On October 9, 2024, at the invitation of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, a delegation from the municipality of Ellinikon-Argyroupolis of the Hellenic Republic visited the Assumption Cathedral and the administrative and spiritual-cultural center of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan, named after Cyril and Methodius.
Ellinikon-Argyroupolis is a municipality in the southern sector of Athens in the Attica region of Greece.
The delegation was led by the Mayor of Ellinikon-Argyroupolis, Ioannis Konstantatos. The group included: Deputy Mayor for Youth and People with Disabilities, Eleni Alexiou; Municipal Councilor and Advisor for Technical Services, Fotios Iasonides; Municipal Councilor and Advisor for Municipal Police, Konstantinos Vagias; well-known Greek singer and Municipal Councilor, Nikolaos Kourkoulis; Municipal Councilor and Advisor for Urban Planning, Georgios Sarafidis; Municipal Councilor, Georgios Zelios; Director of the Mayor’s Office, Georgios Konstantatos; Head of the Municipal Administration, Dimitra Varoutaki; Head of the Mayor’s Administrative Support Department, Adamantia Sampaziotou; Honorary Citizen of Ellinikon-Argyroupolis, Georgios Papadopoulos; General Director of the Kazakhstan-Greek Business Council, Konstantinos Petridis; and International Relations and Investments Coordinator of the Kazakhstan-Greek Business Council, Elena Yakutova.
The distinguished guests were welcomed by the Dean of the Astana Church District, Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev), and the Dean of the Assumption Cathedral, Protopriest Dmitry Baydek.
During a tour of the Republic’s main church, the Dean told the Greek delegation about the construction and adornment of the cathedral, including the interior frescoes painted by the iconographers’ guild from the town of Palekh (Ivanovo Region, Russia), led by member of the Union of Russian Artists, V.K. Kurilov. He also described the creation of the intricately carved gilded iconostasis, crafted by the woodcarving workshop named after Theodore Stratelates in the 17th-century tradition, and adorned with icons painted by Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, S.N. Sokolov.
The delegation lit candles before the holy relics of the cathedral.
The guests then visited the spiritual-cultural center of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan, where they viewed the museum exhibits dedicated to the New Martyrs and Confessors of Kazakhstan and signed the guestbook.
Further discussions between the Dean and the Greek delegation took place in the fireplace hall of the spiritual-cultural center.
During the conversation, Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev) spoke to Ioannis Konstantatos and his companions about the life of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan and the Astana Diocese, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. He provided statistics on the number of dioceses, parishes, and clergy and informed them about plans for educational, cultural, youth, and social projects.
The Dean of the Astana Church District also informed the delegation that in response to a petition from Metropolitan Alexander, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the relics of Blessed Matrona of Moscow, one of the most revered saints of the Orthodox faithful, have been visiting Kazakhstan from September 28 to November 10.
The meeting concluded in a warm atmosphere with an exchange of well-wishes for success in their good works and mutual gifts.
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