Graduation Ceremony Held at the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary

On June 22, 2025, in Almaty, with the blessing of the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, a graduation ceremony for the graduates of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary was held in the Throne Hall of the Metropolitan District’s Spiritual, Cultural and Administrative Center named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov).

The graduation act was preceded by the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of the Iveron-St. Seraphim Monastery, celebrated by Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, Vicar of the Astana Diocese, with the blessing of the Head of the Metropolitan District, and concelebrated by the rector, faculty, and seminarians in holy orders.

The solemn event was chaired by the Rector of the Almaty Theological Seminary, Protopriest Yevgeny Ivanov, Candidate of Theology.

The festive event was attended by: Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan; Vice-Rector for Educational Work Priest Ioann Livinsky; Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Priest Pyotr Bakhtiyarov; Vice-Rector for Research, Candidate of Philosophy A.P. Solovyov; Head of the Correspondence Department Priest Daniil Bobylev; Head of the Choir Conducting Department and Head of the Culture Department of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan, Honored Cultural Worker of the Russian Federation L.E. Gorycheva; Seminary Inspector Priest Yevgeny Bessonov; Head of the Church History Department Protopriest Alexander Gaychenya; Head of the Biblical and Theological Department, Candidate of Theology Priest Oleg Lisin; Head of the Practical Theology Department of the seminary, Candidate of Theology Reader V.P. Pashkov; Head of the Seminary Chancellery Priest Alexander Shishlov; Secretary of the Church History Department and Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District Priest Georgy Sidorov; Deputy Head of the Information Department of the Metropolitan District and Secretary of the Biblical and Theological Department Priest Kirill Konoplev; professors, staff, graduates and students of the seminary; clergy of the diocese; staff of the Almaty Diocesan Administration.

Opening the ceremony, Bishop Klavdian read out the address of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan on the occasion of the graduation act and the completion of the 2024–2025 academic year at the seminary:

“This year, the Almaty Seminary marks a special milestone – the 15th anniversary of its founding. In historical terms, this period is relatively short, but highly significant in view of the work done to prepare pastoral personnel for the entire Kazakhstan Metropolitan District. Being, to this day, the only higher theological educational institution of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan, the Almaty Seminary must actively shape its educational and spiritual traditions, train diligent laborers in the Lord’s field – capable of responding to the challenges of modernity, engaging in enlightening work, and finding common ground with people of different generations, beliefs, and nationalities.

Today, new large-scale tasks face the Church’s academic community – the activation of scientific research and the development of theological thought, including in relation to current issues of bioethics, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Genuine theological education is unthinkable without a strong spiritual foundation, without a life in accordance with the Gospel commandments. Therefore, both students and teachers must constantly cultivate the field of their souls, be filled with the fruits of righteousness, to the glory and praise of God (Phil. 1:11), and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18).”

Metropolitan Alexander gave an example of sacrificial church ministry:

“Let us recall how Divine grace, which ‘ever heals the infirm and completes what is lacking,’ manifested itself here, on the Kazakh land, in the life and labors of the ever-memorable Archbishop of Turkestan, Sophonius (Sokolsky). This year marks the 225th anniversary of the birth of the saint, rightly called the ‘Apostle of Central Asia.’

This great laborer in Christ’s field arrived here at the age of seventy. One eyewitness wrote of the bishop’s deeds: ‘Like a young man, he moved across the vast steppes, founding churches and establishing parishes, calling the people of God to the saving faith in Christ.’ Disregarding his own physical frailty, overcoming great distances, unafraid of exhausting heat and bitter cold, the elder archbishop visited cities and villages throughout the immense diocese. By word and deed he sought to ignite in the hearts of the faithful the life-giving flame of faith. He built churches, frequently celebrated services, and tirelessly preached the Word of God.

What gave strength to this elderly hierarch, whose life was spent in unceasing labor and travel? The answer is one – true Christian love.”

His Eminence wished the administration, faculty, support staff, graduates, and students strength of soul and body, and God’s help in all good undertakings.

The Rector of the Almaty Seminary, Protopriest Evgeny Ivanov, in his address to those gathered, warmly thanked Metropolitan Alexander for his tireless paternal care for the theological school and expressed gratitude to the benefactors who actively support the strengthening of theological education in Kazakhstan. Father Rector acknowledged the dedicated efforts of the administration and faculty, and the diligence of the students. Protopriest Evgeny congratulated the graduates on completing their studies and encouraged them to continue deepening their knowledge in theological and humanitarian disciplines for the successful preaching of the Word of God in the modern world.

Then, Priest Ioann Livinsky announced the results of the defense of final qualification papers and reported on the current state of the educational process at the theological institution. Father Vice-Rector noted that the Almaty Seminary currently has 170 students enrolled across the pastoral, choir directing, and catechetical departments.

Following this, the diplomas were awarded. In the 2024–2025 academic year, 14 students of the pastoral department and 2 students of the choir directing department graduated from the Almaty Theological Seminary.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Deacon Roman Karaman expressed sincere gratitude to Metropolitan Alexander, the Rector, and the faculty for the knowledge imparted and the great dedication with which each instructor approached their work.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the students presented a concert program featuring both sacred and secular musical compositions.

A commemorative group photograph was taken on the steps of the Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) Spiritual and Cultural Center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District.

The event was filmed by the “Semirechye” television studio of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District (director – Honored Worker of Culture V. L. Posadneva, cameraman – A. Schmidt) and staff of the “Proobraz” YouTube channel with the support of the public foundation “ELEOS-MEIRIM” (director – V. M. Kapsamun); photography was done by A. Shcheglov.