The Visit of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan to the Kostanay Diocese Begins

On April 2, 2025, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan arrived with an archpastoral visit to the Kostanay Diocese of the Metropolitan District of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan.

Accompanying the Head of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan on this trip are: Hieromonk Dimitry (Baydek), Sacristan of the Dormition Cathedral in Astana; Hieromonk Silouan (Sinegubov), cleric of the Church of Saint Seraphim of Sarov in the capital of Kazakhstan; Protodeacon Vladimir Syrovatsky; and Deacon Ioann Churkin.

At the airport, the Metropolitan was welcomed by the Secretary of the Kostanay Diocese, Hieromonk Gennady (Burdyuzha), and the Head of the Department for Religious Affairs of the Kostanay Region Akimat, B.S. Bukeyev.

During their conversation upon the Metropolitan’s arrival, His Eminence shared with Burkut Serikovich news about the life of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan and his participation in the session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, which took place on March 20.

Metropolitan Alexander and Mr. Bukeyev discussed matters of cooperation between the Kostanay Diocese and the Department for Religious Affairs of the Kostanay Region.

On April 3, the Metropolitan will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts together with the diocesan clergy at the Church of St. Nicholas in the city of Kostanay (beginning at 8:30 a.m.).

On April 4, His Eminence will preside at the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Cathedral of Saint John the Theologian in the city of Rudny (beginning at 8:30 a.m.).

Later that evening, the Metropolitan will celebrate the Matins with the reading of the Akathist to the Mother of God at the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen in Kostanay (beginning at 5:00 p.m.).

On April 5, the Head of the Metropolitan District will celebrate the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom at the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen (beginning at 8:30 a.m.).

The archpastoral visit will also include working meetings concerning diocesan activities, interactions with the clergy, meetings with regional civil authorities, and representatives of public organizations.