Metropolitan Alexander Awarded Church Decorations to the Administration and Staff of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary

December 15, 2025. Almaty.

A церemony of awarding church decorations to the administration, members of the teaching faculty and staff of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary took place in the Throne Hall of the Spiritual and Cultural Center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov).

The awards ceremony was held as part of the celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the theological school.

The ceremony was presided over by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan.

The event was attended by: Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, Regent of the Choir of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Russian Church Singing O.N. Ovchinnikov; Head of the Information and Publishing Department of the Metropolitan District, Rector of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary, Candidate of Theology Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov; Head of the Metropolitan’s Personal Secretariat Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky); Head of the Metropolitan Protocol Service Archdeacon Roman Golovin.

His Eminence addressed those being honored with a speech, in which he noted in particular:

“This year our theological school marks the 15th anniversary of its founding. This date calls each of us to reflect on the path already traveled and to define the vector for the future existence and development of theological education. Today, being the only institution of higher theological education of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, the Almaty Seminary must actively form its educational and formative traditions, prepare diligent laborers in the Lord’s vineyard who are capable of responding to the challenges of modern times, carrying out educational work, and finding common ground with people of different generations, convictions and nationalities.

Those who labor in the field of spiritual education are entrusted with responsible tasks – to work sacrificially and to do everything possible so that our theological school may grow from strength to strength (Ps. 83:8), become a serious academic center, a stronghold of Orthodox tradition in Kazakhstani society, and a school of genuine Christian piety for future pastors and church servants. I know how difficult it can be at times, in contemporary circumstances, to carry out pastoral ministry or fulfill other responsible obediences. By the mercy of God, thanks to your labors, the life of our seminary is developing. I sincerely thank you all and ask you not to lose spiritual vigilance when you encounter various difficulties and challenging circumstances. ‘God is with us!’ – these words, which will often be heard during the days of the Nativity season, are an absolute reality of the life of an Orthodox Christian,” the hierarch stated.

In recognition of their labors in the development of spiritual education and in connection with the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary, the following church distinctions were awarded:

• Vice-Rector for Educational Work Priest Ioann Livinsky and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Priest Pyotr Bakhtiyarov, Lecturer of the Department of Biblical and Theological Disciplines and Research Fellow of the Seminary Archpriest Alexander Suvorov – the Order of “Hierarch Sophronius, Archbishop of Turkestan and Tashkent, Enlightener of Semirechye”;
• Vice-Rector for Research A.P. Solovyov – the Order “Yntaly Qyzmet Üshin” (For Zealous Service);
• Head of the Department of Church History Archpriest Alexander Gaychenya, Head of the Department of Biblical and Theological Disciplines Priest Oleg Lisin, Head of the Chancellery of the Almaty Theological Seminary Priest Alexander Shishlov, Inspector of the Seminary Priest Evgeny Bessonov, Lecturer of the Department of Church-Practical Disciplines Hegumen Vladimir (Utegenov), Lecturer of the Department of Biblical and Theological Disciplines Hegumen Philip (Moiseev), Lecturer of the Department of Church-Practical Disciplines Hieromonk Isaac (Isteluev), Lecturer of the Department of Church History Deacon Andrey Pleten – the Medal of “Hierarch Sophronius, Archbishop of Turkestan and Tashkent, Enlightener of Semirechye”;
• Long-time Lecturer of the Russian Language at the Almaty Theological Seminary Nun Anna (Prygunova) – the Order of “Hierarch Sophronius, Archbishop of Turkestan and Tashkent, Enlightener of Semirechye”;
• Lecturer of the Departments of Philology and Church Singing Disciplines E.V. Savelyeva – the Order “Enbek Üshin” (For Labors);
• Choir Director of the Almaty Theological Seminary O.V. Kuznetsova – the Medal “For Merits to the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan”;
• Lecturer of the Department of Language Disciplines M.G. Ivanova, Lecturer of the Department of Church Singing Disciplines M.A. Levushina and Lecturer of the Department of Church Singing Disciplines S.Zh. Akhmetova – an Episcopal Certificate of Gratitude.

The Metropolitan congratulated those present, thanked them for their labors and wished them health, longevity and the mercy of the Lord.

On behalf of those awarded, Archpriest Alexander Suvorov addressed the Head of the Metropolitan District with a response of gratitude.