Letter of Gratitude from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart K. Tokayev

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart K. Tokayev for his assistance in organizing the Patriarchal visit to Kazakhstan.

To His Excellency Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Your Excellency, dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich!

I sincerely thank you and your colleagues for the all-round assistance in organizing my visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan. The warm welcome extended to me was a manifestation of the traditionally respectful and cordial attitude toward guests, for which the people of Kazakhstan are renowned.

I greatly value your attention to strengthening church–state cooperation and to implementing initiatives aimed at developing good-neighborly relations and maintaining interreligious peace. The 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions held in Astana with your personal participation once again demonstrated the solidarity of representatives of the world’s leading religious communities and their aspiration toward achieving greater understanding among peoples.

I am convinced that the good cooperation of state authorities with church communities will continue to contribute to the moral growth of our contemporaries and to the prosperity of the country.

I wish you and all the people of Kazakhstan strong health, vigor of spirit, and the help of the Almighty Creator in all good endeavors.

With respect,

+KIRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUS’