary of the Moscow Patriarchate on foreign institutions, was built in 1902 in Severny, the residence of the Russian Religious Mission and "witnessed the exploits of Russia's representatives in China."

"It seemed unbelievable that the church could be given a new lease on life," His Eminence Mark said, making a special mention of Mr Putin's personal contribution as President and Prime Minister to the effort. "He acted sincerely and put his soul into it," he stressed.

Mr Putin's made the church a gift of the Smolensk icon of the Mother of God, of the Hodigitria, or Pointer of the Way, type.