The First Meeting of the Open Historical Society of the Kazakhstani Metropolitan District in 2025 Took Place in Almaty

February 12, 2025. Almaty. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the first meeting of the Open Historical Society of the Kazakhstani Metropolitan District for the new year was held in the conference hall of the spiritual and cultural center named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov).

The meeting was chaired by Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan. Participants included the sacristan of the Nativity of Christ Cathedral of the Southern Capital and head of the Church History Department of the Almaty Seminary, Protopriest Alexander Gaichenya; the rector of the Church of Righteous John of Kronstadt in the village of Zhetygen, Almaty Region, Protopriest Vadim Alekseev; a member of the Almaty Diocese’s Commission on Canonization of Saints, M. Ivashko; and Orthodox believers from the Southern Capital.

Bishop Gennady opened the gathering with a welcoming speech, congratulating those present on the upcoming Feast of the Meeting of the Lord and announcing the agenda of the meeting.

Local historian E. Morozova presented a report titled Through the Eyes of a Traveler: The Museum of Icons in the Albanian City of Korçë.

Protopriest Alexander Gaichenya shared information on the life of the Orthodox community in Karaganda during the 1940s–1950s.

Following the presentations, participants engaged in discussions on various aspects of regional history.

In conclusion, Bishop Gennady expressed gratitude to the attendees for their participation and expressed hope for continued fruitful cooperation.