The Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District held a working meeting with the clergy of the Astana Deanery

4 March 2026. After the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Dormition Cathedral of the city of Astana, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan held a working meeting with the Dean of the capital’s parishes, Archimandrite Sergy (Karamyshev), and the clergy of the Astana Deanery.

The meeting of the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan with the clergy took place within the walls of the spiritual, cultural and administrative center of the Metropolitan District named after the Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius.

Metropolitan Alexander spoke to those gathered about the principal historical dates of the Metropolitan District commemorated this year – the 25th anniversary of the uncovering of the relics of the heavenly patrons of Kazakhstan, the Hieromartyrs Seraphim and Theognost of Almaty, and the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Transfiguration Seraphim–Theognost Hermitage; the 200th anniversary of the birth of the prominent spiritual enlightener Bishop Alexander (Kulchitsky) of Turkestan and Tashkent; and the 80th anniversary of the return to the Orthodox Church of the Cathedral of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, one of the oldest churches in the country.

One of the topics of the meeting was the discussion of spiritual and educational events dedicated to the commemorative dates and the participation of clergy and faithful of Astana and nearby settlements in them. The Metropolitan reported that, within the framework of the celebrations, reliquaries with the relics of the Venerable Confessor Sebastian of Karaganda and the Hieromartyrs Seraphim and Theognost will be brought to diocesan centers of the country for prayerful veneration and the spiritual strengthening of the people of Kazakhstan.

The meeting also discussed prospects for the development of educational and social ministry in the capital’s deanery. The hierarch paid particular attention to the theme of work with children and youth, the improvement of the activities of Sunday schools, and the involvement of adolescents in parish life through participation in cultural, educational, sports and charitable initiatives.

The archpastor answered questions from those present and gave a number of practical recommendations concerning pastoral care for parishioners entering into church life, catechesis and catechetical talks before the sacrament of Baptism.