The IV International Theological and Academic Conference “Timonov Readings” Took Place in Kostanay

June 3, 2025. Kostanay. On the 95th anniversary of the repose of the first archpastor of the land of Kustanay and confessor of the faith – Bishop Timon (Rusanov) – and with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the IV International Theological and Academic Conference “Timonov Readings” was held at the diocesan spiritual, cultural, and administrative center, chaired by the secretary of the Diocese of Kostanay, Hieromonk Gennady (Burdyuzha).

The event was timed to coincide with the celebration in 2025 of a date of historical importance for the entire Orthodox world – the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council.

The conference opened with a greeting from Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, read aloud by Hieromonk Gennady (Burdyuzha). “The theological legacy of the Council of Nicaea – its place in the formation of the Church and Christian peoples – has remained a subject of reflection throughout all subsequent eras. In our time, the acts of the First Ecumenical Council are at the center of attention not only for professional historians and theologians, but also for the broader public. Questions of doctrine, the institutional development of the Church, the formation of its canonical order and liturgical traditions, the development of the Christian calendar system, and church–state relations – all of these and more are explored in numerous scholarly studies, conferences, and roundtable discussions,” – stated the message from the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan.

The hierarch also noted that this year marks an important date in the life of the Diocese of Kostanay – the 15th anniversary of its establishment: “This decision of the Holy Synod brought to life a long-standing idea – the creation of an independent diocese in this generous and blessed land, first proposed in the early 20th century. Before the tragic events of 1917, there were more than 140 Orthodox churches and two monasteries in the Kustanay Uyezd. The growth of church life led to the establishment of the Kustanay Vicariate in 1914. Among the archpastors who served here during times of historical upheaval, a prominent place is held by the Most Reverend Bishop Timon (Rusanov). Exactly 100 years ago – on August 10, 1925 – his episcopal consecration marked the beginning of the final stage of his confessor’s ministry. The annual Timonov Readings – which bring together participants not only from various regions of Kazakhstan, but also from abroad – are our modest contribution to the perpetuation of his memory, and perhaps more importantly, to the continuation of his spiritual and educational labors.”

On behalf of the head of the Department for Religious Affairs of Kostanay Region, Chief Specialist Sapargali Akimbekovich Abdiev addressed the gathering: “I am pleased to welcome you to this international conference, dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the convocation of the First Ecumenical Council – one of the most significant events in the history of the Christian Church. And now, seventeen centuries later, we see that the principles followed by the participants of that council – the pursuit of peace, harmony, and mutual understanding – remain just as relevant today. It is upon these very values that Kazakhstan’s modern model of social development is built. Today, as our society faces numerous challenges, events like the ‘Timonov Readings’ provide a solid foundation for promoting values of goodness, tolerance, and mutual respect. On behalf of the local executive authorities, I express our gratitude to the organizers for the high level of preparation of this conference. I am confident that it will make a meaningful contribution to the strengthening of our society’s spiritual foundations,” – the regional official said.

The guests were also warmly welcomed by longtime participants and friends of the “Timonov Readings”: renowned Kostanay public figure Sergey Mikhaylovich Zhalybin and the head of the NGO “Russian Community of Kostanay Region” Yuri Ivanovich Ivlev.

Among those present were clergy of the diocese, Azamat Zhienalin – head of the Center for the Study of Religious Issues – the Catholic priest of the Kostanay parish Oleg Podgorodetsky, journalists from public and private media, and representatives of the regional library, historical and local history museum, and city Sunday schools.

The academic portion of the conference featured reports on the history of Orthodoxy in Northern Kazakhstan and neighboring regions of Russia. The first to speak was Priest Viktor Maksimov, a cleric of the Troitsk and South Ural Diocese of the Chelyabinsk Metropolis and rector of the Church of Saint George the Victorious in the village of Belonosovo. His report focused on the development of the Troitsk Diocese, which is historically and spiritually connected with the Diocese of Kostanay.

For the second year in a row, the “Timonov Readings” welcomed Priest Mikhail Berezin – secretary of the Synodal Commission on the Canonization of Saints of the Mitropolitan District and cleric of the Diocese of Petropavlovsk and Bulaevo. This year, he presented a report on the life and witness of Bishop Veniamin (Ivanov) of Petropavlovsk and introduced his new book The Orthodox Church in Northern Kazakhstan (1920s–30s), which will be made available in all diocesan libraries in Kostanay.

The next two reports were devoted to jubilees celebrated by some of the oldest churches in the blessed land of Kostanay. A presentation dedicated to the 220th anniversary of the Church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker in the village of Presnogorkovka was prepared by historian and local scholar Sergey Nikolayevich Vinichenko, and delivered by Father Andrey Krutin, head of the Diocese of Kostanay’s Department for Canonization of Saints. The department’s deputy head – Hieromonk Methodius (Chulkov), senior priest of the Church of Petropavlovsk at the Iversko–Petropavlovsk Women’s Monastery in the village of Oktyabrskoye – presented a report on the 170th anniversary of the Church of Archangel Michael in the village of Mikhaylovka, Karabalyk District.

Following the presentations, participants and guests asked the speakers questions and added their own stories and memories related to the parishes and churches discussed in the presented works.

At the conclusion of the event, the Secretary of the Diocese of Kostanay, Hieromonk Gennady, expressed his gratitude to all attendees for taking part in the now-traditional conference, held for the fourth consecutive year in Kostanay, and noted that a collection of articles and reports from the “Timonov Readings” will soon be published.