On October 13, 2024, Kostanay. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, a screening of the documentary film “Service,” which focuses on the activities of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan, was held at the “Zodiak” cinema hall. The event was organized by the “Apostle” Public Fund, led by its president G.G. Sosnovsky, and the Information Department of the Kostanay Diocese.
The film screening gathered 120 attendees. The event was opened with a welcome speech by Protopriest Vitaly Gutsan, the sacristan of St. Nicholas Church. Assistance in organizing the screening was provided by the secretary of the Kostanay and Rudny Diocese, Hieromonk Gennady (Burdyuzha), and the acting head of the Information Department of the Kostanay Diocese, Aynura Salavatova.
Work on the documentary film was carried out with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, in collaboration with the “Apostle” Public Fund, led by its president G.G. Sosnovsky. The film crew, which included both Kazakhstani and international specialists, the administration of the Almaty Theological Seminary, and the staff of the Kazakhstan Metropolis, worked over several months in 2023 in Astana, Almaty, and Karaganda, as well as in the Almaty, Akmola, and Karaganda regions.
The film narrates the spiritual, educational, social, and charitable activities of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, highlighting its peacemaking efforts, interfaith dialogue, and the Church’s relationship with the state and society. The documentary delves into the subject of political repression in the 20th century, illustrating the Kazakh people’s support for innocent individuals exiled and imprisoned in labor camps within the Republic. Interviews with hierarchs, clergy, notable public figures of Kazakhstan, and ordinary citizens are interspersed with historical and cultural landmarks, along with unique views of Kazakhstani nature.
The film was directed by the late renowned Russian documentarian Andrey Andreyev, who passed away on June 4, 2024. He was known for his auteur documentary filmmaking. Some of his works include People’s Doctor, God’s Children, Patriarchal Choir, and the thematic series Pastors: Pastors, Pastors. Varese, Pastors. Sardinia, Pastors. Milan. His film Pastors, about the lives of Orthodox priests, monks, and laity in Italy, won the main prize at the Milan Film Festival, Premio Felix, in the “Best Documentary” category in 2021.
A previous screening of Service was held on October 8 in the city of Uralsk, where viewers highly praised the documentary.
Material provided by the informational portal APN
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