December 18, 2024. Moscow. A meeting between the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolis, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, and the Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Grigory of Voskresensk, took place at the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in Danilov Monastery.
After exchanging greetings, Metropolitan Alexander informed Metropolitan Grigory about the key events in the life of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, which is commemorating a spiritually significant milestone: the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana and Almaty Diocese in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Metropolitan Alexander expressed gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ for blessing the bringing of a portion of the holy relics and the robe of Blessed Matrona of Moscow to Kazakhstan for the celebration of this historic occasion. He shared that the sacred relics, which visited the nation’s capital, Astana, the southern capital, Almaty, as well as major regional centers and cities, were venerated by over 300,000 faithful in a short period, bringing them spiritual comfort, strength, and support.
During the discussion, Metropolitan Alexander outlined plans for church and public events dedicated to the significant anniversaries in 2025: the 50th anniversary of the blessed repose of Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), the 70th anniversary of the repose of the confessor Metropolitan Nicholas (Mogilevsky) of Almaty and Kazakhstan, and the 225th anniversary of the birth of Archbishop Sophonius (Sokolsky), the first hierarch of the Turkestan Diocese.
The Metropolitan shared that, in preparation for these sacred commemorations, a decision was made to establish a memorial complex in the southern capital honoring Metropolitans Nicholas and Joseph. Substantial work is underway, including the restoration of historic buildings where these revered hierarchs lived and ministered, celebrated services, wrote sermons, and welcomed individuals for spiritual counsel.
The meeting included an exchange of views on a wide range of topics of mutual interest. The hierarchs discussed church-state relations, interfaith dialogue in Kazakhstan, and the development of spiritual education within the Metropolis.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the archpastors exchanged greetings for the upcoming New Year, wishing one another health and God’s help in their ecclesiastical labors.
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