Phnom Penh, July 22, 2013
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The representation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand, which administratively includes Cambodia, has received a resolution from the Minister of Cults and Religions of Cambodia regarding the decision made by the government to officially register the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Cambodia as a religious organization, reports Sedmitza.ru.
The request for the state registration of the Moscow Patriarchate in the country was made after the meeting of the Holy Synod in October 4, 2012, which accepted the newly-established parishes in Cambodia (of St. George the Victory-Bearer in Phnom Penh and Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon in Kampong Saon) into the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Moscow Patriarchate was registered on the territory of Cambodia by its authorities as a religious organization under the name, "Orthodox Christian Church of Cambodia (Patriarchate of Moscow)". The decision made by Cambodian authorities allows the opening in Cambodia of Orthodox parishes, the purchase and registration of parcels of land in Cambodia in the name of the Church, the building of churches, opening of theological schools, freedom to preach, and so on. In accordance with the resolution of the Ministry of Cults and Religions of Cambodia, the regional representative of the Russian Orthodox Church Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin) sent notifications of this decision to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
At the present time, upon completion of the registration of the Church bank accounts in Cambodia, fundraising is being planned within all churches of the representation of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Thailand for the purchase of parcels of land and building for Church use in Phnom Penh and Kampong Saon. The regional representation of the Church is also working to supply the Orthodox parishes in Cambodia with permanent clergy.
The representative of the Russian Orthodox Church (Patriarchate of Moscow) in Thailand Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin) has sent letters of gratitude to the king of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni, Great Supreme Cambodian Patriarch of Buddhists Tep Vong, the Minister of Cults and Religions of Cambodia Min Kinh, as well as the embassies of Cambodia in Russia and Thailand.
