A Meeting Between Metropolitan Alexander and Newly Appointed Deputy Akim of Almaty A.N. Nukenov

13 November 2025. Almaty. At the city akimat, a meeting took place between the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, and the newly appointed Deputy Akim of the southern capital, Abzal Nukenovich Nukenov.

A.N. Nukenov will oversee the spheres of public development, education, culture, religion, and youth policy.

Metropolitan Alexander warmly congratulated Abzal Nukenovich on assuming an important post in the administration of the metropolis, wishing him success in his labors.

During the conversation, the hierarch told the Deputy Akim about the life of the Almaty Diocese, giving particular attention to the theme of church–state and church–society relations. The participants outlined prospects for further cooperation between diocesan departments and the structures of the city administration in the fields of countering extremism and radicalism, as well as preserving interfaith peace and interethnic harmony in society.

The metropolitan shared his impressions of the visit of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to Astana. The archpastor informed A.N. Nukenov that, in addition to participating in the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church consecrated the newly built Church of St. Sergius and blessed the continued development of an educational and spiritual center dedicated to All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Land of Kazakhstan; at the Assumption Cathedral, before a great multitude of faithful, he offered a prayer service to the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Church of Christ.

The interlocutors expressed high appreciation for the results of the state visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, to Moscow, during which Russia and Kazakhstan signed a declaration on comprehensive strategic partnership.

At the conclusion of the meeting, which took place in a spirit of mutual trust, Metropolitan Alexander and A.N. Nukenov exchanged wishes of health and success in their work.