Graduation Ceremony Held at the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary

June 21, 2026. Almaty. The graduation ceremony and presentation of diplomas to graduates of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary took place in the Throne Hall of the Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) Spiritual, Cultural and Administrative Center of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan.

The ceremonial event was presided over by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Professor of the Department of Church History of the seminary.

Among those attending the celebration were: O.N. Ovchinnikov, Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, and member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Russian Church Singing; Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov, Candidate of Theology and Rector of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary; the auxiliary bishops of the Diocese of Astana – Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan and Bishop Veniamin of Talgar; Archpriest Valery Zakharov, Candidate of Theology, Dean of the Churches of the Southern Capital and Rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral; Priest John Livinsky, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs; Priest Peter Bakhtiyarov, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs; A.P. Solovyov, Candidate of Philosophy and Vice-Rector for Research; V.V. Dudareva, Head of the Seminary’s Church Choir Department; L.E. Goricheva, Vice-Rector for Extracurricular Activities and Head of the Culture Department of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District; Priest Evgeny Bessonov, Seminary Inspector; Archpriest Alexander Gaichenya, Head of the Department of Church History; Priest Oleg Lisin, Candidate of Theology and Head of the Biblical and Theological Department; Priest Vladislav Pashkov, Candidate of Theology and Head of the Department of Church Practice; Priest Alexander Shishlov, Head of the Seminary Chancellery; Priest Georgy Sidorov, Secretary of the Department of Church History and Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District; Priest Kirill Konoplev, Deputy Head of the Information Department of the Metropolitan District and Secretary of the Biblical and Theological Department; faculty members, staff, graduates and students of the seminary, clergy of the diocese, and employees of the Almaty Diocesan Administration.

The honored guests of the ceremony included V.M. Kapsamun, President of the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation, and N.M. Kikimov, Head of the Department for Religious Affairs of the City of Almaty.

Before the ceremony, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, concelebrating with faculty members and seminarians in holy orders, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Ascension Cathedral in Almaty.

Opening the event, Metropolitan Alexander addressed those gathered with words of greeting.

In his remarks, Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov warmly thanked Metropolitan Alexander for his constant paternal care for the theological school and expressed gratitude to the benefactors who actively support theological education in Kazakhstan. The Rector also acknowledged the dedicated work of the administration and faculty and the diligence of the students. He congratulated the graduates on completing their studies and encouraged them to continue deepening their knowledge of theology and the humanities for the effective proclamation of the Word of God in the contemporary world.

During the event, a presentation was held for the monograph Administrators of the Alma-Ata Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, 1927–1990: Personalities in History. The author of the study is Hegumen Agafangel (Gagua), Assistant to the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District at the Moscow Representation of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Vice-Rector of the Almaty Seminary, Candidate of Theology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and Professor.

Valery Mikhailovich Kapsamun thanked the administration and faculty for their labors in the field of theological education and wished the graduates and students faithful service and diligent fulfillment of their obediences in the Church of Christ.

“The modern world needs not simply educated clergy, but people of living faith, capable of hearing another person’s pain, supporting the suffering, strengthening the doubtful, and leading seekers to Christ. Remember that people will look not only at your words but also at your actions. Your attitude toward others will become the most convincing sermon of the Gospel,” the President of the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation noted in particular.

Priest John Livinsky then announced the results of the defense of the graduation theses and provided an overview of the educational process at the seminary.

The presentation of diplomas followed. During the 2025–2026 academic year, twelve students of the Pastoral Department and two students of the Catechetical Department graduated from the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Archpriest Ilya Vorozheikin and Reader Vladislav Platonov expressed heartfelt gratitude to Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Rector Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov, and the entire faculty for the knowledge they had received and for the dedication shown by each instructor. As a token of appreciation for their labors, paternal attention, and constant care, the graduates presented flowers to the seminary leadership.

The event concluded with musical performances prepared by the students.

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

Video coverage of the event was provided by the Semirechye Television Studio of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, directed by Honored Worker of Culture V.L. Posadneva.