The Documentary Film “Service” on the Life of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan Was Screened in Pavlodar

October 16, 2024. Pavlodar. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, a screening of the documentary film “Service,” which tells about the activities of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, was held at the Shaken Aimanov Cinema.

The event was organized by the public foundation “Apostle,” led by its president G.G. Sosnovsky, and the Information Department of the Pavlodar Diocese.

In attendance at the screening were: Secretary of the Diocesan Administration of the Pavlodar Diocese and Dean of the Pavlodar Deanery, Protopriest Alexey Stepanov; Head of the Diocesan Department of Religious Education and Catechesis, Priest Artemy Zhdanov; members of the Pavlodar Orthodox Youth Club “Agape,” led by the Head of the Youth Department of the Pavlodar Diocese, Priest Vladimir Bryukhanov; as well as representatives of the scientific and creative intelligentsia, art critics, and journalists. The screening was attended by 145 people.

The work on the film was carried out with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, with the participation of the public foundation “Apostle,” headed by President G.G. Sosnovsky. The film crew, which included both Kazakhstani and foreign specialists, the administration of the Almaty Theological Seminary, and employees of the Kazakhstan Metropolis, worked throughout several months of 2023 in Astana, Almaty, Karaganda, and the Almaty, Akmola, and Karaganda regions.

The film explores the spiritual, educational, social, charitable, and peacemaking activities of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, delving into interfaith dialogue and the Church’s relationship with the state and society. The film particularly highlights the theme of political repressions in the 20th century, showcasing how the Kazakh people helped innocent individuals who found themselves in exile and labor camps in the Republic. Interviews with hierarchs and clergy, prominent public figures of Kazakhstan, and ordinary citizens are interspersed with displays of historical and cultural landmarks and the unique landscapes of Kazakhstani nature.

The film was directed by the late renowned Russian documentary filmmaker Andrey Andreyev, who passed away on June 4, 2024. He was known for his authorial documentary films. Among his works are “The People’s Doctor,” “God’s Children,” “The Patriarchal Choir,” and the thematic series “Pastors”: “Pastors,” “Pastors. Varese,” “Pastors. Sardinia,” “Pastors. Milan.” His film “Pastors,” which portrayed the lives of Orthodox priests, monks, and laypeople in Italy, won the main prize at the Milan Film Festival Premio Felix in the category “Best Documentary Film” in 2021.

The previous screening of the film “Service” took place on October 13 in the city of Kostanay. Viewers highly appreciated the documentary.