Russian Parliamentary Delegation Visits the Dormition Cathedral in Astana

August 23, 2026. Astana. The Dormition Cathedral was visited by a delegation of Russian parliamentarians who were in the capital on an official visit.

The guests included: A.A. Kuznetsov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Commission on Rules and Support for the Activities of the State Duma; V.V. Sipyagin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education; D.V. Gizatulin, Deputy Head of the Staff of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots; Yu.V. Lazutkina, Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy; M.G. Sidukhina, Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council Committee on the Budget and Financial Markets; O.E. Golov, member of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs; V.A. Popov, Senior Adviser in the Department for Interparliamentary Cooperation with CIS Member States of the International Relations Directorate of the Federation Council Staff; and A.N. Borodavkin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Kazakhstan.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the parliamentarians were welcomed at the country’s principal cathedral by Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev), Dean of the Parishes of Astana; Archpriest Evgeny Korolkov, Sacristan of the Dormition Cathedral; and Priest Sergiy Pinigin.

Archimandrite Sergiy gave the members of the delegation a tour of the cathedral, telling them 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 its carved and gilded iconostasis and icon cases, crafted in the traditions of the 17th century by woodcarvers 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 Dean of the capital’s parishes 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.

The guests prayed and lit candles before the cathedral’s holy icons.

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

At the conclusion of the cordial visit, the members of the delegation asked that their gratitude be conveyed to Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan for the opportunity to visit the principal cathedral of the capital and to pray before its holy icons.