October 8, 2024. Uralsk. A meeting took place in the Akimat (administration) of the West Kazakhstan Region between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, and Nariman Turegalievich Turegaliev, head of the regional executive authority.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Orthodox Church: Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, Vicar of the Astana Diocese, Bishop Vianor of Uralsk and Atyrau, Protopriest Vladimir Garasim, Dean of the Uralsk Church District, and Archdeacon Roman Golovin, Head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Service. On the side of the secular authorities, Deputy Akim of West Kazakhstan Region K.E. Mendigaliev and Head of the Department of Religious Affairs A.A. Karatay were present.
The regional akim thanked Metropolitan Alexander for the visit and expressed gratitude to the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan for his care for the spiritual life of the region and for bringing a significant Orthodox relic to West Kazakhstan – the reliquary containing the holy relics of Blessed Matrona of Moscow.
Metropolitan Alexander informed the regional leader that the bringing of this highly revered relic to the dioceses of the Metropolitan District is being carried out with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana and Almaty Diocese. The Metropolitan noted that from September 29 to October 7, more than 100,000 people venerated the relics in Astana and Almaty.
Nariman Turegalievich spoke to Metropolitan Alexander about the life of the region and his participation in the International Environmental Forum, held as part of the nationwide environmental campaign “Taza Kazakhstan,” initiated by the President of the Republic K.K. Tokayev.
The participants in the meeting praised the organization and conduct of the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant. According to the akim, the national referendum allows citizens to directly participate in making decisions that could significantly impact the future of the country. The number of Kazakh citizens who voted in favor of the proposal was 5,561,937 people, or 71.12%.
The meeting also addressed the issue of dealing with the aftermath of the spring floods, which the head of state called the largest disaster in 80 years. The regional leader reported that the provision of new housing to the flood-affected residents is ongoing.
The Head of the Metropolitan District noted that in the efforts to overcome the consequences of the disaster, the multinational and multiconfessional people of the country demonstrated their noble qualities of unity and solidarity. Metropolitan Alexander emphasized that the clergy and laity of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan actively supported the victims, worked in rescue teams, and participated in the collection and distribution of humanitarian aid.
The archpastors and the akim of the region discussed important topics from the President’s address to the nation, delivered at the joint session of Parliament on September 2. In his address, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev once again emphasized that openness and tolerance have always been the defining features of Kazakh society – fundamental values that form the foundation of the unity and harmony of the people. According to the mutual opinion of the participants, the unique model of friendly relations among the people will ensure the future success of the Republic in areas such as national economy, social development, and international diplomacy.
The participants also underscored the significance of cooperation between government bodies, public organizations, and the major religions of Kazakhstan – Islam of the Hanafi madhhab and Orthodox Christianity – in strengthening national unity and jointly combating extremism.
At the conclusion of the meeting, N.T. Turegaliev and Metropolitan Alexander exchanged mutual wishes for health, peace, and success in serving the people of the country. The Metropolitan presented the regional leader with his scholarly work, “The History of Christianity in Central Asia,” and the 2025 Metropolitan District calendar.
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