Letter of Gratitude from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ expressed gratitude to Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan for organizing his visit to the Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

To His Eminence,

the Most Reverend Alexander,

Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan,

Head of the Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Permanent Member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church

Your Eminence!

I express to you and your coworkers my deep gratitude for the organization of my Primatial visit to the Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

With special feeling I once again visited this land, where many new martyrs and confessors once suffered for Christ. It is heartening that church life here is now being revived and developed, the number of believers is increasing, and interreligious ties are being strengthened.

I note with satisfaction the high level of the events held. A significant event was the consecration of the church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, which is part of the spiritual and educational center under construction in honor of All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Land of Kazakhstan.

I consider the recent meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev and other representatives of state authorities to be important. Our communication once again confirmed the fact that the leadership of Kazakhstan highly values the contribution of the Orthodox Church to the strengthening of interreligious peace and civil harmony. The high level of relations has been achieved largely thanks to the diligent work of Your Eminence and the clergy entrusted to you in building constructive dialogue with representatives of other religions and the secular authorities. The services celebrated, as well as communication with the clergy and the faithful, left the warmest memories in my soul.

I am glad to testify that theological education is dynamically developing in Kazakhstan: the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary is preparing new generations of pastors who will strengthen God’s people in faith and piety.

In prayer, I wish you, the clergy, and the laity of the Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan strength and abundant help from God in your further labors in the vineyard of Christ.

With love in the Lord,

+KIRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUS’