Author: Таиландская епархия

On June 10, 2026, as part of his working visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, held a series of meetings with senior representatives of the country’s government authorities.

At the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Patriarchal Exarch met with Vice-president of the country’s legislative body, Ms. Sounthone Xayachak. During the discussion, the parties considered issues related to the further development of the presence of the Russian Orthodox Church in Laos, as well as the implementation of the project to build an Orthodox church dedicated to the Holy Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky in Vientiane. Particular attention was given to matters concerning the formal transfer of the land plot allocated for the church’s construction.

Later that day, Metropolitan Sergiy met with Mr. Bounthavy Phonethasin, Head of the Department of Religious Affairs of the Lao Front for National Construction. The parties discussed current issues of cooperation between the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia and the state authorities of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in the religious sphere, as well as prospects for the further development of the Russian Orthodox parish in Vientiane. During the meeting, both sides expressed their mutual interest in continuing constructive cooperation aimed at ensuring favorable conditions for the spiritual care of Orthodox believers residing in the country.

A separate meeting was held with the Mayor of the Lao capital, Mr. Sililatthongsin Thongpheng. The main topic of the discussion was the construction of the Orthodox church in Vientiane. The participants reviewed in detail practical issues related to completing the procedures for the transfer of the land plot and preparations for the commencement of the design work. The participants noted the significance of the project for strengthening humanitarian, spiritual, and cultural ties between the peoples of Russia and Laos.

Participating in the meetings alongside the Patriarchal Exarch were Sergey Vladimirovich Zhestky, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, members of the Russian diplomatic mission, and clergy of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia.

The meetings were held in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and goodwill. The parties expressed confidence that implementing the project of building a Russian Orthodox church in Vientiane will serve as another evidence of the strengthening of friendly Russian-Lao relations and will contribute to the development of spiritual and cultural cooperation between the peoples of Russia and Laos. It will also promote the further development of the Orthodox community in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

On June 9, 2026, as part of a working visit to Vientiane, the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, visited the land plot designated for the construction of an Orthodox church.

During the site inspection, His Eminence, together with clergy of the Exarchate and representatives of the Russian diplomatic mission, discussed the next stages of the project’s implementation. Based on the site visit, a working meeting was held to address issues related to organizing the construction works and coordinating with local authorities.

Continuing his visit program, the Metropolitan visited the Lao Art Museum, where he got acquainted with Laos’s rich cultural heritage. During the tour, he was presented with sculptures, examples of traditional painting, works by folk artisans, and decorative-applied arts reflecting the centuries-old spiritual and cultural traditions of the Lao people.

рский и Юго-Восточно-Азиатский Сергий, временно управляющий Таиландской епархией, посетил земельный участок, выделенный под строительство православного храма.

В ходе осмотра участка Его Высокопреосвященство вместе с духовенством Экзархата и представителями российской дипломатической миссии обсудил дальнейшие этапы реализации проекта. По итогам встречи состоялось рабочее совещание, посвящённое вопросам организации строительных работ и взаимодействия с местными властями.

Продолжая программу визита, Владыка посетил Музей лаосского искусства, где познакомился с богатым культурным наследием Лаоса. В ходе экскурсии были представлены произведения скульптуры, образцы традиционной живописи, изделия народных мастеров и предметы декоративно-прикладного искусства, отражающие многовековые духовные и культурные традиции лаосского народа.

On June 7, 2026, the First Sunday after Pentecost, the Feast of All Saints, the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, temporary administrator of the Diocese of Thailand, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Right- Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Concelebrating with the archpastor was the rector of the church, Priest Dimitry Lavrentyev.

Present at the Divine service were S.V. Zhestky, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Laos, members of the diplomatic corps, and parishioners of the church.

At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Sergiy addressed those present with a sermon.

On March 2, 2025, Cheesefare Sunday, the commemoration of Adam’s expulsion and Forgiveness Sunday, the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, temporary administrator of the Diocese of Thailand, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and Vespers with the Rite of Forgiveness at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand.

His Eminence was co-served by the clergy of the cathedral: the rector, Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin), Secretary of the Diocese of Thailand; Hieromonk Paisios (Ipate), Dean; Hieromonk Mikhey (Phisayawong); Hieromonk Juvenaliy (Marushchak); and Deacon Mikhail Boroday, the clergy of the Holy Dormition Church in Singapore.

After the dismissal of Vespers, Metropolitan Sergiy read prayers for the beginning of Great Lent and performed the Rite of Forgiveness, during which the archpastor and clergy asked forgiveness from one another and from the congregation.

At the conclusion of the service, Vladyka Sergiy addressed those gathered with spiritual guidance for Great Lent and bestowed his archpastoral blessing.

On February 18, 2025, in the capital of Myanmar, Naypyidaw, a ceremony was held to sign an agreement granting permission for religious activities. The agreement was made between the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the Department of Religious Affairs, and the parish of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia of the Russian Orthodox Church in Myanmar.

The event was attended by the Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar, U Tin Oo Lwin; the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Myanmar, I.K. Azizov; the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan of Singapore and Southeast Asia Sergiy; representatives of the Department for Religious Affairs and Culture in Myanmar; and staff members of the Russian diplomatic corps in Myanmar.

The Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar emphasized the importance of the decision made by the Myanmar authorities to authorize the religious activities of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in the country. He noted that this initiative was prompted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, S.V. Lavrov.

In his address, the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan of Singapore and Southeast Asia Sergiy, expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Myanmar and noted that this event coincides with the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The Patriarchal Exarch assured the Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar, U Tin Oo Lwin, and all those present that the future Orthodox church in Yangon, the largest city in the country, would become a remarkable addition to the city’s landscape. He added that its golden domes would serve as a visible symbol of spiritual closeness and mutual understanding between the peoples of Russia and Myanmar.

On December 9, 2024, at the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) in Vientiane, a meeting was held between the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, with the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mr. Saysomphone Phomvihane.

During the conversation, the Patriarchal Exarch conveyed greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to the Chairman of the National Assembly. Then, Metropolitan Sergiy shared about the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church both in Russia and abroad, as well as about the current state of affairs in the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia.

The archpastor expressed his gratitude to Mr. Saysomphone Phomvihane for his assistance in establishing the parish of the Holy Right-believing Great Prince Alexander Nevsky in Vientiane. In turn, the Chairman of the National Assembly expressed his high appreciation of the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Southeast Asian region. The parties then discussed a wide range of issues covering various aspects of cooperation and interaction.

The meeting was attended by: Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Mr. Sanya Phraseut; Chairman of the Ethnic Affairs Committee Mr. Khamchan Sotapaseut; Deputy Chairman of the Lao Front for National Development Ms. Inlawan Keobounphan; Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Nisith Keopanya; Rector of the Parish of the Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky in Vientiane, Priest Dimitry Lavrentiev; representatives of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Laos.

On November 26-27, the roundtable “The Russian Orthodox Church and Compatriots: Experience of Cooperation in Asia and Australia” was held in Bangkok, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, headed by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations.

The roundtable was attended by hierarchs, clergy, and laity of the Russian Orthodox Church, representatives of organizations of Russian compatriots from Asia and Australia, including the Patriarchal Exarch for Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore and Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi, Archbishop Theofan of Korea, and Bishop Pitirim of Jakarta, vicar of the Diocese of Singapore. There was also a church delegation accompanying the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations.

Among the participants were representatives of public organizations of compatriots and Russian diplomats.

The forum was organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate with the support of the “Russkiy Mir” (“Russian World”) Foundation. The events on similar topics were also held earlier in Brussels, Buenos Aires, Beijing, San Francisco, Johannesburg, Rome, Berlin, Rabat, Seoul, and Budapest. They were held as a continuation of the joint initiative of the Department for External Church Relations and the Department for Work with Compatriots of the Russian Foreign Ministry implemented in 2009.

The meeting was opened by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, who conveyed greetings and blessings from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

As Metropolitan Anthony noted, the main concern of the Russian Church for compatriots who found themselves outside their Motherland, is pastoral care, spiritual support and consolation. “It has long been noted that church parishes, being in a sense, islands of the Fatherland in a foreign land, have naturally become a centre of spiritual and cultural life for our brothers and sisters. In the parishes, people can pray together, talk about their pressing problems, and simply communicate in their native language”, – emphasized the DECR chairman. 

At present, the parishes and church communities of the Moscow Patriarchate operate in almost a hundred countries of the world, where around two thousand clergy and clergymen serve. As the hierarch noted, the church communities abroad help compatriots to smoothly enter the social environment of the host country and preserve their spiritual and cultural identity. Events organized by the church communities themselves or with their direct participation are held in the parishes, Sunday schools are created, educational activities are carried out, assistance is provided to compatriots in mastering the local language and preserving their native language as well as in finding a job, and consultations on legal and social issues are held. Together with Russian embassies, Russian houses, Russian centres of science and culture, organisations of compatriots and their associations, cultural and educational events are held: lectures, pastoral meetings, art exhibitions, charity events, fundraisers for those in need as well as events dedicated to memorable historical dates and holidays.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill has repeatedly said in his speeches that church life and church mission should not be limited to church itself, as the DECR chairman reminded, expressing his confidence that these words are even more relevant to the institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church abroad. “It is gratifying that today the parishes are developing not only religious, but also social activities,” – emphasized vladyka Anthony. “And this is, first of all, related to the influx of new people. The profile of today’s compatriots is changing: there are more and more young and energetic people among them, who are able to serve the development of the parish life with their strength and talents. The Church is also trying to send to the parishes abroad young pastors, who are ready to galvanize the church activity.” 

Touching upon the life of the Patriarchal Exarchate of South-East Asia, on the territory of which the current meeting is taking place, the DECR chairman pointed out that thanks to the missionary and educational work of the Patriarchal Exarch, archpastors and pastors, the church life in the parishes of the Exarchate is consistently developing in its various directions. A special mention was made of the Exarchate’s active social work, which covers many people living in the countries of the region. “We are pleased to see the increase in the number of parishioners both from among local residents and our compatriots. We see this as a guarantee of the future of Orthodoxy in Southeast Asia,” – emphasized Metropolitan Anthony. “Such hope is supported by the concern of the hierarchy of the Exarchate for the preparation of the clergy from among the local population.” 

Metropolitan Anthony expressed hope that the work within the round table would make it possible to discuss the entire range of the existing issues and also wished the present archpastors and clergy God’s help in their responsible service, which they are carrying out in challenging conditions far beyond the borders of their native land, helping their compatriots to preserve the faith of their ancestors, spiritual traditions, and culture.

During the sessions, speeches were also made by other participants of the round table.

During the two days of the forum, a fruitful exchange of views took place on ways to develop cooperation between the Church, the state, and organizations of compatriots.