Representatives of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District Took Part in the XII Church-Wide Congress on Social Ministry

From 8 to 11 November 2025, in Moscow, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, the XII Church-Wide Congress on Social Ministry was held.

The largest charitable forum of the Russian Orthodox Church brought together heads of diocesan social departments, senior sisters of communities of mercy, heads of charitable organizations, social workers, and representatives of state authorities.

More than 1000 participants took part in the congress from the dioceses of Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the following representatives of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District took part in the forum: Archbishop Varsonofy of Kokshetau and Akmola; the chairman of the Commission of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District for Charity and Social Ministry, Archpriest Vyacheslav Pugachev; the head of the “You Are Needed by the World” project, Deacon Bogdan Boyko; the senior sister of the Sisterhood in honor of the Holy Royal Passion-bearers, A.A. Belimova; and the volunteer service coordinator, R.M. Abakhanova.

The main themes of the congress were assistance to refugees and those affected by armed conflict, including patients in hospitals and military medical centers.

Participants also discussed matters of aid to the homeless, orphans, people with disabilities, and those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction.