The 2nd Annual “Love in Faith” Conference Held in the Capital Deanery

On July 6, 2025, in the village of Malotimofeevka (modern-day Akkayin), Akmola Region, with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the 2nd annual “Love in Faith” conference was held at St. Nicholas Church. The event was dedicated to the Day of Love, Family, and Fidelity, as well as to the feast of the Holy Right-Believing Princes Peter and Fevronia – patrons of marriage and pious family life.

The honorary guests of the conference included: the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Rosalba Lo Bué Antico; the Head of the Russian House in Astana, Sergey Alexandrovich Kaimashnikov; and the Head of the Press Service of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Evgenia Yuryevna Chechelyan.

The conference was opened by the rector of the church, Priest Vladislav Kovalenko. He warmly welcomed all attendees and emphasized in his address the importance of open and sincere dialogue about family values.

The main theme of the meeting was the topic of love, family, and marriage. The conference gathered parishioners and guests from the churches of the deanery — a total of 30 participants. A distinctive feature of this conference was the participation of married couples representing the same profession: Sergey and Lyudmila Rybalko – doctors; Sergey and Olga Vanin – educators; Alexander and Elena Shipilov – builders and musicians.

Musical accompaniment for the event was provided by the Russian folk song ensemble “Blagozvonnitsa,” whose performances became a highlight of the conference.

At the conclusion of the event, Priest Vladislav thanked everyone for their participation and presented commemorative gifts.

Before the conference, the St. Nicholas Church was visited by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Rosalba Lo Bué Antico. The distinguished guest was received by the rector, Priest Vladislav Kovalenko. During the tour, Father Vladislav spoke to the ambassador about the life of the parish and the history of the church’s foundation and adornment, paying special attention to the wall paintings executed in the traditions of the Palekh iconographic school. Rosalba Lo Bué Antico lit candles before the revered relics of the church — a particle of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord and the Pochaev Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. The guest also viewed a temporary exhibition of rare icons displayed in the church. The exhibition sparked her genuine interest, and the ambassador noted the high spiritual and cultural value of the presented artifacts.