Architectural lighting installed at the main church of Kazakhstan – the Dormition Cathedral

2 May 2025 – Astana. The installation of architectural and artistic lighting for the main church of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan – the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos – has been completed.

By the blessing of the head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, large-scale decorative illumination works were carried out during the Paschal season on the façade and bell tower of the Dormition Cathedral.

The completed project is part of preparations for the visit of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, who is expected to arrive in Astana this September at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to take part in the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. In addition to participating in the Congress, His Holiness is expected to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, 21 September, in the Dormition Cathedral.

The lighting was installed with the support of the Akim of the city of Astana Zhenis Makhmudovich Kassymbek and the Akim of the “Almaty” district Rustem Serikovich Taukekelov.

Supervision of the work from the Astana deanery was carried out by dean Archimandrite Sergy (Karamyshev) and the cathedral’s sacristan Hieromonk Dimitry (Baydek). A team of mountaineering electricians undertook the equipment installation.

Thanks to the lighting system, the beauty of the architectural lines and the majesty of the Dormition Cathedral – the largest Orthodox church in Central Asia – were successfully highlighted. The illumination serves both aesthetic and practical purposes – it not only enhances the splendour and distinct status of the cathedral, but also improves visibility during the night hours, increases safety and visual comfort for parishioners attending early morning or evening services, as well as night festive liturgies.

Metropolitan Alexander, upon receiving the report on the completed works, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Akim Z.M. Kassymbek, Akim V.S. Taukekelov, the lighting designers, and the installation team. His Eminence noted that the creation of this architectural illumination was a wonderful gift to the Dormition Cathedral in honour of the 15th anniversary of its consecration, which took place on 17 January 2010 and was celebrated by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.