January 5, 2025, Almaty. Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan hosted an online press conference from his office at the cultural and administrative center named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov). The event was dedicated to the celebration of Christmas and organized by the news agency Interfax-Kazakhstan.
Journalists from state and private media outlets, representatives of news agencies and analytical portals, and bloggers participated in the virtual meeting. The event was moderated by the Director of the Interfax Press Center, Zh. D. Zeyneshev.
Metropolitan Alexander extended his New Year and Christmas greetings to the media representatives and spoke about the essence of the Gospel event being celebrated.
“The Gospel proclaims that ‘great joy’ has come to humanity from Bethlehem. The infinite and omnipotent Creator dwelt among us, God became man, and He changed the entire course of earthly history. As we glorify the newborn Christ Child with psalms and hymns, we affirm that no one in the world is forgotten or abandoned by God,” said the Archbishop.
The Metropolitan emphasized the importance of celebrating Christmas through acts of mercy. “The joyous and bright celebration of Christ’s arrival in the world reminds us all to show love to the Creator and our neighbors, warming the world with the warmth of our souls. Let us take a moment to look around and pay attention to those whom Christ sends our way in their need. Along with praises and hymns, let us offer the Lord, lying in the manger, some act of kindness from our hearts,” he underscored.
Main Christmas Service and Patriarchal Visit
During the conference, the journalists were informed that the main Christmas service in the southern capital would take place on the night of January 6–7 at the Ascension Cathedral, a historical and cultural treasure of Kazakhstan.
A key topic of the meeting was the announcement of the upcoming Patriarchal visit to Kazakhstan. “Last year, on November 22, in Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill met with the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Maulen Sagathanovich Ashimbayev. During this meeting, it was agreed that His Holiness would visit Kazakhstan in 2025. His visit will coincide with the VIII Congress of World and Traditional Religions, which will be held on September 17–18 in Astana,” said the Metropolitan.
Memorial Chapel Initiative
The Archbishop also informed journalists about the Patriarch’s initiative to build a memorial chapel in Shymkent’s infamous “Fox Ravine.” This site is known for being the burial ground of thousands of innocent Orthodox Christians, including clergy and laity, executed during the Soviet regime. “His Holiness’s initiative was reviewed by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemelovich Tokayev, who approved the construction of two religious memorials at this site — an Orthodox chapel and a Muslim mosque. These memorials will honor the memory of the innocent victims from the two leading traditional Kazakhstani faiths: Islam and Orthodoxy,” noted the Archbishop.
Commemorative Dates in 2025
The Metropolitan highlighted significant dates on the Church calendar to be observed in 2025. “This year, we will commemorate the 225th anniversary of Archbishop Sophonius (Sokolsky), the first hierarch of the Turkestan Diocese, known as the Apostle of Central Asia. We will also mark the 70th anniversary of the repose and the 25th anniversary of the discovery of the holy relics of Saint Nicholas, Metropolitan of Almaty and Kazakhstan. Additionally, we will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the canonical status of our Metropolitan District.”
He noted that the year would also focus on preparing for the 50th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), a distinguished spiritual leader and confessor of the 20th century. “As part of these preparations, efforts are underway to create a museum at the historic site where Metropolitans Nicholas (Mogilevsky) and Joseph (Chernov) lived and worked. This building, formerly the diocesan administration during the Soviet era, is located near the Iveron-Seraphim Convent. The museum will not only serve as a monument to their lives and work but also as a vital research center for studying their spiritual legacy,” said the Archbishop.
Moral Lessons and Upcoming Exhibitions
The Archbishop also discussed plans to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, focusing on the moral lessons of the conflict, such as preserving peace and harmony, rejecting violence and racial superiority, and fostering interethnic friendship.
Another major topic was the planned exhibition dedicated to the Turin Shroud, a unique historical and archaeological artifact. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the international charity “Kirche in Not” (Aid to the Church in Need) and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Astana, will include a full-scale replica of the Shroud and displays about its scientific studies. The exhibition is expected to travel through Astana, Karaganda, and Petropavlovsk before concluding in Almaty.
Bringing the Miraculous Icon to Kazakhstan
Answering questions from journalists, the Metropolitan shared that negotiations are underway with the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia to bring the miraculous Myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God to Kazakhstan.
In conclusion, Metropolitan Alexander answered additional questions from the press and offered greetings for the New Year and the upcoming celebration of Christmas.
Main
Login or register, to write a comment!
Your comment has been successfully added and is currently being reviewed by the site administration