Meeting of the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan with the Akim of the Capital Zh.M. Kassymbek

June 4, 2025. Astana. A meeting took place at the Akimat of the capital between the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, and the Akim of the metropolis, Zhenis Makhmudovich Kassymbek.

Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev), Dean of the Astana Church District, also took part in the meeting.

Metropolitan Alexander and Zhenis Makhmudovich exchanged congratulations on the Day of State Symbols. In the Republic of Kazakhstan, the State Symbols are – the State Flag, the State Emblem, and the State Anthem.

His Eminence informed the Akim of the metropolis about current events in the life of the Astana Eparchy and the Capital Deanery District, particularly about a major educational program being conducted at the Spiritual and Cultural Center of the Mitropolitan District dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

The hierarch warmly thanked Zhenis Makhmudovich for his assistance in the creation of architectural and artistic illumination for the main church of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan – the Uspensky Cathedral.

The head of the city’s executive authority shared with Metropolitan Alexander information about the work of the Akimat. He noted that Astana continues its systematic efforts to expand infrastructure facilities providing the city with heat, water, and electricity. According to Zhenis Makhmudovich, this year Astana plans to improve around 180 courtyards and public spaces, including parks, squares, and boulevards.

During the conversation, issues of cooperation between the Astana Eparchy of the Mitropolitan District and the administration of Astana were discussed.

The Head of the Mitropolitan District and the Akim of the capital also discussed the preliminary program of the upcoming Primatial visit of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, who will visit Kazakhstan from September 16 to 21 of this year at the invitation of the Head of State K.–Zh.K. Tokayev. His Holiness will participate in the VIII Congress of World and Traditional Religions and celebrate the Liturgy at the Uspensky Cathedral in Astana.

One of the key topics of the meeting was the discussion of the construction in the metropolis of a spiritual, cultural, and educational center with a church dedicated to All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Land of Kazakhstan. This project is being carried out with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and with the approval of the President of the country. It was noted that the educational center and Orthodox church established in the nation’s capital, together with the complex of the central mosque – the largest in the Republic – will become a visible embodiment of the spiritual strength of the people of Kazakhstan, their unity, and fidelity to their historical and cultural heritage.

At the conclusion of the meeting, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, the parties exchanged wishes of health and success in their labors.