The Head of the Metropolitan District Awards Church Decorations to Workers in the Field of Spiritual and Moral Enlightenment

December 11, 2025. Almaty. In the fireplace hall of the Spiritual–Cultural Center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), a ceremony was held to present church awards to those who labored for the good of Orthodoxy on the land of Kazakhstan and to individuals marking jubilee anniversaries in the past year.

Among those awarded were: Archpriest Igor Svetlichny, sacristan of St. Nicholas Cathedral; Patriarchal Archdeacon Konstantin Bargan; President of the public foundation “Eleos-Meirim” V. M. Kapsamun; and his spouse V. I. Kapsamun.

The event was attended by: O. N. Ovchinnikov, Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, choirmaster of the choir of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Russian Church Singing; Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov, head of the Information and Publishing Department of the Metropolitan District, rector of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary and Candidate of Theology; Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky), head of the Metropolitan’s personal secretariat; Priest Georgy Sidorov, head of the administrative secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District; Protodeacon Roman Golovin, head of the Metropolitan protocol service; and D. I. Gorbashyov, benefactor of the Almaty Diocese and генеральный director of Premier Group LLP.

The Head of the Metropolitan District warmly greeted those present, noting that the gathering at the Spiritual–Cultural Center was connected with an event of great significance for Kazakhstan that had taken place the previous day – the great consecration of the newly built church in honor of the Nativity of the Mother of God in the village of Malovodnoye. The hierarch shared personal recollections of the revival of two ancient churches dedicated to the Nativity of the Queen of Heaven – in the city of Soligalich and at the Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery on the ancient Kostroma land.

Metropolitan Alexander expressed heartfelt gratitude to V. M. Kapsamun, President of the public foundation “Eleos-Meirim”, for his assistance in the construction of the Nativity of the Mother of God Church in the village of Malovodnoye. According to the Metropolitan, the newly created shrine has become an adornment of Semirechye and a visible testimony to the maternal Protecting Veil of the Mother of God spread over Kazakhstan.

The participants of the meeting discussed educational projects being implemented in the Almaty Diocese with the support of the public foundation “Eleos-Meirim”. In particular, views were exchanged on the activities of parish Sunday schools and on the necessity of constructing new spiritual–cultural centers at urban and rural churches for the purpose of Orthodox upbringing of children and youth.

In recognition of their labors for the good of Orthodoxy, the following church awards were bestowed:

• the Order of the Holy Confessor Nicholas, Metropolitan of Almaty – upon V. M. Kapsamun, President of the public foundation “Eleos-Meirim”;
• the Order of the Venerable Confessor Sebastian of Karaganda – upon Archpriest Igor Svetlichny, sacristan of St. Nicholas Cathedral;
• the Order “Enbek Üshin” (For Labors) – upon Patriarchal Archdeacon Konstantin Bargan;
• the Medal “The Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and Sophia” – upon V. I. Kapsamun, spouse of the President of the charitable foundation “Eleos-Meirim”.

His Eminence congratulated those present, thanked them for their labors and wished them health, long life and the mercy of the Lord.

On behalf of the award recipients, Archpriest Igor Svetlichny addressed the Head of the Metropolitan District with words of gratitude in response.