Congratulations from the Akim of Kaskelen A.O. Mukashev on the 125th Anniversary of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel

21 November 2025. Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan and the Orthodox residents of Kaskelen received congratulations on the historic date – the 125th anniversary of the completion and consecration of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel – from the Akim of the city, Askar Okenovich Mukashev:

Your Eminence, Metropolitan Alexander,

Dear residents and guests of Kaskelen,

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this important anniversary – the 125th anniversary of the Church of the Archangel Michael, which rightfully holds a special place on the spiritual and cultural map of our region. This church has become not only an architectural landmark but also a unique guardian of historical memory.

In its appearance and in its fate, one can see reflected the key stages in the development of our city and our country. From the architects who built it in the distant year of 1900 to the modern engineers restoring the church today – the same people who created the symbol of Kazakhstan’s independence, Baiterek – it unites spiritual heritage, cultural experience and a living connection between generations, serving as an important point of support for all who seek inspiration and moral meaning.

The fate of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Kaskelen is also an example of remarkable resilience. Having endured years of deprivation and loss from 1928 to the late 1990s, it managed to preserve its cultural essence and spiritual significance. Its revival became possible thanks to the love for our native city, the sense of responsibility and the noble efforts of all who contributed to its restoration. This period of renewal is of special value: the church became a symbol of interfaith and interethnic unity, gaining the status of a people’s shrine – for it rose again through the efforts of people of different countries, nationalities and beliefs. It remained a space of mutual respect. It is precisely such places that form an atmosphere of trust, harmony and civic solidarity – the foundations of a strong society.

Today, as it enters a new century of its history, the Church of the Archangel Michael continues to serve as a place of enlightenment, unity and inner renewal. I am confident that its role in the life of the city will continue to strengthen our values and remind us of the importance of heritage, trust and spiritual resilience.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish the rector, parishioners and all residents peace, well-being and further development. May this anniversary inspire each of us to creative work for the benefit of future generations!