International Online Quiz “Over the Gospel” Held by the Astana and Alma-Ata Dioceses’ Educational Ministry Commission

September 27, 2026. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the online quiz “Over the Gospel” was held.

The event, organized by the Educational Ministry Commission of the Astana Diocese, brought together Sunday school students, members of youth clubs, and students from secular educational and cultural institutions in Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Latvia.

The competition was held in two categories – Sunday schools and youth clubs. A total of 21 teams took part in the online tournament: four representing parish youth clubs and 17 representing Sunday schools, general education schools and lyceums.

The quiz included questions on Gospel history. As World Animal Day is celebrated on October 4, several questions also tested the participants’ knowledge of flora and fauna.

The following teams were named winners and runners-up:

Sunday Schools

First place

• “My Joy” – Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Baikent, Alma-Ata Region, Kazakhstan
• “Kristall” – Church of St. Vladimir, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
• “Luchiki” – St. Nicholas Church, Tonshaevo, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Russia
• “Joy of Faith” – Sts. Sebastian and Mary Magdalene Church, Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan
• “Blagovest” – Annunciation Cathedral, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan

Second place

• “Vesyoly Parovozik” – St. Vladimir Church, Chemolgan Station, Alma-Ata Region, Kazakhstan
• “Maranatha” – Church of St. Alexander Nevsky, Irtyshsk, Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan
• “Pure in Heart” – Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• “New Generation” – Ascension Cathedral, Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan
• “Guiding Star” – Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan
• “Otroki” – Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos, Rezekne, Latvia
• “Faith, Hope and Love” – Iveron-St. Seraphim Cathedral, Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan

Third place

• “Radonezh” – Church of All Saints, Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan
• “Little Radonezh” – Church of All Saints, Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan
• “Peresvet” – combined Sunday school team, Bryansk, Russia
• “St. Nicholas Cathedral School” – St. Nicholas Cathedral, Vyatskiye Polyany, Kirov Region, Russia
• “Young Novoishimtsy” – St. Nicholas Church, Novoishimskoye, North Kazakhstan Region

Youth Clubs

First place

• “Skif” – Iveron-St. Seraphim Cathedral, Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan
• “Nobody but Us” – Church of the Martyrs Florus and Laurus, Tula, Russia

Second place

• “Agape” – Church of the Archangel Michael, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan
• “Guiding Star” – Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan

The next mini online tournament, “The Holy Mountain Athos,” will be held on November 1, 2026. The questions for the competition are available on the Orthodox Online Carousel website.