A Cooperation Agreement Signed Between the Almaty and Kazan Orthodox Theological Seminaries

24 November 2025. Almaty. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, and Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary and the Kazan Orthodox Theological Seminary at the St. Joseph (Chernov) Spiritual and Cultural Center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District.

The text of the agreement, signed by Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov, Rector of the Almaty Theological Seminary, and Priest Nikita Kuznetsov, Rector of the Kazan Orthodox Theological Seminary, was formally approved with signatures and official seals by the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and the Head of the Kazan Metropolia.

Present at the signing were:

Archimandrite Nikodim (Generalov), lecturer of the Minsk Theological Seminary, Head of the Seminary Library, PhD in Theology; Archpriest Alexey Nagorny, Vice-Rector for General and Social Affairs of the Kuzbass Orthodox Theological Seminary; Priest Ioann Livinsky, Vice-Rector for Educational Work; Priest Pyotr Bakhtiyarov, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs; A.P. Solovyov, Vice-Rector for Research at the Almaty Seminary, PhD in Philosophy; Deacon Vladislav Pashkov, Head of the Practical Theology Department and PhD in Theology; Priest Alexander Shishlov, Head of the Seminary Chancellery.

The newly signed agreement enables the principal theological schools of Kazakhstan and Kazan to conduct joint conferences, seminars, round tables, and expert consultations on matters of mutual interest, as well as to carry out collaborative research, academic and methodological initiatives, cultural and educational programs, and joint educational projects.

During the working meeting, various aspects of cooperation between the two theological institutions were discussed.

At the conclusion of the friendly and warm meeting, the participants exchanged commemorative gifts.