Meeting Held Between the Chairman of the DECR, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, and the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Russia D.A. Abayev

16 February 2026 – Moscow. A meeting took place at the Embassy of Kazakhstan between the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Russia, Dauren Askerbekovich Abayev.

D.A. Abayev presented Metropolitan Anthony with the badge and certificate of Goodwill Ambassador of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Goodwill Ambassadors are appointed by decision of the governing bodies of the Congress from among respected religious and public leaders. Their task is to promote the ideas of peacebuilding dialogue among traditional religions and to foster positive interreligious relations on the international stage.

During the subsequent conversation, the Chairman of the DECR expressed his gratitude to the head of Kazakhstan’s diplomatic mission for conferring upon him the status of Goodwill Ambassador of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The parties discussed the activities of this authoritative international dialogue platform, as well as the state of interreligious relations in the world, in Russia and in Kazakhstan. The high level of cooperation between the state leadership of Kazakhstan and the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church was noted. The participants agreed to continue constructive cooperation for the benefit of good relations between the peoples of the two countries.

Also taking part in the meeting were Priest Ilya Kashitsyn, Secretary for Interreligious Relations of the DECR, and D.B. Kurmanov, Counsellor of the Embassy.

Materials of the official DECR portal.