Construction of a new Orthodox church dedicated to the Apostle Thomas is entering its final stage on the Philippine island of Mindanao, with support from Orthodox faithful in both Russia and the Philippines.

According to the Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi visited the construction site this week, where he led a prayer service and said the long-running project is approaching completion.

During the service, Metropolitan Pavel encouraged parishioners to pray for the successful completion of the church and thanked the local community for its years of dedication to the project. Participants received icons of the Resurrection of Christ and prayer books translated into Cebuano, one of the Philippines' most widely spoken languages.

The church's dome has already been installed, roofing work has been completed, and interior finishing is now underway. A priest and his family have already moved into nearby parish housing, while regular divine services are being held inside the unfinished church.

Construction began in 2019 with the blessing of the foundation stone. The new building replaces a small bamboo-and-stone chapel with an earthen floor that could no longer accommodate the growing Orthodox congregation.

Designed by Russian architects, the church incorporates engineering features intended to withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 9, reflecting Mindanao's high level of seismic activity. Covering approximately 220 square meters (2,370 square feet), it is expected to become one of the largest public buildings in the predominantly bamboo-built village.

The Orthodox community in Kinabalan numbers around 200 faithful and belongs to the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. Orthodox Christianity has seen gradual growth on Mindanao in recent years, with a number of future clergy receiving theological education in Russian seminaries.

Local Orthodox parishes have also developed distinctive liturgical customs shaped by practical conditions. Bell towers are generally absent because the islands have no local bell foundries, and importing heavy church bells is both difficult and costly. Instead, worshippers are traditionally called to services by striking a large metal cylinder.