Meeting Held Between the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and Metropolitan Gregory of Voskresensk, Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate

May 26, 2026. Moscow. A meeting took place at the Novospassky Monastery between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, and Metropolitan Gregory of Voskresensk, Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Metropolitan Alexander informed Vladyka Gregory about the principal events in the ecclesiastical life of Kazakhstan, giving particular attention to the international events held in May – the Orthodox choral music festival Paschal Hymn and the Fourth International Conference Philosophy of Religion in the East and West.

The Head of the Metropolitan District informed the Chancellor of the decision of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, K.-J.K. Tokayev, to confer upon O.N. Ovchinnikov, Choir Director of the Metropolitan Choir and Honored Artist of Russia, the title Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, together with the presentation of the insignia. Vladyka Metropolitan emphasized that, for the first time in the modern history of the country, this honorary title had been awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements in the sphere of culture and exceptional services to the Republic rendered by the director of an Orthodox choral ensemble.

An exchange of views took place on a wide range of matters of mutual interest. The interlocutors discussed themes concerning church–state relations and interconfessional dialogue in Kazakhstan, and also addressed the development of spiritual education and enlightenment within the Metropolitan District.

During the conversation, Metropolitan Alexander shared plans for the celebration of spiritually significant anniversaries to be commemorated this year in Kazakhstan – the 25th anniversary of the uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Martyrs Seraphim and Theognostus of Alma-Ata, and the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Monastery of Sts. Seraphim and Theognostus in the Aksai Gorge, established at the site of the monastic labors and martyrdom of the patrons of Semirechye.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the hierarchs wished one another health and God’s help in their ecclesiastical labors.