The Diocese of Thailand

The Diocese of Thailand is a diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, uniting 15 parishes and one monastery in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The diocese is part of the Patriarchal Exarchate (Ecclesiastical Province) of Southeast Asia.

Historical Background

The presence of the Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand began with the founding of the Parish of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Bangkok. On December 28, 1999, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, in response to numerous requests from Orthodox believers living in Thailand, resolved to open a parish in Bangkok and appointed Hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin) from the Diocese of Yaroslavl as its first rector.

On December 27, 2001, the Holy Synod established a Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in the Kingdom of Thailand to provide pastoral care and administrative oversight for Orthodox communities in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Hegumen Oleg (Cherepanin) was appointed as the Representative.

With the official registration of the Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand in 2008, the Church was granted the right to establish parishes throughout the country. Over the following years, ten parishes were founded, each with its own permanent church. A theological school was also opened on Phuket Island to train future clergy from among the local faithful. During the same period, two parishes were founded in Cambodia, with churches built for two of them.

On October 21, 2016, the Holy Synod established a Patriarchal Deanery uniting the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Thailand, and appointed Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin) as its first dean. The parishes in Cambodia and Laos were transferred to the jurisdiction of Bishop Sergiy (Chashin) of Solnechnogorsk.

On February 26, 2019, the Holy Synod reorganized the church structures in the region, abolishing the Deanery and establishing the Diocese of Thailand, which includes parishes in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. The title of the diocesan bishop was established as “Bishop of Bangkok and Phnom Penh.” The Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergiy of Singapore, was appointed interim administrator of the Diocese of Thailand.