Delegation of Czech Parliamentarians and Diplomats Visited the Main Church of the Ust-Kamenogorsk Diocese

July 13, 2025 – A delegation of parliamentarians and diplomats from the Czech Republic paid an official visit to the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the First-Called in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk and to the spiritual and administrative center of the Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk Diocese.

The foreign delegation included: Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic J. Bartošek, Defense Attaché of the Czech Republic Colonel T. Říman, Advisor to the Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic M. Žour, officials of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic P. Kugler, P. Filipek, R. Hrast, Officer of the International Relations Department of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic J. Lipecka, and interpreter Š. Golišová.

The delegation was accompanied by Deputy Akim of the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk I. F. Smith and Head of the Strategic Development Department of the Department of Culture of the East Kazakhstan Region R. K. Nurmukhanova.

The high-ranking guests were welcomed on the territory of the main church of the capital of the Ore Altai by Archbishop Amphilochius of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk. During the visit, the guests became acquainted with the architecture of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the First-Called and toured one of the most significant monuments of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the region – the Fortress Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. This unique church, built in the 18th century, is an outstanding example of Russian church architecture in Kazakhstan and holds the status of an architectural monument.

The visitors also toured the Church-Archaeological Office at the diocesan administration, where they learned about the history of the Orthodox Church in Eastern Kazakhstan, the spiritual life of the region, local shrines, and archival materials.

At the conclusion of the visit, Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic J. Bartošek, on behalf of the members of the delegation, thanked Archbishop Amphilochius for the tour and warm reception, and expressed hope for further strengthening of friendly ties between the peoples and confessions of Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic.