The Head of the Kazakhstani Metropolitan District Meets with the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus, P.V. Utyupin, Concluding His Diplomatic Service in Kazakhstan

January 29, 2025. Almaty. A meeting took place at the administrative and spiritual-cultural center of the Kazakhstani Metropolitan District, named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), between the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Kazakhstan, P.V. Utyupin.

Pavel Vladimirovich is concluding his diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan and returning to Belarus.

The meeting was also attended by D.V. Zorin, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Kazakhstan.

After an exchange of greetings, the diplomat expressed condolences on the tragic passing of Archbishop Serapion (Kolosnitsyn) of Kokshetau and Akmola, acknowledging the late hierarch’s contribution to the spiritual life of Kazakhstan.

Metropolitan Alexander thanked the ambassador for his valuable contribution to fostering dialogue between the Belarusian diplomatic mission and the Kazakhstani Metropolitan District, wishing him success in his future endeavors.

The metropolitan shared with P.V. Utyupin his reflections on the recent Nativity celebrations in the Metropolitan District, noting the unwavering public interest in the traditional Epiphany immersions, particularly in the nation’s capital, Astana, where thousands of residents took part in the ritual of immersion in the Jordan.

P.V. Utyupin, in turn, spoke about his recent meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, M.A. Nurtleu, where they discussed the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation between Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Metropolitan Alexander congratulated the ambassador on receiving state honors and recognition “for his fruitful and active work and significant contribution to strengthening friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations” – namely, the Certificate of Appreciation from the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, K.-J.K. Tokayev, and the ‘Altyn Barys’ breastplate.

Both parties expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of Belarusian-Kazakhstani relations in recent years. Metropolitan Alexander emphasized the ambassador’s personal role in strengthening bilateral political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties.

As a memento of the meeting and a blessing for his future work, the Head of the Metropolitan District presented P.V. Utyupin with an icon of the Holy and Pious Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky, emphasizing that this saint is the heavenly patron of diplomatic service. The metropolitan noted that President Tokayev himself referred to the Grand Duke as the ‘Great Diplomat.’

The meeting, held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, concluded with an exchange of well wishes for success in all good undertakings and initiatives.