Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko Presents Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan with the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland,” Second Class

July 29, 2026 – Astana. At the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, was presented with the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland,” Second Class.

The high state decoration was presented to Metropolitan Alexander on behalf of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin by Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Dmitry Nikolayevich Chernyshenko.

According to the Presidential Decree (No. 488 of July 13, 2026), the hierarch was awarded this distinguished Russian state honor “for his contribution to the preservation and development of spiritual and moral traditions, and for his many years of charitable and public service.”

Addressing Metropolitan Alexander, Dmitry Chernyshenko said:

“It is a great honor, on behalf of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, to present you with this highest state award in recognition of your outstanding contribution to the development of relations between Russia and Kazakhstan, to the promotion of spiritual and moral values, and to your work with the young people of both our countries, for our youth are our future.

We have just had the opportunity to tour the construction site. We are now standing in the church consecrated by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’. This project is being carried out with His Holiness’ blessing and with the support of President Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev of Kazakhstan. We express our sincere gratitude to the authorities of Kazakhstan. The Government of the Russian Federation is also participating in and supporting this endeavor. We are grateful that benefactors are likewise contributing to this common project.

Thank you for your prayers and your dedicated labors. We deeply appreciate them, and I am confident that the people of Astana appreciate them as well.”

The Deputy Prime Minister also thanked the Akimat of Astana for its assistance in implementing the project, noting that an extraordinary oasis of peace, goodness, justice, and faith is taking shape around the church complex.

In his response, Metropolitan Alexander said in part:

“I would ask you, dear Dmitry Nikolayevich, to convey my heartfelt gratitude to the President of the Russian Federation, the deeply respected Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, who made the decision to bestow upon me this high state award.

The nomination for this decoration was initiated by the Primate of our Church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, to whom I am profoundly grateful. It was through his holy blessing that this newly built Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh first received its spiritual life.

I also express my gratitude to the President of Kazakhstan, the highly respected Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev, who approved the construction of this Orthodox church. Not only a church, but a large spiritual and cultural center is being established here—one that will stand as a witness to the great friendship between Russia and Kazakhstan.

Our Orthodox Church, everywhere and always, follows the commandments of Christ the Savior in bringing peace and concord. It is especially important that, in our country, the development of interreligious and interethnic dialogue is pursued jointly by Orthodox Christians and the followers of the Republic’s largest religious community—the representatives of Hanafi Islam. I am grateful to be able, according to my strength and ability, to take part in this noble work.

Dear Dmitry Nikolayevich, I thank you for carrying out the will of the head of our state, the deeply respected Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. May God’s mercy always be upon great Russia and upon blessed Kazakhstan, where the Lord has granted me the privilege of serving for almost seventeen years—serving the people who live here and working to strengthen the fraternal bonds between our two countries.”

Among those present at the award ceremony were A.N. Borodavkin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Kazakhstan; Archbishop George Panamthundil, Apostolic Nuncio to Kazakhstan; R. Ali, Vice Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan; T.A. Rakhmanberdi, Deputy Akim of Astana; and N.V. Parshikova, Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation.

Also attending the ceremony were benefactors supporting the construction of the spiritual, cultural, and educational center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District: U.N. Kremlev, G.P. Morozov, and T.R. Turlov.

Representing the Orthodox Church were O.N. Ovchinnikov, Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Honored Figure of Kazakhstan and Honored Artist of the Russian Federation; Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev), Dean of the parishes of Astana; Archpriest Vasily Movchanyuk, Head of the Department for Religious Education and Catechesis of the Diocese of Smolensk; Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov, Rector of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary and Head of the Information and Publishing Department of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District; Hegumen Agafangel (Gagua), Vice-Rector of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary, Candidate of Theology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and Professor; Archpriest Sergiy Kaliyev, dean of the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen in Astana; Priest Georgy Sidorov, Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District; Priest Sergiy Dianov, dean of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh; Protodeacon Roman Golovin, Head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Service; Protodeacon Sergiy Kulikov; and clergy of the Astana Deanery.

Based on materials from the official portal of the Government of the Russian Federation.