Meeting Held Between Metropolitan Alexander and the Head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District

May 10, 2026. Alma-Ata. A meeting between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan and Metropolitan Vikenty of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, Head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District, took place in the building of the spiritual, cultural and administrative center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov).

Participating in the meeting were: Secretary of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, conductor 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 Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov; personal secretary of the Head of the Metropolitan District Hieromonk Dimitry (Baidek); Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District Priest Georgy Sidorov; head of the personal secretariat of the Metropolitan Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky); head of the Metropolitan Protocol Service Protodeacon Roman Golovin.

The Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and Metropolitan Vikenty exchanged Paschal greetings and congratulations on the feast of the Bright Resurrection of Christ.

Metropolitan Alexander warmly thanked the guest for participating in the celebrations dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the return of St. Nicholas Cathedral of Alma-Ata to the Orthodox Church. The parties noted that the cathedral is one of the symbols of the revival of church life on the land of Kazakhstan and a monument to the courage of the hierarchs, clergy and laity of the past century who boldly confessed the truth of God in the face of militant unbelief.

According to Metropolitan Vikenty, “by the mercy of God, in the middle of the twentieth century two Metropolitan Districts were formed across the territory of the former Turkestan Diocese, but we preserve our unity. And today’s meeting in St. Nicholas Cathedral is evidence that we are united – serving together and praying together.”

In recognition of his labors in developing relations between the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and the Central Asian Metropolitan District, and in connection with the 35th anniversary of his episcopal consecration, Metropolitan Vikenty of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, Head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District, was awarded the order “Yntaly Kyzmet Ushin” (“For Diligent Service”).

Presenting the high award, Metropolitan Alexander stated in particular:

“Thirty-five years ago the Almighty placed you upon the lofty lampstand of episcopal ministry. Throughout all these years you have zealously carried out the apostolic work, ‘preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence’ (Acts 28:31). Fulfilling various church obediences, you have always striven so that the word of God might grow and multiply (Acts 12:24), and that the number of Christ’s disciples might greatly increase (Acts 6:7). Now, being the Head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District and ruling hierarch of the Tashkent Diocese, remaining faithful to your calling and episcopal duty, you care for the portion entrusted to you and strive, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, to draw people to the divine harbor of salvation.”

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan presented the archpastor with a commemorative icon of the holy confessor Nicholas (Mogilevsky), Metropolitan of Alma-Ata and Kazakhstan, and wished the decorated hierarch health and God’s help in his archpastoral labors in the Central Asian region.

Metropolitan Vikenty expressed words of gratitude for the high award, noting the worthy level of organization of the events held in connection with the celebration of the jubilee date.

The meeting took place in a warm atmosphere.