Archbishop Amphilochius of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk Awarded Title of “Honorary Citizen of Ust-Kamenogorsk”

On June 24, 2025, a working meeting took place between Archbishop Amphilochius of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk and the Akim (mayor) of Ust-Kamenogorsk, A.T. Akyshov, at the spiritual, cultural, and administrative center of the Ust-Kamenogorsk Diocese named after Hieromartyr Alexander Dagaev.

Participants from the Orthodox Church included: Hieromonk Silouan (Magilev), Dean of the Ust-Kamenogorsk Church District; Hieromonk Nikodim (Avdeev), Sacristan of St. Andrew’s Cathedral; Deacon Ilya Kwan, Secretary of the Ust-Kamenogorsk Diocese; and staff of the diocesan administration. From the civil authorities were: I.F. Smith, Deputy Akim of Ust-Kamenogorsk; R.A. Akhmetzhanov, Head of the Internal Policy Department; and other officials from the city administration.

Akim Almat Talgatovich welcomed Archbishop Amphilochius and congratulated him on his birthday, emphasizing the hierarch’s significant contribution to promoting interfaith dialogue and preserving peace and stability in East Kazakhstan.

During the meeting, the head of the city administration presented Archbishop Amphilochius with the certificate and badge of Honorary Citizen of Ust-Kamenogorsk. According to the official citation, the honorary title was conferred upon the Archbishop for his contribution to the spiritual and moral development of the capital of the Rudny Altai.

The hierarch expressed gratitude to the city akimat for its efforts in strengthening interethnic and interfaith harmony and for supporting diocesan initiatives aimed at preserving traditional moral and spiritual values in society.

His Eminence presented Almat Talgatovich with a copy of the Holy Scripture translated into the Kazakh language.

At the conclusion of the meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere, the participants exchanged well wishes and expressed confidence in the continued fruitful cooperation between the city administration and the Ust-Kamenogorsk Diocese for the benefit of the people of Rudny Altai.

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Head of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan, personally congratulated Archbishop Amphilochius by phone on the conferral of the honorary title, wishing him good health and the grace of God.