Православная миссия в Таиланде в 1999-2014 гг. | страница 54
11 Borisov L. The mentioned work.
In November – December 2009 the Orthodox Thai Stefan Srisunon was trained at the Seminary in Tomsk. And though Stefan was unable to continue training because of his family circumstances he kept a very good memory of his short training in Tomsk.12
12 The cooperation of the Tomsk diocese of the Orthodox mission in Thailand http://www.orthodox.or.th/index.php?content=literature&subcontent=Thailand Tomsk&lang=ru (date of access: 03.08.2014).
These catechetical courses were organized at the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand in 2010. In 2010 eight people studied at the courses, two of them were sent to continue training at the theological Seminary in St. Petersburg.13
13 The results of the activities of the Church in Thailand for the year 2010. http://www.orthodox.or.th./documents/ru/pdf/report_Orthodox_Church_Thailand_2010.pdf (date of access: 03.08.2014).
Some reasons why Thais accept Orthodoxy partly discloses an interview with one of the Thai girls who was baptized in Holy Trinity Church on the island Phuket.
Krisia (this is the name she received in baptism) said: “My father is Catholic, he is from the USA, my mother adheres to Buddhism and often goes to pray to the monastery like my older brother and sister. I also know a lot about Buddhism, because it is my religious belief. We are a very friendly family, we help each other in everything. My mother took care of the landscaping of the garden of the Church – together with the workers planted flowers, cared for the trees, covered a lawn. I was in the Church together with her. Earlier I read about Jesus Christ, but now I was in His temple, and it was a completely different experience… From that moment I began to try to learn about Jesus Christ and Orthodoxy. The Bible became my constant book. I loved Christianity forever. To my choice of Christianity the family reacted calmly, saying that “it’s my choice, they respect it”. Moreover, they saw that I was well in the Orthodox Church, I rejoice, and I cried less, than it was before”.14
14 God`s love touched my heart. / Orthodox Thailand. 2013. №4 (4).
Krisia describes the external manifestations of her belonging to Orthodoxy as follows: “There are icons in my room next to the bed, among them there is an icon of my Holy, which I wrote under the guidance at the icon-painting workshop at the temple. I pray to God before the icons, and no one in my family who believes in Buddhism, has never prevented me or mocked me. My mother takes me to the Church every Sunday and often communicates with other believers. <…> After christening I felt so much love that I think it will suffice for everybody. I have never loved animals, because I`m allergic to the coat of many of them, now I just don’t pay attention to it. I stopped being mad and became less fussing, especially with my brother. It happens for itself. I began to feel in my chest a warm heart that wants to help other people”.15