Meeting of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

September 17, 2025. Astana. On the eve of the opening of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, a meeting took place between His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The conversation was held at the presidential residence Akorda.

Welcoming the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, the President of Kazakhstan emphasized that today’s meeting would be another important step in deepening cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia.

“I would first of all like to express my sincere gratitude to you for deciding to be here with us during the days of the Congress. Your participation is, in fact, key to achieving the success of this forum. We treat you with sincere respect. You know that Kazakhstan and Russia are strategic partners and allies,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

In his reply, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill noted:

“Visits to your blessed country have always been accompanied, and are accompanied now, by an elevated level of positive emotions for me. Kazakhstan is a friendly country. We truly lived together for centuries. Today our states are separate, but this does not prevent us from preserving bonds of friendship, mutual support, and cooperation.”

For his contribution to strengthening the spiritual ties between the two peoples and as a sign of special respect, the President of Kazakhstan awarded His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ the nation’s highest honor – the Order Altyn Qyran (“Golden Eagle”), according to the official website of the President of Kazakhstan.

Present at the meeting were Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, head of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan, and Metropolitan Pavel of Krutitsy and Kolomna, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Office for the Affairs of Dioceses in the Near Abroad.

Also in attendance were: M.S. Ashimbaev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan; R.V. Sklyar, First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan; A.G. Balaeva, Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan; D.A. Abaev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation; E.Kh. Kazykhanov, Assistant to the President of Kazakhstan for International Affairs; and A.N. Borodavkin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Kazakhstan.