A Meeting Between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan and the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan M.S. Ashimbayev

On December 9, 2024, in Astana, a meeting took place in the Senate of the Republic between the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, and the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the country, Maulen Sagathanovich Ashimbayev.

The meeting was also attended by the Dean of the Capital’s Parishes, Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev), and the Chief of Staff of the Senate, M.A. Spotkay.

One of the significant topics of discussion was the results of the meeting between the Speaker of the Kazakh Senate and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, which took place at the Patriarchal residence in the Danilov Monastery in Moscow on November 22 of this year. Maulen Sagathanovich emphasized that the Russian Orthodox Church contributes to strengthening global interfaith dialogue and advancing spiritual diplomacy at the international level while fully supporting the holding of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan.

The parties discussed preparations for the VIII Congress in Astana, which will focus on the theme: “Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Future.”

Metropolitan Alexander and M.S. Ashimbayev discussed the implementation of an initiative proposed by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to commemorate the memory of Orthodox hierarchs, clergy, and laity who suffered for their faith on the territory of modern Kazakhstan in the 20th century. His Holiness, well-acquainted with the history of persecution against Orthodoxy, proposed the construction of a memorial church in Lysya Balka, located within the present-day city of Shymkent. This infamous site became the place of execution and final resting place for thousands of Orthodox Christians, including Metropolitan Cyril (Smirnov) of Kazan, Metropolitan Joseph (Petrovykh), Archbishop Alexy (Orlov), Bishop Eugene (Kobranov), and many other renowned hierarchs and clergy, as well as countless ordinary believers.

Maulen Sagathanovich informed the Metropolitan that the noble idea of His Holiness has been well received by the country’s leadership, and in Lysya Balka, in memory of the innocently repressed individuals—whose number exceeds 18,000 according to official data—a memorial mosque and an Orthodox chapel will be constructed.

The Head of the Metropolitan District informed the Senate Speaker about the realization of a spiritually and culturally significant project—the construction of an Orthodox educational center in Astana, featuring a church dedicated to All Saints of Kazakhstan. The hierarch emphasized that this project has received the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, as well as the approval of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Mishustin. Metropolitan Alexander shared with his interlocutor that the land plot allocated by the city authorities has been adequately prepared for construction, and with the support of benefactors, work has already begun.

Another topic of discussion was the planned exhibition in Kazakhstan next year dedicated to the unique historical and archaeological artifact—the Shroud of Turin. As Metropolitan Alexander noted, the initiators and organizers of this project, which coincides with the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, include the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, the international charitable organization “Kirche in Not” (“Aid to the Church in Need”), and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Astana. Maulen Sagathanovich was informed that the exhibition, already internationally recognized, was created on the initiative of the Representation of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in Germany. It includes a full-size replica of the Shroud of Turin and exhibits dedicated to scientific studies of the artifact. The exhibition is scheduled to open in April of the coming year, with events planned in Astana, Karaganda, and Petropavlovsk, concluding in Almaty.

The archpastor shared with M.S. Ashimbayev the results of bringing the relics and the robe of Blessed Matrona of Moscow to the Metropolitan District. The Metropolitan reported that over a short period, more than 300,000 people venerated the relic, which visited the capital of the Republic—Astana, the southern capital—Almaty, as well as major regional centers and cities of the country, providing them with spiritual consolation, strength, and support.

At the end of the meeting, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic congratulated each other on the upcoming New Year and exchanged wishes for health and success in their endeavors.