June 5, 2025. Astana. At the invitation of the Ambassador of the Vatican to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the nunciature, where a meeting took place with the Apostolic Nuncio to Kazakhstan, Archbishop George Panamthundil.
Also present at the meeting were: Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev), Dean of the capital’s parishes, and Sister Daria Golubkova, a staff member of the Apostolic Nunciature in Astana.
After exchanging greetings, Metropolitan Alexander informed the Nuncio about the life of the Kazakhstan Mitropolitan District, which is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of its canonical and legal status, the work of the Orthodox Theological Seminary of Alma-Ata, and the implementation of educational and social projects. The Metropolitan shared his impressions from a recent meeting with the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic, Maulen Sagatkhanovich Ashimbayev, during which they discussed preparations for the upcoming VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, themed “Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Sake of the Future.”
The Head of the Mitropolitan District noted that, at the invitation of the President of Kazakhstan, K.–Zh.K. Tokayev, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ will participate in the Congress. The archpastor emphasized that the Orthodox faithful of Kazakhstan are eagerly awaiting the Primatial visit of His Holiness. Metropolitan Alexander also informed the Nuncio that His Holiness plans to visit the site of martyrdom and suffering of the New Martyrs of the Church of Christ – the mass burial ground of the prisoners of the Akmolinsky Camp for Wives of Traitors to the Motherland (“ALZHIR”) near Astana, the newly built capital church in honor of All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Land of Kazakhstan, and Lisya Balka in Shymkent, where the consecration of a memorial chapel will take place in memory of the countless innocent clergy and laity who were killed.
During the conversation, Archbishop George Panamthundil told Metropolitan Alexander about the IV Plenary Session of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Central Asia, which took place from April 28 to May 4 this year at the Archdiocese of the Most Holy Mary in Astana and at the National Shrine of the Queen of Peace in Ozernoye (Taiynsha District, North Kazakhstan Region). The session brought together bishops and ordinaries from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan.
One of the topics discussed was the organization in Kazakhstan of an exhibition dedicated to the unique historical and archaeological relic – the Shroud of Turin. The exhibition is being arranged 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, and is timed to coincide with the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
The participants of the meeting also addressed several matters concerning the interaction of religion, the state, and society in strengthening the institution of the family. They highlighted the positive role of traditional confessions in social processes – in affirming public morality, promoting peace and harmony in civil society, and preventing manifestations of interethnic discord.
There was also an exchange of views on the state of Christian and interfaith dialogue in Kazakhstan.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Metropolitan Alexander and Archbishop George exchanged wishes of health and success in their labors.
The meeting took place in a warm atmosphere.
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