Concert Dedicated to Moscow Day Held at the Vladimir Icon Parish in Chemolgan

September 6, 2026. Chemolgan. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, a festive concert entitled “Golden-Domed Moscow,” dedicated to Moscow Day, was held at the parish of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God at Chemolgan Station in the Alma-Ata Region.

The celebration was organized by the Commission for Educational Ministry of the Astana Diocese, the Association of Russian, Slavic and Cossack Organizations of Kazakhstan, and the Union of Cossacks of Semirechye.

Before the concert began, those gathered were greeted by: Archpriest Sergiy Kazimirov, Head of the Commission for Educational Ministry and Rector of the Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God; M.S. Simakova, Head of the Russian House in Alma-Ata; V.S. Shikhotov, Ataman of the Union of Cossacks of Semirechye and member of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan; S.V. Shikhotov, Deputy Chairman of the Association of Russian, Slavic and Cossack Organizations; V.A. Matkava, Deputy of the Alma-Ata Regional Maslikhat; and V.R. Popov, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Union of Cossacks of Semirechye.

Guests of the event included parishioners of the Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, residents of the village of Zhibek Zholy in the Karasai District of the Alma-Ata Region, and residents of neighboring communities.

As part of the festive program, a photo exhibition was organized comprising three sections: “The Participation of the Cossacks in the Great Patriotic War,” “Moscow Landmarks Connected with Alma-Ata,” and “Children’s Drawings.”

The concert featured performances by the Cossacks of Semirechye dance group; the Alma-Ata Folk Song Theatre under the direction of M. Granova; students of the Sunday schools of the Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God at Chemolgan Station, St. Elizabeth Church in the village of Koldi, and the parish of St. Seraphim of Sarov in the village of Chapayevka; Yu.V. Fokeev, Head of the Russian Alliance Creative Club; the Mandarin Cossack Saber-Spinning Club; and the Sukhorukov Brothers duo.

At the conclusion of the celebration, the participants received gifts from the Alma-Ata Diocesan Administration, the Bible Society of Kazakhstan, and the Russian House in Alma-Ata.