The Governor of the Kirov Region, A.V. Sokolov, congratulated Metropolitan Alexander on the 35th anniversary of his archpastoral ordination

The Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, was congratulated on the 35th anniversary of his archpastoral ordination by the Governor of the Kirov Region, Alexander Valentinovich Sokolov:

Your Eminence, dear Metropolitan Alexander!

On behalf of the people of the Vyatka region and myself, I congratulate you on the 35th anniversary of your archpastoral ordination.

From a young age, you dedicated your life to serving Holy Orthodoxy. Being a native of the Vyatka region, you worked diligently on your homeland during the dawn of the spiritual revival of our Fatherland. On your small homeland, you are remembered as a zealous and active clergyman, a remarkable preacher, and the restorer of the Velikoretsky Cross Procession. Through your efforts, for the first time in modern history, after decades of persecution against the faith, the ancient Church of the Trinity in Makarye was returned to the Church and restored from ruins. It is heartwarming that, as the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, you have not forgotten the Vyatka land, continuing to visit the places dear to your heart, and maintaining communication with clergy, regional administration, and public representatives.

During your years of service in Kazakhstan, historic changes have taken place in the life of the Orthodox Church in the Republic. New churches have been built, ancient shrines have been restored, and social, charitable, and youth ministries have flourished. You established large-scale activities aimed at providing spiritual and moral support to compatriots. The major cultural and educational projects initiated under your leadership contribute to the strengthening of traditional moral values and the preservation of historical memory in the Republic.

I congratulate you on this significant date and wish you health, peace, prosperity, and continued success in your high ministry.