Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore visits Thailand

On March 2, 2019, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and South-East Asia, Patriarchal Exarch for South-East Asia, acting administrator of the diocese of Thailand, began his visit to the Kingdom of Thailand.

At the Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, he was met by Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin), secretary of the diocese of Thailand; Archpriest Daniel Vanna, chairman of the Orthodox Church Foundation in Thailand; Rev. Ioann Moroz, head of the Thailand diocesan administration; representatives of the Russian embassy in Thailand; and Hierodeacon Juvenaly (Lapshin) and Sub-deacon Nikolay Sokolov, who had come to Thailand the previous day to organize His Eminence’s visit and to accompany him during it.

That day, Metropolitan Sergiy held a conference with the staff of the Thailand diocesan administration, during which he outlined plans for the organizational structure of the diocese of Thailand and defined details of his visit to the country. In the evening, the Patriarchal Exarch met with the Russian ambassador to Thailand, Yevgeny Tomikhin, who gave a reception at his residence in honour of the high guest.

On March 3, Metropolitan Sergiy, assisted by the clergy of the diocese of Thailand, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Bangkok. Before the service, he ordained Paul (Grita) Srisumoro, a Thai citizen and student of Phuket theological school, as reader and, after that, as sub-deacon. During the Eucharist canon, the Patriarchal Exarch ordained him as deacon.

After the liturgy, Metropolitan Sergiy addressed the congregation. Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin), speaking on behalf of the clergy and laity of the diocese of Thailand, thanked the archpastor for his concern for the good arrangement of the new diocese. In his response, Metropolitan Sergiy conveyed to the congregation a blessing from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and presented the cathedral an icon of the Mother of God and gave Father Oleg a decorated cross.  During the common meal, the faithful could have an informal talk with His Eminence. He also gave an interview to representatives of the TASS and RIA Novosti news agencies.

On March 4, Metropolitan Sergiy visited the Monastery of the Dormition in Petchburi to celebrate the Divine Liturgy there. He administered the cheirothesia to Thai citizen Ratchanont Teikoksung with the Orthodox name of Victor as reader and sub-deacon and after that elevated him to the rank of deacon for service in Orthodox churches in Thailand.

After the common meal, Metropolitan Sergiy held an assembly of the clergy of the diocese of Thailand, during which he reported plans for a speedy arrangement of diocesan life of the exarchate.

Archimandrite Oleg introduced the exarch to the monastery compound with its cells and facilities. At the monastery cemetery, His Eminence said a prayer for all those who are buries there.

On March 5, Metropolitan Sergiy visited Phuket in southern Thailand. Upon his arrival, he proceeded to the church of the Trinity for a thanksgiving. He delivered a pre-Lent homily there, thanked the faithful for the warm welcome and expressed deep satisfaction with the state of affairs in the diocese of Thailand. On behalf of the clergy, Father Oleg presented the metropolitan with a pectoral icon made to mark the foundation of the diocese of Thailand and to commemorate the first ever archpastoral visit to the diocese of Thailand.

After the thanksgiving, His Eminence proceeded to the theological school, where he was welcomed by its rector Hieromonk Paisius (Ipate) and the students. In the school chapel, he venerated the shrines and sang a praise to St. Innocent of Moscow to whom the chapel is dedicated. Then he inspected classes, saw the students’ living conditions and expressed high appreciation of the material support of the educational process.

In the evening of that day, the visit of the Patriarchal Exarch for South-East Asia to Thailand was concluded and he flew out to Seoul, patrirchia.ru reports with reference to the website of the church of the Trinity at Ostankino, Moscow.

DECR Communication Service