The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan took part in a diplomatic event dedicated to the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia

2 April 2026. In Alma-Ata, a diplomatic event dedicated to the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia was held, organized by the General Consulates of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. The ceremonial reception was attended by diplomats, representatives of traditional confessions, public organizations, veterans of the Great Patriotic War, as well as representatives of business and culture.

The guest of honor of the celebration was the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan.

Among the invited were: Administrator of the Metropolitan District Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen; Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, member of the Church-Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ for the development of church singing, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation O.N. Ovchinnikov; Head of the Public Relations Department of the District Archpriest Alexander Suvorov; rector of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov; Head of the Culture Department of the District Priest Bogdan Boyko; assistant to the Metropolitan Deacon Daniil Pasyuk.

The official part was opened by the General Consuls of both countries: Russian Consul Dmitry Alexandrovich Turaev recalled the 30th anniversary of the treaty on the formation of the community of Russia and Belarus and emphasized the strong ties between the peoples, while Belarusian Consul Denis Vladimirovich Meleshkin noted the role of Kazakhstan in strengthening cooperation and the importance of shared historical values.

Metropolitan Alexander addressed those gathered with words of greeting. In his speech, the archpastor noted that Orthodoxy plays a key role as a fundamental unifying link connecting Belarus and Russia on spiritual, historical and cultural levels.

A concert program was presented to the guests. Among the performing groups were pupils of the Central Sunday School of the Alma-Ata diocese (director – laureate of the Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) Prize Galina Cherepanova; choreographer Maria Privalova). For participation in the festive event, the school was awarded a letter of appreciation.

The event became part of a series of activities held outside Russia and Belarus aimed at strengthening international ties and maintaining traditions of diplomatic interaction.