19 February 2026 – Astana. An awards ceremony of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan was held in the Fireplace Hall of the Spiritual and Cultural Center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after the Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius.
The solemn event was presided over by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan.
Clergy and staff of the Astana Deanery who labored in organizing and conducting in the capital of the Republic the visit of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, who took part in the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on 17–18 September 2025, were honored with church distinctions.
Also participating in the ceremony was Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev), Dean of the parishes of Astana.
Before the formal part of the event, Metropolitan Alexander congratulated those present on the Leavetaking of the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord and on Maslenitsa.
Addressing those gathered, the archpastor said:
“The principal event of 2025 in the life of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan was the visit of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to the Republic. At the invitation of the President of the country, K.-J.K. Tokayev, His Holiness took part in the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in mid-September in Astana. The visit of the Primate to Kazakhstan may rightly be called a historically significant spiritual celebration which, in my conviction, gave powerful impetus to the further development of church life and served to strengthen Orthodoxy on the land of the Great Steppe. I would like to express sincere gratitude to all who directly participated in the organization and conduct of the Patriarchal visit. You are my close co-workers, sharing in the labors directed toward strengthening and developing various aspects of church life both in the Diocese of Astana and throughout the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District. Therefore, everyone who works in this field bears particular responsibility, regardless of rank, position, or scope of authority.”
Following his address, the metropolitan presented church awards.
The Order “Yntaly Kyzmet Ushin” (For Zealous Service) was awarded to: Hieromonk Dimitry (Baidek), sacristan of the Dormition Cathedral; Archpriest Sergius Kaliyev, sacristan of the Cathedral of Sts. Constantine and Helen; Priest Sergius Dianov, assistant to the dean; Deacon Nikolai Goryachev; Olga Varentsova, choirmaster of the Dormition Cathedral of the capital.
The Medal “Yntaly Kyzmet Ushin” (For Zealous Service) was awarded to Priest Nikolai Koval and Priest Vladislav Kovalenko, clerics of the Cathedral of Sts. Constantine and Helen.
Priest Andrei Parfenov, cleric of the Dormition Cathedral, was awarded the Medal “Enbek Ushin” (For Labors).
Church distinctions were presented to singers and staff members of the Astana Deanery.
Metropolitan Alexander warmly congratulated the recipients and wished them health, many years, and the mercy of the Lord.
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