Chairperson of Russia’s Central Election Commission E.A. Pamfilova Visits the Dormition Cathedral in Astana

August 22, 2026. Astana. E.A. Pamfilova, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, visited the Dormition Cathedral.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the distinguished guest, who was in the capital of Kazakhstan on an official visit, was welcomed at the country’s principal cathedral by Archpriest Evgeny Korolkov, Sacristan of the Dormition Cathedral in Astana, and Priest Sergiy Pinigin.

The clergymen gave Ella Alexandrovna a tour of the cathedral, telling her about its construction and adornment; the murals on its walls and vaults, executed by a team of master iconographers from Palekh (Ivanovo Region, Russia); and the creation of the carved and gilded iconostasis and icon cases, made in the traditions of the 17th century by craftsmen of the St. Theodore Stratelates Art and Production Workshop in Kostroma, Russia, and adorned with icons painted by S.N. Sokolov, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. The Sacristan of the country’s principal cathedral noted that the Dormition Cathedral had been visited by prominent state, religious and public figures, including Primates and hierarchs of the Orthodox Churches, leaders of traditional religious communities, presidents and heads of government.

Archpriest Evgeny Korolkov told Ella Alexandrovna about the history of the construction of the Dormition Cathedral, in whose construction and adornment leading craftsmen from Kazakhstan, Russia and other CIS countries took part.

The distinguished guest venerated two revered images of the Most Holy Theotokos: the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God – an exact, full-size copy of the ancient wonderworking icon kept in the city of Kostroma – and the Astana-Pochaev Icon of the Queen of Heaven, symbolizing the heavenly protection of the Sovereign Lady over the land of Kazakhstan. Before the cathedral’s holy icons, the Chairperson of the Russian Central Election Commission prayed and lit candles.

During the ensuing conversation, the clergy told Ella Alexandrovna about the life of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, provided statistics on the number of dioceses, parishes and clergymen, and spoke about the Church hierarchy’s plans for implementing educational, cultural, youth and social projects.

At the conclusion of the cordial meeting, the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation asked the clergymen to convey her gratitude to Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan for the opportunity to visit the principal cathedral of the metropolis and to pray before its holy icons.