Address by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan to the visitors of the “Shroud of Turin” exhibition

August 1, 2025. Astana. The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, delivered a welcoming address to the organizers and visitors of the exhibition “The Shroud of Turin”, which opened at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation on the eve of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions:

Dear organizers and guests,

Together we are taking part in a culturally and spiritually significant event – the opening of the unique exhibition “The Shroud of Turin” in Astana. This scholarly and educational initiative is timed to coincide with the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in the capital of Kazakhstan. This forum regularly brings together prominent religious, political, and public figures from around the world and has become a unique platform for interfaith and interethnic dialogue. It is symbolic that representatives of various confessions and nationalities are also participating in the preparation and hosting of the exhibition.

The Shroud of Turin exhibition introduces visitors to the history and scientific study of a renowned archaeological relic that is often referred to as the “Fifth Gospel.” As a unique sacred object, the Shroud has attracted the attention of scholars and countless pilgrims from ancient times to the present day, awakening interest in the study of Holy Scripture and Biblical history. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Astana, the Order of Malta, and the international charitable foundation Kirche in Not, residents and guests of the capital have a wonderful opportunity to view an exact replica of the Shroud and learn in detail about this mysterious relic, including lesser-known facts.

The burial Shroud of our Lord Jesus Christ is first mentioned in the Gospel, when the apostles, entering the tomb, saw “the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself” (John 20:6–7). As a testimony to the truth of the Resurrection of the Savior, this relic was preserved in the apostolic community. In Orthodoxy, there exists an ancient tradition: in memory of the Lord’s Passion and Burial, on Great Friday – the eve of Holy Pascha – a tomb with the Holy Shroud is placed in the center of the church. This is an icon of Christ in the tomb, symbolizing the burial cloth in which the body of Christ was wrapped.

I am confident that every visitor to the exhibition will discover many fascinating facts, broaden their horizons, and come away with enriching impressions for the soul and heart. The President of our country, Kassym-Jomart Kemelovich Tokayev, has said: “Kazakhstan sets an example to the entire world, demonstrating the importance of interfaith dialogue for building a more peaceful and harmonious global society. Now, as the world continues to remain in a state of political uncertainty, a bridge of convergence between cultures and civilizations is more necessary than ever.”

Undoubtedly, holding the “Shroud of Turin” exhibition in Astana and other cities of the Republic will have great significance for the development of interfaith and intercultural dialogue and will serve the noble cause of strengthening peace and harmony in society.