The Shymkent diocese hosted the Sretensky Ball, dedicated to the Day of Orthodox Youth

On February 18, 2024, with the blessing of Bishop Chrysanthus of Chimkent and Turkestan, the Candlemas Ball, an annual event dedicated to the Day of Orthodox Youth (traditionally celebrated on February 15, the day of the Presentation of the Lord), took place in the Aristocrat banquet hall in Taraz.

The event was organized by the diocesan department for youth affairs together with the Assumption Cathedral and the Intercession Church in Taraz.
The hosts of the holiday were Mikhail Anatolyevich Platov, Maya Vladimirovna Vorobyova and the manager of the ball was Anastasia Petrovna Ponomarenko.

The event was attended by Orthodox youth clubs of the Chimkent and Turkestan diocese:

• Stavros (Shymkent);
• Synergy (Taraz);
• Pokrov (Taraz);
• Mikhailovtsy (Shymkent);
• Kolosok (Aksukent village);
• Transfiguration (Shymkent);
• Orthodox youth v. Merke, Zhambyl region.

The ball was opened with a welcoming speech from the head of the diocesan department for youth affairs, Priest Sergius Antonov. Father Sergius read the Address of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', sent on the occasion of the holiday, also congratulated everyone on the Presentation of the Lord and wished God's blessing to all participants.

The program included the performance of ballroom dances “Polonaise”, “Pas De Grace”, Spanish Waltz, “Pas De Patiner”, “Chapeloise”, etc., learned by boys and girls thanks to preliminary training with choreographers from Shymkent and Taraz: O. V. Zakharets, Yu. S. Bondarenko, E. E. Azizuddina, D. S. Zodov, N. M. Lebedeva. In addition, various competitions and quizzes were held, as well as a festive buffet.

At the end of the holiday, the dean of the Zhambyl church district, the rector of the Intercession Church in Taraz, Archpriest Dimitry Stashenko and the rector of the Assumption Cathedral in Taraz, Archpriest Georgy Vlasenko thanked the organizers, participants and guests of the event, also noted the importance of holding such balls, which consolidate young believers and promote their aesthetic education.

More than 150 people took part in the gala event.