A Regular Session of the Synod of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan Held in Almaty

31 May 2025. Almaty. A regular session of the Synod of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan was held in the synodal hall of the spiritual, cultural, and administrative center of the Metropolis of Kazakhstan named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), under the chairmanship of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan.

The Synod of the Metropolis of Kazakhstan includes: Archbishop Barnabas of Pavlodar and Ekibastuz; Archbishop Sebastian of Karaganda and Shakhtinsk; Archbishop Amphilochius of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk; Archbishop Barsanuphius of Kokshetau and Akmola; Archbishop Vladimir of Petropavlovsk and Bulaevo; Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan; Bishop Ignaty of Aktobe and Kyzylorda; Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, Vicar of the Diocese of Astana; Bishop Chrysanthus of Shymkent and Turkestan; Bishop Veniamin of Talgar, Vicar of the Diocese of Astana; Bishop Vianor of Uralsk and Atyrau.

Following a common prayer, the Primate of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan welcomed the hierarchs with an opening address and announced the agenda.

The members of the Synod prayerfully honored the memory of the newly departed Archbishop Anthony (Moskalenko), who reposed in the Lord on 23 April 2025. The archpastor, who had led the Diocese of Uralsk for more than 30 years, was commemorated with the singing of “Memory Eternal.”

The Synod’s proceedings began with a report by Metropolitan Alexander on his meeting with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, which took place on 17 April 2025 in the capital city of Astana. His Eminence informed those present that the Head of State had acknowledged the significant contribution of the Orthodox Church in promoting traditional and family values, educating the younger generation, and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the country.

The Synod members warmly congratulated the Head of the Metropolis on receiving a high state award — the Order of Dostyk (Friendship), 1st class.

Metropolitan Alexander reported to the hierarchs on his meetings with public officials of Kazakhstan and Russia: Yerlan Karin, State Counselor of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; Dauren Abayev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation; Yuri Chikhanchin, Director of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service of Russia; and Zhenis Kassymbek, Akim of the city of Astana.

His Eminence also spoke of his visits to the dioceses of Kostanay, Kokshetau, and Shymkent.

The Synod heard reports from Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan. His Grace spoke of his participation in the conference “Christian Ethics and Social Justice” and the international online forum “The Role of Religious Leaders in Achieving Sustainable Peace,” as well as of the nationwide quiz dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the repose of Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow and All Russia.

Archbishop Barsanuphius of Kokshetau and Akmola informed those present of his assumption of office as ruling bishop of the Diocese of Kokshetau.

The Synod reviewed current matters concerning the life of the Metropolis of Kazakhstan and adopted a number of decisions.

The journals of the session of the Synod of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan will be published after their approval by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia (cf. Article 9, Chapter XIII of the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church: “The journals of the Synod of the Metropolis are submitted to the Holy Synod and approved by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia”).