On January 11, 2025, in Astana, following the Divine Liturgy at the Constantine and Helen Cathedral, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the construction site of the spiritual, cultural, and educational center of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan with a church dedicated to All Saints of Kazakhstan.
This project, anticipated by numerous faithful, has received the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’. During a meeting between Metropolitan Alexander and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, K.-J.K. Tokayev, the head of state was introduced to the project and supported the idea of creating an Orthodox educational center and church in the capital. At the instruction of the President, the city authorities allocated and designated a plot of land for the Metropolitan District. At present, the construction project has been finalized and approved, all necessary permits have been obtained, and the site has been cleared, fenced, and prepared for the commencement of work.
Metropolitan Alexander conducted a prayer service for the beginning of the construction of the church and the spiritual and educational center and blessed the foundation of a chapel dedicated to St. Sergius of Radonezh, which will be located within the territory of the architectural complex under construction.
Participating in the prayer service were: Archimandrite Sergy (Karamyshev), dean of the parishes in the capital; Protopriest Eugene Vorobyov, rector of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Almaty; Protopriest Sergy Kaliyev, key-holder of the Constantine and Helen Cathedral; Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky), head of the personal secretariat of the Metropolitan; Priest Georgy Rublinsky, key-holder of the Kazan Cathedral in Almaty; Protodeacons Nikolai Grinkevich, Roman Golovin, and Vladimir Syrovatsky; Deacon Alexander Piven; V.I. Pomortsev, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AstanaTransStroy LLP; S.E. Baskakov, Director of AstanaTransStroy LLP; staff members of the Astana Diocesan Administration; architects, and engineers.
The head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan addressed those present with an archpastoral word:
“In these bright days of Christmas, called the Holy Days, when people glorify the arrival of the Infant Savior into the world together with the angels, we become participants in a spiritually significant and historical event. In Astana, the capital of blessed Kazakhstan, the construction of a church complex dedicated to All Saints of Kazakhstan and an educational center of the Metropolitan District is beginning.
This center is important for our entire country—it will initiate and coordinate various educational, scientific, youth, and educational programs across the regions of the Republic and oversee their implementation. Our plans include the establishment of a scientific and museum complex featuring exhibitions on ancient and modern church art, the history of the early Church, Orthodoxy in Central Asia, and the feats of the new martyrs and confessors of the 20th century.
The construction of churches is a visible embodiment of the greatest achievements of sovereign Kazakhstan—interethnic peace, interfaith harmony, and deep respect for the centuries-old history and rich culture of the Great Steppe. May this new church complex become a monument to the courage of the clergy and laity of the 20th century who boldly confessed Christ in the face of militant atheism.
Every new church construction site reflects the fervent desires of Orthodox Kazakhstanis, the initiatives of parish priests, and the support of compassionate people whose hearts Christ has touched. Let us remember the wise words of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: ‘Those who build and restore churches enter history—not only human history. The names of these people are especially recorded in the Book of Life.’
We build churches not just to adorn the area or erect a majestic architectural monument to mark an anniversary. We build churches and cathedrals so that our lives, our consciousness, and the hearts of people change for the better.
On the Christian path, difficulties and obstacles are inevitable, but believers must not despair or give up. On the contrary, they should often recall the bold and encouraging words of the Apostle Paul: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13).”
After the statutory prayers, His Eminence sprinkled the construction site with holy water.
Following the prayer service, the hierarch held a working meeting with the dean of the Astana Church District and the specialists responsible for the construction of the complex to discuss the project.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the archpastor thanked those present for their efforts and wished everyone God’s help in their important and responsible upcoming work.
The church and educational center will be built with funds from benefactors and voluntary donations from the faithful.
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