Delegation of the Astana and Almaty Diocese Takes Part in the XXXIV International Christmas Educational Readings

With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and in accordance with a decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, the XXXIV International Christmas Educational Readings titled “Education and Morality: Formation of the Personality and the Challenges of Our Time” were held in Moscow from January 25–29, 2026.

The opening of the forum at the State Kremlin Palace was led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. Greetings from the President of the Russian Federation, V.V. Putin, were delivered by the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Central Federal District, I.O. Shchegolev.

The academic gathering brought together hierarchs and clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church, representatives of Orthodox Local Churches, members of the Interreligious Council of Russia, plenipotentiary representatives of the President of the Russian Federation in the federal districts, representatives of federal and regional authorities, rectors and faculty of Russian and international universities, heads and teachers of general education institutions, parish specialists, and figures from the cultural sphere.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the delegation of the Astana–Almaty Diocese was headed by Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, Vicar of the Astana Diocese. The delegation included: Archpriest Alexander Gaychenya, sacristan of the Nativity of Christ Cathedral in Almaty; Archpriest Anatoly Izmerov, Chairman of the Society of Orthodox Physicians of Kazakhstan; Abbot Tryphon (Pechkovsky), superior of the Seraphim–Theognostus Aksay men’s hermitage; volunteers of the social service and sisters of mercy of the Almaty Diocese led by Archpriest Vyacheslav Pugachev, Chairman of the Commission of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District for Charity and Social Ministry; N. Gaychenya, Chairwoman of the Union of Orthodox Women of the Almaty Diocese; and teachers of the Central Sunday School of Almaty led by Director G.V. Cherepanova.

Representatives of the diocese took part in various conferences and round-table discussions.

Within the framework of the Readings, the winners of the XXI International Children’s Creative Contest “The Beauty of God’s World” were honored.

At the closing ceremony held on January 29, the final document of the academic forum was read aloud. The concluding session ended with the concert “Along the Roads of Great Victories.”