Archbishop Hilarion leads celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of Orthodoxy in Thailand

A reception was given on 19 December 2009 on behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church to mark the 10th anniversary of Orthodoxy in Thailand. The celebrations were led Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relation as head of an official delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Among the honorary guests were Gen. A. Chantoza, secretary of the Thai Parliament Defense Committee, Russian Ambassador in Thailand E. Afanasyev, Slovakian Ambassador in Thailand V. Putel, the Vatican's Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pinnaccio, as well as Moscow Patriarchate clergy who serve in the Asian-Pacific region.

Archbishop Hilarion congratulated those present on the remarkable event in the spiritual life of the Orthodox community in Thailand, expressing hope that the Russian Orthodox parishes will continue contributing to the development of friendly relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Russian Federation.

The DECR chairman presented church awards to those who worked hared to consolidate the presence of Orthodoxy in Thailand. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the Order of St. Daniel of Moscow was awarded to Ambassador Afanasyev, the Order of St. Innocent of Moscow to Mr. Lyukshin, counselor of the Russian Embassy in Thailand, and Mr. Voronin, first secretary of the Russian Embassy in Thailand, the Medal of St. Daniel of Moscow to Mr. Buntilov, assistant to the Russian Orthodox Church representative in Thailand.

The reception was embellished by the singing of the choir of the ROC Publishing Board, who recited famous hymns and folk songs.

For the Parish of St. Nicholas in Bangkok, Archbishop Hilarion gave to Archimandrite Oleg Cherepanin an icon of the Holy Resurrection.

DECR Communications Service