Meeting Held Between the Head of the Metropolitan District and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus M.V. Ryzhenkov

15 April 2026. Alma-Ata. Following the official opening ceremony and consecration of the Consulate General of Belarus in the Southern Capital, Metropolitan Alexander met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, M.V. Ryzhenkov, who is in Kazakhstan on an official visit.

The Head of the Metropolitan District welcomed Maxim Vladimirovich and congratulated him on the Paschal celebrations.

The two sides exchanged views on the importance of the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Belarus in the Southern Capital. The Foreign Minister emphasized that the opening of a permanent Consulate General office is an important step in expanding Belarusian diplomatic presence in Central Asia and will contribute to the development of interregional cooperation. The metropolitan expressed hope for the further strengthening of friendly relations between Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The hierarch shared with M.V. Ryzhenkov the joyful news of the opening of the memorial house dedicated to the confessor of faith and piety, Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) of Alma-Ata and Kazakhstan. His Eminence noted that the unique exhibits gathered in the museum will help visitors enter into the atmosphere of genuine kindness and love for mankind that surrounded the hierarch, sense his human humility and simplicity, and see his fervent love for the Church of Christ.

Minister of Foreign Affairs M.V. Ryzhenkov shared with the archpastor his favorable impressions from visiting the Ascension Cathedral. The metropolitan told his guest about the details of the large-scale professional restoration of the church carried out in 2017–2020. It was noted that all work was performed under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan and UNESCO, with the participation of highly qualified specialists from Kazakhstan, Russia, Serbia, Italy, Germany, and France. The hierarch emphasized that President K.-J.K. Tokayev described this monumental undertaking as the “second birth of a national shrine of all Kazakhstan.”

During the conversation, special note was made of the important role of Orthodoxy in the spiritual and cultural life of the Kazakh and Belarusian peoples, as well as the contribution of hierarchs and clergy to strengthening and developing multifaceted ties among the countries of the CIS.

The participants in the meeting also spoke about the unique model of interethnic peace and interreligious harmony that has taken shape in Kazakhstan, which today should serve as a good example for countries where conflicts arise on ethnic or religious grounds.

An exchange of views then took place on matters of mutual interest.

At the conclusion of the meeting, held in a warm atmosphere, the Head of the Metropolitan District and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus exchanged wishes of health and success in their labors.