Appeal from Archimandrite Oleg, Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand Regarding the collection of donations for the construction of a new Orthodox church in Bangkok.
Dear in the Lord, brothers and sisters, all who care about the future of Orthodoxy in the nation of Thailand - peace to you all and a blessing from the Lord!
|
More than 30 million Thai baht was raised for the purchase of land and construction of the temple in Bangkok. Gathered from private donations, which is particularly important to us and what better than any words testify that our nation was and is and will always be Orthodox, despite the futile attempts of ardent atheists, cynical and vicious Christ's scorners, who are trying to kill the soul of the people. «Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered» (Ps.67, 2) - put the sign of the cross, the victory sign, and patiently, with faith and hope in God's help, let us to do the work of God, the work which we are called.
The Foundation Committee of the Orthodox Church is now ready to give a concrete answer on the full cost of construction and decoration of St. Nicholas Church in Bangkok and cancel the earlier decision to suspend the collection of contributions for future expenses.
Currently we are contracted with a construction company in Thailand which has built several Orthodox churches in the country. The overall assessment of building and decorating the church is 16 million Thai baht. Another 3 million baht is needed for the internal decoration: purchase of icons, vestments and liturgical vessels. In total, the construction of an Orthodox temple in Bangkok will require expenditures in the amount of 19 million baht (about 630,000 U.S. dollars).
Given the previous amounts received and expenses associated with the purchase and registration of land, there is a project shortfall of about 4 million baht (about 130,000 U.S. dollars). It is this amount - four million baht that we have to collect.
My dears! I pray to the Lord that He, through the prayers of His saint St. Nicholas, bless our labors. For, after no more than 9 months, by April-May 2013, we may have the new temple’s golden domes and crosses ascending to heaven, «spouting the heaven's forgiveness to the sinful earth».
Endeavor, beloved, to worthily finish this work, continue to the glory of God's to make mercy and sacrifice, wholeheartedly, to reveal the fruit of faith, hope and love for the Lord. «Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved» (Acts 4:12).
As before, the receipt and expenditure of funds is recorded in the official Website of the Orthodox Church in Thailand.
I acknowledge the honest and prudent use of funds donated to the Foundation Committee of the Orthodox Church in Thailand. Tirelessly I remind all workers for the Church of the words of the Biblical prophet: «Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully» (Jer. 48:10).
With a prayer for you all,
Unworthy Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin),
Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand
(See the website of the Orthodox Christian Church in Thailand for donation information.)
