Earth from Russian sailors' graves in Japan and China brought to Varyag memorial

On Saturday a divine service at the memorial for the rank-and-file of the Varyag legendary cruiser was held at the maritime cemetery of Vladivostok (Russia's Pacific port).

Earth from Russian sailors' graves in the Nagasaki port in Japan and the Chinese city of Lushun (former Russian Port Arthur) was laid at the foot of the monument, RIA Novosti was told at the Vladivostok diocese.

The laying of the earth was held on the Orthodox holiday - Trinity Memorial Saturday, when the Orthodox Church commemorates all the dead.

Earth from Russian graves in Asia was taken in April, when the Orthodox maritime procession was held on the Pallada sailing cruiser of the Far Eastern Maritime State University.

The spiritual mission Be Blessed, Far East honored the 100th anniversary of the heroic defense of Port Arthur in the Russo-Japanese War. The Pallada sailing cruiser made voyages to ports in Japan, China and South Korea.

On its board was the Port Arthur icon Festivities of Our Lady, marking its 100th anniversary this year.

120 naval cadets from Vladivostok and Nakhodka, Orthodox clergymen attended sea graves of Russian ships and graves of Russian sailors.

In all, the Pallada sailing vessel has covered over 6,000 nautical miles.

The Varyag cruiser and the Koreyets gunboat heroically fought against the superior enemy forces at the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War in the Korean port of Chemulpo in February 1904. They won several victories fighting against odds. Seeing no way out, the crew of the cruiser sank it.