Head of Moscow Patriarchate’s Secretariat for Foreign Institutions Archbishop Mark of Yegoryevsk has performed the rite of consecration of the foundation stone in a church being built in the name of Holy Great-martyr Panteleimon in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
He also laid the foundation stone in what will be the church in honor of the Our Lady of Kazan icon in another Cambodian town, Siem Reap, Moscow Patriarchate said on its website.
Prior to his visit to Cambodia the archbishop was in Thailand where he consecrated a church and attended a groundbreaking ceremony for another.
Pastoral care to the Orthodox believers in Cambodia is provided by the Russian Church’s representation in Thailand. It was registered by the local authorities in July 2013.
The Russian church was registered in Cambodia as the Orthodox Christian Church of Cambodia (Moscow Patriarchate). It is allowed to open parishes, buy land plots in the Church’s name, build churches, open religious schools and preach freely.