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27 November 2008

Orthodoxy representatives took part in European Union Film Festival opening in Bangkok.

Invited by the Ambassador of France Laurent Bili, Ambassador and President spokesman of the European Union in Thailand Friedrich Hamburger, Head of the European Union Delegation in Thailand, Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) Representative in Thailand hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin) and Chairman of the Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation deacon Daniel Wanna participated in the opening ceremony of European Union Film Festival 2008.

After a reception organized by European Union Delegation on this occasion, the guests were offered a French film “Ulzhan”. Hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin) noted the importance of cultural exchange between Europe and Asia that allows people from various countries become familiar with cultural phenomena of each other, including the best examples of contemporary film-making industry.

26 November 2008

Aggravation of the political situation in Thailand.

The intensifying clash is related to mass protests by the members of Thailand's oppositional organization called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). On 25th of November Bangkok International Airport was closed. The oppositioners blocked the airport and demanded the resignation of Thailand's PM Somchai Wongsavat. At night the difficult situation in Bangkok remained: several people were wounded by explosions. In the airport more than 3 thousand people are waiting, including hundreds of Russians. The airport is constantly monitored by Russian Embassy's diplomats for assisting Russian citizens with their airlines and tour operators coordination.

Russian Department of Foreign Affairs recommended Russian citizens to abstain from visiting Thailand for any purposes because of the unstable situation in the country. Emergency headquarters is operating 24 hours a day in Russian Embassy and a hotline is open. You can call the following numbers for getting all the needed information concerning the situation in Thailand: 8-10-662-234-20-12 and 8-10-662-268-11-77.

The divine service in St. Nicholas' Chapel in Bangkok is performed on a regular basis. However, due to the fact that the chapel is in the government district of Thai capital city, it's difficult to get there. For the faithful, there are no other complications connected with the political crisis.

14 November 2008

Nationwide mourning in Thailand.

Her Royal Highness Princess GALYANI VADHANA (photo published by the Royal Court Bureau)

On the occasion of H.R.H. Princess GALYANI VADHANA's body cremation, 14, 15 and 16 of November became the nationwide mourning days. In governmental organizations the national flags will be lowered. The cremation ceremony itself will be prolonged from 14 to 19 of November. On Saturday, November 15, Her Royal Highness's body will be committed to fire.

Princess Galyani Vadhana is His Majesty King of Thailand Phumiphon Adunyadet (Rama IX)'s elder sister. She deceased on Wednesday, January the 2nd, 2008, at the age of 84 years. By the Buddhist tradition the body cremation is conducted after the 100th day after death.

Orthodox believers in Thailand, along with the feeling of sorrow for the deceased, are prayerfully thinking of Her Royal Highness, paying the debt of memory and grave devoirs.

On the day of Her Majesty Princess GALYANI VADHANA's death Representative of Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Thailand directed a letter of condolences to His Majesty King of Thailand. His Majesty replied with gratitude to the sincere feelings of Russian Orthodox Church.

14 November 2008

Representative of Russian Orthodox Church visited Bangkwang central prison in Bangkok.

Representative of Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Thailand hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin) with the permission of authority of Ministry of Justice's Department of Corrections in Thailand visited Bangkwang Thailand's central, high-security prison for men, where the prisoners sentenced to high-security isolation are held. The objective of the visit was pastoral care for Russians held there and examining the conditions of their confinement. Hegumen Oleg was allowed to meet the imprisoned compatriots and have a conversation with them for an hour. After meeting the prisoners hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin) also had a conversation with their relatives. This visit of the Representative of Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Thailand took place thanks to Russian Embassy in Thailand's assistance. Hegumen Oleg intends to have a consultation with the Russian employees of the embassy based on this visit.

In the picture: prisoners in Bangkwang central in Bangkok (the photo was taken from www.correct.go.th)

10 November 2008

Official meeting with the province administration of Phuket

Chairman of Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation deacon Daniel Wanna's official meeting with the province administration took place on Phuket island. During the meeting Daniel Wanna was granted an Administration certificate of the official permission for building an Orthodox chapel on the island and using the acquired land parcel for religious purposes. As stated in the document, the special commission «got acquainted with the plans of Orthodox Church in Thailand's activity, examined the plot of land suggested for chapel construction, conducted a survey among people who lived close to the area, and didn't find any obstacles for such a construction». The document especially mentions lack of not only Orthodox, but any Christian chapels in that area.

Deacon Daniel Wanna on behalf of the Orthodox believers in Thailand expressed thanks to the province administration and assured that the presence of an Orthodox chapel not only would help normalize the spiritual life of the Orthodox believers, but also would increase the flow of tourists from Russia and CIS. Daniel Wanna also had working meetings in the land and building departments of Phuket administration.

09 November 2008

Chairman of Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation officially met the members of Phuket province's government.

On the invitation of a famous Thai business and public figure, the Honorary Consul of Russia in Thailand (Phuket Province) Mr. Supakit Chiravanon, Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) Representative in Thailand hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin) visited the city of Phuket, where he performed a sanctification of the representation office of the Honorary Counsil of Russia.

After a prayer on this occasion, hegumen Oleg in his speech to the faithful noted the urgency of organizing an honorary consulate on Phuket because of the increasing number of Russian-speaking tourists. Hegumen Oleg also voiced the hope that the Honorary Consul of Russia in Thailand's office on Phuket would become the place where out fellow countrymen who needed help and support would find good advice and understanding.

Among those who were present during the office sanctification, alongside with the Honorary Consul and his personnel, were the Consul of Russian Federation in Thailand Mr. A.V. Dvornikov, Administration of Russian-Thai Trade Association, representatives of commercial companies and business groups and numerous Russian citizens living and working in Phuket province. After the sanctification, on the Honorary Consul's behalf a reception was organized.

During his trip hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin) was accompanied by St. Nicholas' Chapel in Bangkok's clergyman, Chairman of Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation deacon Daniel Wanna

08 November 2008

There was an emergency session of Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation Committee.

An emergency session of Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation Committee and Charity Commission of St. Nicholas' Chapel took place in Bangkok. There was only one problem on the agenda - offering urgent financial aid for the treatment of Oksana Kalmykova, parishioner of St. Nicholas' Chapel, Ukrainian citizen, 26 years old. Chairman of Orthodox Church in Thailand Committee deacon Daniel Wanna and treasurer of St. Nicholas Chapel in Bangkok Dr. Vladimir Buntilov reported on current status of the financial situation of the Foundation and the parish and on the possibility to offer financial aid for Oksana Kalmykova's treatment. Russian Orthodox Church Representative's appeal to the Orthodox congregation in Thailand to offer financial support was also heard and approved. The suggestion of Chapel'a parish council Mr. Mayari de Valeri to ask Orthodox parish of Holy Trinity on Phuket and parish of all saints in Patthaya for financial aid was accepted.

Oksana Kalmykova, 26 years old, in grave condition is now in hospital.

Although now there aren't enough financial resources for Oksana's cure, Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation will offer financial guarantee to cover all the expenses for its parishioner's treatment in Sirirach hospital where she is at the moment.

06 November 2008

An ecumenical community representative from Teze (France) visited St. Nicholas' parish in Bangkok.

Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) Representation in the Kingdom of Thailand was visited by a member of Christian community from Teze (France) Brother Ghislain and Thailand's Finnish Lutheran mission head Jukko Helle. They were welcomed by hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin).

in the picture: "Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand Representative hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin) (center), Jukko Helle, Thailand's Finnish Lutheran mission head (right), Brother Ghislain - member of ecumenic community from Teze (France) (left) near the Chapel of Saint Nicholas Wonder-Worker, Arch-Bishop of Mira in Lycia.

During the meeting different aspects of inter-church relationship were discussed, as well as the prospects of ecumenic activities of different Christian communities in Thailand. The visitors showed sympathetic understanding of the Orthodoxes' decision to abstain from joint prayer with non-Orthodoxes, that not being an obstacle to good personal relations between Christians of different confessions, their witnessing of Christ in the modern world and public service to the society. Specific plans on helping socially unprotected people were also outlined.

05 November 2008

There was a presentation of Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation's educational grants.

Representative of Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Thailand hegumen Oleg Cherepanin, accompanied by Chairman of Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation deacon Daniel Wanna, visited a technological college in the province of Prachinburi, in 160 kilometers from Bangkok. Upon his arrival, hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin) and deacon Daniel Wanna were met by the college administration. Afterwards they familiarized themselves with the conditions and the process of education, followed by a conversation with the students. During that meeting the students were awarded educational grants of Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation for the second semester of their education. In his speech to those who were present hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin) told about Russian Orthodox Church and the historical connections between Russia and Thailand (Siam), which were established as far back as Rama V (Chulalongkorn), King of Siam, and Nicholas II (Romanov), Emperor of All Russia's times. Deacon Daniel Wanna, presenting the paychecks to the scholarship owners of the Foundation, noted that young people needed to be patriots of their motherland and worthy subjects of His Majesty The King of Thailand, trying to master the skills in order to be of maximum use to their country.

In the picture: hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin), Representative of Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand (Moscow Patriarchate)'s speech to the college students.

The administration and the students of the college heartily thanked the Orthodox Church for the help and care. Some plans of the Orthodox community and Prachitburi's technological college's collaboration, were outlined as well.

In the picture: Chairman of Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation deacon Daniel Wanna presents the paychecks to those students who proved worthy the educational grants of the Foundation.

03 November 2008

Thailand's Orthodox believers abstained from another interconfessional meeting.

Another interconfessional meeting of different Christian confession representatives took place in Bangkok. The topic of the meeting was search for the possibility of the evidence of Christian unity. Orthodox Church in Thailand (Moscow Patriarchate) received a corresponding invitation to this meeting.

Having examined the invitation received, the participation format of Orthodoxy representatives and the agenda, a decision was made to abstain from taking part in the interconfessional meeting, as it, in spite of Orthodox participants' opinion declared, started specific and detailed discussion of a joint divine service during Christmas, including a joint cross procession of Christians from various denominations.

On behalf of Orthodox believers in Thailand, the clergyman of St. Nicholas' Chapel by Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) Representation, Chairman of Orthodox Church in Thailand Foundation deacon Daniel Wanna was given the job to present respects to the non-Orthodox brothers and sisters and to bring to the attention of Orthodox Church in Thailand's opinion concerning Christian unity. Based on church canons and the decision of the Assembly of Russian Orthodox Church Hierarchs in 2000 stated in the document «The main principles of treating non-Orthodox confessions», the Orthodoxes understand the Christian unity first of all as unity of Ordinances and the Eucharist. Without such an understanding, joint divine service would be a profanation of the God-commanded unity. However, in Orthodox believers' opinion, Christians of all confessions can and should be united in their public service for the society.