73 this work during the 20 years of the existence of the Harbin mission. Despite the mounting troubles, difficulties and growing crises, they endeavored to faithfully follow the path of faith and the Marian vocation, representing their Congregation with dignity all through their service in the existing climate. After Father Fabian Abrantowicz’s departure for Rome in 1939, his duties in Harbin were taken over by Fr. Andrew Cikoto, MIC. On October 20, 1939, he was appointed an exarch for the Russians of the Byzantine-Slavic Rite and for all Catholics of the Eastern Rite, and raised to the rank of Archimandrite. Father Cikoto came to Harbin on December 11, 1939. The following Religious also served there: Fr. Joseph Hermanowicz, Fr. Thomas Podziawo, Br. Anthony Aniśkiewicz, Fr. Ladislaus Mażonas, Br. Bronislaus Ivanauskas, Br. Anthony Zaremba, Br. Stanislaus Bohowicz, and Fr. Cosmas Najłowicz. Taking a panoramic view of the 20 years of the Marian mission in Harbin, it is most important to emphasize the general human and religious-spiritual (ecumenical) value of its activities. The Marians’ service there had an a-typical character. For the lack of parishioners – aside from a 100 plus people (including students) from the St. Nicholas high school – parish work in its strict sense was not conducted. Nor was there any typical missionary work, as to avoid proselytism. There were three educational institutions under the spiritual care of the Marians: the St. Nicholas School, the College of the Ursulines and the Franciscan secondary school. In each of these establishments, there was an Eastern Rite public chapel, accessible not only to the students and the Uniates, but also to the general public. The Marians also conducted works of charity and cared for orphans. Towards the end of the Harbin mission, the St. Nicholas School, which was quite unique, was basically the only work for which the Marians still stayed on. If initially this school – which started as an orphanage and was later transformed into a boarding school – was not regarded in earnest, by the end of the 1930s, it was considered an honor to be among its alumni. Even the Communists spoke favorably of the teaching methods and the teachers. The school was living through a kind of improvement. Its existence was threatened in 1937. The fascist-oriented Manchurian State began fighting private education; however, state authorities were convinced that the schools of the Marians, Ursulines
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