Head of the Metropolis Awards a Student of the Central Sunday School with the “To the Diligent” Medal for Victory in the International Literary Contest “The Summer of the Lord”

May 23, 2025. Almaty. At the administrative and spiritual-cultural center of the Kazakhstan Metropolis, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan awarded Darya Rusinova, a student of the Central Sunday School, with the “To the Diligent” medal.

This token of recognition from the Kazakhstan Metropolis is awarded by the blessing of the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan to schoolchildren and students for exceptional academic achievements and outstanding creative accomplishments.

Darya was the winner of the 11th season of the International Literary Contest “The Summer of the Lord” in the 8th–9th grade age category. The creative competition, organized by the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in cooperation with the Center for Spiritual and Educational Programs named after Saint Philaret of Moscow and with the support of the Presidential Grants Foundation, took place in Moscow from March 22 to 25. The entries were evaluated by language and literature teachers on the expert council. The works of the laureates will be published in two collections of the best creative writings of the contest finalists: The Ray of Golden Sun and The Silver Ray.

The award ceremony was attended by: Protopriest Evgeny Ivanov, Head of the Information Department of the Kazakhstan Metropolis; Hieromonk Prokhor (Yendovitsky), Head of the Personal Secretariat of the Metropolitan; Priest Georgy Sidorov, Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolis; Protodeacon Roman Golovin, Head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Office; Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation, Head of the Culture Department of the Kazakhstan Metropolis L.E. Goricheva; and G.V. Cherepanova, Director of the Central Sunday School.

Metropolitan Alexander presented Darya Rusinova with a diploma and a commemorative gift, wishing her God’s grace and continued creative success.

The hierarch also awarded Galina Vasilyevna Cherepanova with a Letter of Appreciation.

The creative contest is held annually by the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in collaboration with the Center for Spiritual and Educational Programs named after Saint Philaret of Moscow and with the support of the Presidential Grants Foundation.

By the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, students of the Central Sunday School at the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Almaty took part in the event. Five students participated in the correspondence (qualifying) stage of the contest: Kira Vasilenko, Evgeniya Kornienko, Darya Layurova, Darya Rusinova, and Anna Selina.

Based on the results of all stages of the competition, Darya Rusinova advanced to the final round, which took place in Moscow from March 22 to 25.

The on-site writing session was held on March 23. According to the decision of the contest jury, Darya Rusinova was declared the winner in the 8th–9th grade age group.

On March 25, the award ceremony for the contest laureates took place in the White Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, presided over by Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk, Chairman of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.