December 12, 2024. Almaty. At the administrative and spiritual-cultural center of the Kazakh Metropolis, named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan chaired an expanded meeting of the Diocesan Council of the Astana-Almaty Diocese.
Participants of the meeting included members of the Diocesan Council: Managing Director of the Kazakh Metropolis Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Bishop Benjamin of Talgar, Dean of Almaty parishes and Rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral Protopriest Valery Zakharov, Dean of the Astana Church District Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev), Chairman of the Religious Education and Catechesis Department of the Kazakh Metropolis and Rector of the Pokrov Church in the Southern Capital Protopriest Evgeny Bobylev, Acting Rector of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary and Head of the Metropolitan Publishing Department Protopriest Evgeny Ivanov, Head of the Metropolis’ Public Relations Department and Secretary of the Diocesan Council Protopriest Alexander Suvorov, Cleric of the Ascension Cathedral in the Southern Capital Protopriest Alexander Ievlev, Chairman of the Educational Mission of the Almaty Diocese and Rector of the Vladimir Church at Chemolgan Station Protopriest Sergius Kazimirov, Chairman of the Metropolis’ Charity and Social Ministry Commission Protopriest Vyacheslav Pugachev, Sacristan of the Dormition Cathedral in Astana Protopriest Dmitry Baydek, Sacristan of the Constantine and Helen Cathedral Protopriest Sergius Kaliev.
Members of the Diocesan Court: Auxiliary Bishop of the Astana Diocese Bishop Clavdian of Taldykorgan, Rector of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” Protopriest Evgeny Vorobyov, Spiritual Father of the Almaty Diocese Archimandrite John (Sazonov), Dean of the Ili Church District Protopriest Alexander Zyryanov, Rector of the Cosmas and Damian Church in Almaty Protopriest Georgy Chistyakov.
The Secretary of the Kazakh Metropolis, Honored Artist of Russia, and Member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Russian Church Singing, O.N. Ovchinnikov, also participated in the meeting.
Metropolitan Alexander summarized the work of the Diocesan Council over the past year and outlined the key commemorative dates to be celebrated in 2025: the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the canonical status of the Kazakh Metropolis; the 225th anniversary of the birth of Archbishop Sophonius (Sokolsky), the first hierarch of the land of Kazakhstan; the 70th anniversary of the repose and 25th anniversary of the uncovering of the relics of Holy Confessor Nicholas, Metropolitan of Almaty and Kazakhstan; and the 50th anniversary of the repose of Holy Confessor and Ascetic Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) of Almaty and Kazakhstan.
The Head of the Metropolis announced a series of planned spiritual-educational, academic, and cultural events to be held in the diocese. As part of the commemorative celebrations, scientific and practical conferences, choral and creative ensemble concerts, and photo exhibitions will be organized in Astana and Almaty. Department and commission leaders were tasked with preparations for the festivities.
During the meeting, in accordance with the diocesan charter, changes were made to the composition of the Diocesan Council, and new department heads were appointed.
His Eminence congratulated the newly appointed department heads and wished them God’s help in fulfilling their duties. The council members approved the agenda for the upcoming diocesan assembly and recommended appointing Hieromonk Prokhor (Yendovitsky) as its secretary.
During the meeting, the Head of the Kazakh Orthodox Church emphasized the importance of expanding the presence of parishes and diocesan departments on social media.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Metropolitan Alexander thanked those present and imparted his archpastoral blessing to all.
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