Academic Council Meeting Held at the Almaty Theological Seminary

On 29 December 2025, a meeting of the Academic Council was held at the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary under the chairmanship of the rector of the theological school, Candidate of Theology, Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov. This was the final meeting of the Academic Council in the outgoing year.

The meeting was attended by the vice-rector for formation, Priest Ioann Livinsky; the vice-rector for academic affairs, Priest Petr Bakhtiyarov; the vice-rector for research, Candidate of Philosophical Sciences A.P. Solovyov; the head of the Biblical and Theological Department, Candidate of Theology Priest Oleg Lisin; the head of the Church History Department, Archpriest Alexander Gaichenya; the head of the Church Practical Department, Candidate of Theology Priest Vladislav Pashkov; the head of the Correspondence Department, Priest Daniil Bobylev; the secretary of the Biblical and Theological Commission, Priest Kirill Konoplev; the secretary of the Church Practical Department, Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky); and the head of the seminary chancery, Priest Alexander Shishlov.

At the beginning of the meeting, Archpriest Evgeny addressed the faculty with a welcoming word, congratulating those present on the successful completion of the winter semester, after which he presented a report on the results of the first half of the 2025–2026 academic year.

Then the vice-rector for academic affairs, Priest Petr Bakhtiyarov, delivered a report on the results of the seminary’s academic activity during the first semester.

This was followed by a report from the vice-rector for formation, Priest Ioann Livinsky, who outlined the main aspects of the formative work carried out during the outgoing year.

During the meeting, the heads of the departments reported on the activity of their academic units over the first half of the year.

The main topic of the Academic Council meeting was the discussion of the seminary’s preparation for the forthcoming inspection by the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church. Particular attention was given to the development of the educational process and scholarly activity.

After the conclusion of the meeting, the rector of the Alma-Ata Seminary, Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov, thanked those present for their labors and congratulated the participants on the approaching civil New Year and the bright feast of the Nativity of Christ.