Metropolitan Alexander met with representatives of the leadership of the International charitable foundation “Kirche in Not”

8 March 2026. Astana. A meeting took place in the fireplace hall of the administrative and spiritual-cultural center of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan named after the Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan and representatives of the leadership of the International charitable foundation “Kirche in Not” (Aid to the Church in Need) – head of the department “Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus” P.V. Gumenyuk and the spiritual advisor and international ecclesiastical assistant of the organization Priest Anton Lesser.

Also participating in the meeting was the dean of the parishes of the capital, Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev).

After exchanging greetings and congratulations on the sacred days of Great Lent for Orthodox and Catholics, Metropolitan Alexander thanked the representatives of the organization for the assistance provided to the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District in carrying out educational, social-charitable and enlightenment activities.

During the meeting questions of cooperation between the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and the foundation “Kirche in Not” were considered.

The main topic of the conversation was the discussion of the second stage of holding in Kazakhstan the exhibition dedicated to the unique historical and archaeological monument – the Shroud of Turin, organized through the joint efforts of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, the international charitable organization “Kirche in Not” (“Aid to the Church in Need”) and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Astana. It is expected that in the current year the exhibition will take place in Petropavlovsk, Karaganda and Alma-Ata.

According to the common opinion, acquaintance with the exposition, which includes an exact copy of the Shroud of Turin and exhibits devoted to scientific research of the artifact, will contribute to the development of interconfessional and intercultural dialogue.

The interlocutors noted that the opening of the exhibition in Astana in August 2025, timed to the holding of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which gathered prominent state, religious and scientific figures of the Republic, became a significant event in the public life of Kazakhstan.

The Head of the Metropolitan District shared with the guests information about the implementation of social and charitable church projects, among which are the work of the Orthodox House of Mercy, including a children’s shelter and a home for the elderly, the activity of the diocesan crisis center for comprehensive assistance to pregnant women and mothers with infants who have found themselves in difficult life situations – the “House for Mom” in Alma-Ata, and the distribution of meals and food packages to the poor. The Metropolitan noted that members of the sisterhoods of mercy are actively working in Alma-Ata and Kokshetau, providing assistance to people with disabilities and to lonely elderly persons.

At the conclusion of the conversation the sides exchanged good wishes.

The meeting took place in a warm atmosphere.