72 fully adhered to this course of action. He realized that difficulties most often arise from national, cultural and complex historical prejudices. He was radical in his views, he believed that one could not speak to Orthodox Christians about their conversion, about their return to the true faith or the renunciation of mistakes, because it offended them and scared people who did not understand minor theological differences. It was an ecumenical novelty completely rejected by the vast majority of the clergy. At that time, the Catholic clergy treated the Orthodox faith as a heretical, Byzantine-Slavic rite, which they tried to tolerate somehow. The problem had a long history and was very serious. The Marian mission in Harbin functioned from 1928 to 1948. From the very beginning, it manifested profound marks of Abraham’s biblical attitude: the path of faith that he traversed and his intense dialogue with God, a new world... God was the initiator of everything. Problems began to appear already after crossing the border with China (despite the relevant documents which Father Abrantowicz had received from the Holy See): he met with great distrust and difficulties. No religious order was willing to provide hospitality and accommodations. Only after the intervention of the Holy See did the Jesuits allow him to stay in Shanghai for a short time. Upon arriving in Beijing, he was immediately arrested by the Chinese. He was accused of espionage. Once set free, he suffered from rejection and incomprehension. He experienced a certain inner cleansing and emptying out – he lived out the paschal mystery of Christ, which was to end in the future in the ultimate sacrifice of his life. Father Fabian’s correspondence of the day showed traces of pessimism concerning the effect and sense of his further work. He wrote to Card. Sincero that the mission should not have been started, because “the great fire that ignited three years ago left behind only ashes, but since the decree of installation of the Eastern Ordinariate has been officially announced, it is no longer possible to withdraw.” As the only solution, Fr. Fabian saw the possibility of a long-term work, aiming not at conversion, but at bringing closer together the clashing and divided Christians and healing wounds. Great recognition and esteem are due to the priests and brothers of the Congregation of Marian Fathers as well as other people involved in
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