Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan Meets with Akim of the Abai Region Berik Uali

August 14, 2026. Semipalatinsk. A meeting between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, and B.U. Uali, Akim of the Abai Region, took place at the regional Akimat.

The meeting was attended by: Archbishop Amphilochius of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk; O.N. Ovchinnikov, Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan and Honored Art Worker of the Russian Federation; the Rector of the Resurrection Cathedral in Semipalatinsk; Protodeacon Roman Golovin, Head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Service; Deacon Ilya Kvan, Secretary of the Ust-Kamenogorsk Diocese; and, representing the state authorities, Deputy Akim of the Region M.A. Rakhanov and Acting Head of the Regional Department for Religious Affairs N.M. Kobzhasarov.

Following an exchange of greetings, the head of the region’s executive authority briefed the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan on the life of one of the Republic’s youngest regions – the Abai Region, established on June 8, 2022, in accordance with a decree of President K.-J.K. Tokayev and comprising territories that had formed part of the former Semipalatinsk Region until 1997. Berik Uali emphasized that the establishment of the new region was a significant initiative of the country’s leadership aimed at improving regional governance and strengthening its economic potential.

The Akim told Vladyka Metropolitan about his life and career, including his work at the Kazakhstani television channels “Tan”, “NTK”, and “Channel 31”, as well as his service as Chairman of the Board of the “Khabar Agency” and Press Secretary to the President of Kazakhstan.

The parties discussed the religious situation in the region and cooperation between the state authorities and the Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk Diocese in improving the spiritual and moral state of society and strengthening interconfessional peace and interreligious harmony.

One of the topics discussed was the work of local executive authorities and election commissions in preparation for a historic event for Kazakhstan – the election of deputies to the Kurultai, scheduled for August 23, 2026.

Metropolitan Alexander told B.U. Uali about the life of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, which is marking several significant historical anniversaries this year, including the 25th anniversary of the finding of the relics of the country’s heavenly patrons, Hieromartyrs Seraphim and Theognostus of Almaty, and the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Ust-Kamenogorsk Diocese, whose second cathedral city is Semipalatinsk.

The participants noted the importance of organizing various cultural and educational events – concerts, exhibitions, academic conferences, and round tables – through the joint efforts of religious organizations and public associations with the support of the secular authorities.

A particular topic of the meeting was the preservation of the region’s historical and cultural heritage, one of its significant monuments being the Resurrection Cathedral in Semipalatinsk.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Metropolitan Alexander and Berik Uali exchanged commemorative gifts and wished each other good health and success in their endeavors.