Head of the Metropolis Meets with the Youth Choir “Sofia” from Krasnoyarsk

May 5, 2025 - Almaty. In the Throne Hall of the Metropolitan Center for Spiritual and Cultural Development of the Kazakhstan Metropolis, named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), a meeting took place between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan and the singers of the youth choir “Sofia” from Krasnoyarsk.

The artistic ensemble from Eastern Siberia had participated in the concert of spiritual music held the day before at the Ascension Cathedral of the Southern Capital.

Attending the meeting were: Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky), head of the personal secretariat of the Metropolitan; Priest Georgy Sidorov, head of the administrative secretariat of the Head of the Metropolis; and Protodeacon Roman Golovin, head of the Metropolitan’s protocol service.

The Head of the Metropolis congratulated choir director E.M. Plekhanova and the children on the Bright Feast of the Savior’s Pascha.

The archpastor emphasized that church choral singing plays an important role in preserving Orthodox traditions in the country, bringing together active believers in both urban and rural parishes - especially young people.

The conductor of the “Sofia” choir expressed her gratitude to His Eminence for the opportunity to participate in the Divine Liturgy at the Ascension Cathedral - a historical and cultural gem of the Semirechye region - and shared her positive impressions of taking part in the concert of spiritual music.

During the meeting, Metropolitan Alexander awarded choir director E.M. Plekhanova the Medal of Archbishop Sophonius (Sokolsky) - the first archpastor of the Turkestan Diocese and enlightener of the Great Steppe and Semirechye. Elena Mefodievna was honored with this high award in recognition of her work in the musical and spiritual education of the younger generation.

The Head of the Metropolis also presented an archpastoral certificate of blessing to the youth choir “Sofia” and gave commemorative gifts to the young singers.

Choir director E.M. Plekhanova thanked the hierarch for the high honor and the opportunity to visit the Southern Capital and venerate the holy sites of Almaty.

At the end of the event, a group photo was taken.