Moscow, February 10, 2014
Currently, there is an almost 300-strong Russian community in Hua Hin. About a year ago its representatives asked Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin) to build a church in the town because the nearest church where they could pray was in a Ratchaburi monastery and not everyone could travel there. Funds were raised and a small land plot was bought.
The hierarch also performed a prayer service at the Trinity Church on the island of Phuket and consecrated a new belfry. He also visited the Samui Island where he performed the rite of great consecration of the Ascension Day Church and a liturgy, Moscow Patriarchate said on its website.
Currently, there are active Christian Orthodox churches in Bangkok, Pattaya and on the islands of Phuket and Samui in Thailand. During his trip, which will last until February 17, Archbishop Mark will lay the foundation stone for new churches on the Thai island of Ko Chang, as well as in Sihanoukville and Siem Reap in Cambodia.
