September 30, 2024. Almaty. In the fireplace hall of the administrative and spiritual-cultural center of the Kazakh Metropolitan District named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan met with hierarchs who arrived for the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the establishment of the Astana Diocese.
In attendance at the meeting were: Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavl; Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan; and Metropolitan Sergius of Singapore and Southeast Asia.
Also participating in the gathering were the Secretary of the Kazakh Metropolitan District, Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov; Acting Rector of the Almaty Theological Seminary and Head of the Information Department of the Metropolitan District, Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov; the Head of the Metropolitan’s Personal Secretariat, Hieromonk Prochor (Endovitsky); the Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov; and the Head of Protocol Service, Protodeacon Roman Golovin.
The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan shared with the guests key information regarding the main events in the life of the Astana and Almaty Diocese, which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its establishment. He spoke about the implementation of church social, charitable, educational, and youth projects, as well as the activities of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary.
Metropolitan Alexander responded to the hierarchs' questions concerning the religious life in the country, particularly highlighting the topic of cooperation between the state and traditional confessions, primarily the Hanafi school of Islam and Orthodoxy.
In recognition of efforts to develop relations between the Kazan Metropolis and the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander presented Metropolitan Kirill with the "Peace and Harmony" Order ("Бейбітшілік пен Келісім").
As a memento of their visit to Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander presented the guests with books detailing the history of Christianity in Central Asia, as well as copies of icons of Blessed Matrona of Moscow, blessed at the relics of the holy saint, currently visiting the Kazakhstan Metropolis. Over two days in the capital of the Republic, more than 10,000 people venerated the relics of the saint, after which the holy relics were transferred to the Sophia Cathedral of the Iveron-Seraphim Convent in Almaty. From early morning until late evening, pilgrims continued to come in an unceasing stream, seeking spiritual comfort and strength from the blessed elder.
The guest hierarchs expressed their gratitude to the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan for the warm reception and noted the excellent organization of all the events held in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana Diocese.
Main
Login or register, to write a comment!
Your comment has been successfully added and is currently being reviewed by the site administration