Head of the Metropolitan District Visits the Under-Construction Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Taldykorgan and Meets with Deputy Akim of the Zhetysu Region D.R. Yesdauletov

May 24, 2026. Taldykorgan. Following the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. John the Theologian, a meeting took place at the parish spiritual and cultural center between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan and D.R. Yesdauletov, Deputy Akim of the Zhetysu Region.

Participating in the meeting on behalf of the Orthodox Church were: vicar of the Astana Diocese, Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan; President of the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation V.M. Kapsamun; secretary to the Head of the Metropolitan District, Hieromonk Dimitry (Baidek); head of the Metropolitan Secretariat, Hieromonk Prokhor (Yendovitsky); head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov; and rector of the Church of the Holy Unmercenary Martyrs Cosmas and Damian in Alma-Ata, Priest Andrei Shklyar. Representing the regional authorities was S.A. Zhanabay, Head of the Religious Affairs Department of the Zhetysu Region.

Following an exchange of greetings, the Deputy Akim thanked Metropolitan Alexander for his visit and expressed appreciation to the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan for his care for the spiritual life of the region.

Dias Rakhmetovich informed the Head of the Metropolitan District about the life of the region and the socio-economic development of one of the youngest regions of the Republic, established by decree of President Kassym-Jomart K. Tokayev on June 8, 2022. It was noted that the political and socio-economic development of Kazakhstan as a whole, as well as of its individual regions, and the successful resolution of issues concerning the improvement of various aspects of public life, depend directly upon the preservation of peace, good neighborly relations, and interreligious and interethnic harmony.

A separate topic of discussion concerned cooperation between the administration of the Zhetysu Region and the Taldykorgan Vicariate in fostering a sound spiritual and moral climate in the region and preserving its cultural and historical heritage.

At the conclusion of the cordial meeting, Metropolitan Alexander and D.R. Yesdauletov wished one another health and success in their respective labors.

Following the meeting with the Deputy Akim of the Zhetysu Region, the Head of the Metropolitan District visited the under-construction Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos and held a working meeting together with President of the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation V.M. Kapsamun and specialists responsible for the construction.

Bishop Claudian informed the hierarch and V.M. Kapsamun about the progress of construction of the future principal church of the Taldykorgan Vicariate and the spiritual and cultural center that forms part of the architectural complex. At present, installation of the pitched roof and the smaller domes has been completed. According to the vicar of the Astana Diocese, plans for the summer include installation of the main dome, interior and exterior finishing work, and landscaping of the surrounding grounds.

His Eminence offered several recommendations regarding the further progress of construction, thanked all those involved in building the church complex, and wished them God’s help in their labors for the benefit of the Holy Church.