On December 8, 2024, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the residence of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Kazakhstan, where a meeting took place between the hierarch and the head of the Russian diplomatic mission, Alexey Nikolayevich Borodavkin.
The meeting was also attended by the Dean of the Parishes of the Capital, Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev).
After exchanging greetings, Metropolitan Alexander told Alexey Nikolayevich about his participation in the meeting between His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which was held in Moscow on November 22. The Metropolitan emphasized that during the discussion, His Holiness noted the high level of relations between the Moscow Patriarchate and the leadership of Kazakhstan, as well as the dynamically developing church life in the country. The Chairman of the Kazakh Senate conveyed heartfelt greetings to His Holiness from the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who “highly values the work of the Russian Orthodox Church in promoting interfaith dialogue and spreading moral values.”
Metropolitan Alexander and Alexey Nikolayevich praised the outcomes of the meeting between the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, which took place on November 27 in Astana. According to the head of the diplomatic mission, the Russian head of state received a warm welcome in the Republic’s capital, productive negotiations were held in both narrow and expanded formats, and 20 documents were signed, including a joint statement by the two presidents, agreements between ministries and departments, as well as between companies that will foster cooperation in various fields in Kazakhstan, such as energy, transport, new technologies, and more. The ambassador also noted that, in addition to official meetings, the presidents held private talks, which lasted about six hours.
Metropolitan Alexander shared with Alexey Nikolayevich plans for church and public events dedicated to historical dates in the upcoming 2025 year—the 50th anniversary of the blessed repose of Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), the 70th anniversary of the passing of the Holy Confessor Nicholas (Mogilevsky), Metropolitan of Alma-Ata and Kazakhstan, and the 225th anniversary of the birth of the first archpastor of the Turkestan Diocese, Archbishop Sofony (Sokolsky). The archpastor informed the ambassador that in anticipation of these sacred commemorations, a decision was made to create a memorial complex in the southern capital dedicated to Metropolitans Nicholas and Joseph. Currently, significant efforts are underway in this direction, including the restoration of historic buildings where the saintly hierarchs lived and worked, conducted worship services, wrote their sermons, and received people for spiritual guidance. According to the head of the Metropolitan District, the clergy and faithful have preserved icons, liturgical items, vestments, books, and personal belongings used by the ever-remembered hierarchs. Along with archival documents and photographs, all these unique sacred relics and items donated by the admirers of the righteous metropolitans will form the basis of an extensive museum exhibit. As the hierarch noted, the collected artifacts housed in the memorial home will help visitors immerse themselves in the atmosphere of genuine kindness and compassion that surrounded Metropolitan Nicholas and Metropolitan Joseph, feel their human modesty and evangelical simplicity, and witness their fervent love for the Church of Christ.
The ambassador told the Metropolitan about his participation in the business forum “Moscow-Astana: Creative Cities,” which took place on December 2 with the participation of a delegation from the Moscow Government, the Moscow City Duma, as well as a representative group of cultural figures from the Russian capital.
The head of the diplomatic mission and the archpastor discussed issues of Russian-Kazakh cooperation in the fields of politics, economics, education, science, culture, and art. By mutual agreement, thanks to the policies of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan currently serves as one of the significant centers of global integration processes.
During the conversation, a wide range of issues related to the role of religion and religious leaders in the modern world, as well as the state of social and confessional relations in Kazakhstan, were discussed.
At the end of the meeting, the head of the Metropolitan District and the Russian ambassador exchanged good wishes.
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