Dean of the Capital Church District attended the ordination of the newly elected head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kazakhstan

August 11, 2024, Astana. The ordination of Pastor Rostislav Novgorodov as bishop took place at the Christ the Savior Lutheran Cathedral.

By decision of the synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kazakhstan on August 9, 2024, Bishop Rostislav Novgorodov succeeded Archbishop Yuri Novgorodov as the head of the ELC RK.

The ordination was performed by Archbishop Yuri Novgorodov of the ELC RK, Archbishop Vladimir Provorov of the ELC of Russia, Bishop Sergey Goltzvert of the ELC of the Eurasian Region, and Bishop Rolf Barais of the ELC of Georgia and the South Caucasus.

By the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev), Dean of the capital parishes, was present at the service.

In his welcoming address, Father Sergiy noted that in recent years, cooperation has been developed between the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kazakhstan, aimed at preserving traditional spiritual and moral values in society and fostering interfaith dialogue. The Dean of the Astana Church District expressed hope that these positive relations would continue in the future.

The day before, a delegation from the Evangelical Lutheran Church visited the Assumption Cathedral and the administrative and spiritual-cultural center of the Kazakh Metropolitan District named after the Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius.

The delegation included Archbishop Vladimir Provorov of the ELC of Russia, Bishop Sergey Goltzvert of the ELC of the Eurasian Region, Pastor Rostislav Novgorodov, and representatives of Lutheran communities in Kazakhstan.

Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev) conducted a tour for the guests, detailing the construction and embellishment of the cathedral, the painting of the walls and vaults by a team of iconographers from the town of Palekh (Ivanovo Region, Russia), the creation of the carved gilded iconostasis and kiots crafted by the carvers of the artistic-production workshop named after Theodore Stratelates (Kostroma, Russia) in the traditions of the 17th century, and adorned with icons painted by the Honored Artist of the Russian Federation S.N. Sokolov. The Dean of the capital emphasized that the Assumption Cathedral has been visited by prominent state, religious, and public figures, including Primates and hierarchs of Orthodox Churches, leaders of traditional confessions, presidents of countries, and heads of governments.

Before the sacred relics of the cathedral, the guests lit candles.

 The representatives of the Lutheran Church then visited the spiritual and cultural center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after the Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, where they familiarized themselves with the exhibits of the museum dedicated to the New Martyrs and Confessors of Kazakhstan and left entries in the guest book.

The interaction between the Dean and the delegation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church continued in the fireplace hall of the spiritual and cultural center.

During the conversation, Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev) informed the guests about the life of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, providing statistical data regarding the number of dioceses, parishes, and clergy, and discussed the hierarchy's plans for implementing educational, cultural, youth, and social projects.

At the conclusion of the meeting, which took place in a warm atmosphere, the participants exchanged commemorative gifts and wished each other success in their good deeds and endeavors.