TOMSK, RUSSIA: January 30, 2012
Protopriest Seraphim Slobodskoy’s  The Law of God is Translated into Thai

On January 28, 2012, a three-year effort in Thailand on translating Protopriest Seraphim Slobodskoy’s book The Law of God into the Thai language has been completed. This fundamental book contains the basis truths of the Orthodox Christian faith, and comprises 890 pages of text in the new translation.

Work on the translation and publication of The Law of God began with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia during his visit to Thailand in 2001, when he noted the absence of fundamental catechistic materials in the local tongue. The Tomsk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church under His Eminence Archbishop Rostislav of Tomsk and Asinovo provided material support. Over the last two years, over US $15,000 has been provided for this endeavor.

It was not only necessary to translate the text in order to adequately explain Orthodox teachings, but find corresponding concepts, since the Thai language does not contain many of the religious and philosophical understandings common to European culture, and they can be mistranslated, thereby failing to bring the meaning of the text to the reader. The translation was accomplished through several means. Firstly, the Russian-language version of Slobodskoy’s book was used along with the English version. When in doubt, an Anglo-Greek church dictionary was used.

The translation of The Law of God into Thai was done by Priest Danai (Daniel) Vanna, the first Thai Orthodox priest and a graduate of St Petersburg Theological Seminary, Mrs Napatra Aphichataphong, a former official translator of English at the Parliament of Thailand, who now studies at St Petersburg Theological Seminary and a specialist in Russian, Mr Yingsak Satsen. The Chief Editor of the project was the Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand, Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin). The organizational and technical services were assumed by the Orthodox Church Fund of Thailand.

By decision of the Fund’s Committee, several copies of the book were sent to Thailand University, where Russian language and culture are studied, and to other religious institutions in Thailand, as well as educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Every Orthodox Christian of Thailand will be given a free copy of the book, as well as to those who are preparing for Holy Baptism into the Orthodox Church.

The official book launching will be held on February 9, 2012, during an archpastoral visit to the Kingdom of Thailand by His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Egorievsk, Head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Administration of Institutions Abroad.

In light of this great translating and publishing accomplishment to the benefit of the Church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill granted Fr Danai an expedited award, the gold pectoral cross, and to Mrs Aphichataphong the medal of St Evfrosinia, Grand Duchess of Moscow.