Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and Russian Ambassador A.N. Borodavkin discussed issues of religious life in the Republic

February 25, 2024. Astana. Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the residence of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia in the Republic of Kazakhstan, where the hierarch met with the head of the Russian diplomatic mission, Alexei Nikolaevich Borodavkin.

The meeting was attended by the dean of the parishes of the capital, Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev).

After exchanging greetings, Metropolitan Alexander told Alexey Nikolaevich about the first meeting of the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, which took place on February 17 this year, at which a plan of church and public events was approved, dedicated to the historical date - the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana and Alma-Ata diocese, and Organizing committees have been formed to prepare for the celebration in 2025 of the 50th anniversary of the blessed death of Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) and the 225th anniversary of the birth of the first archpastor of the Turkestan diocese - Archbishop Zephaniah (Sokolsky).

The head of the diplomatic mission shared with the Head of the Metropolitan District his impressions of the working meeting with the President of Kazakhstan K.-Zh.K. Tokayev, within the framework of which current issues and prospects for the development of the Kazakh-Russian strategic partnership were considered.

The Ambassador told the Metropolitan about the participation in the meeting of State Counselor E.T. Karin with the Special Representative of the President of Russia for International Cultural Cooperation M.E. Shvydkim, which discussed bilateral cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, the possibility of implementing cultural exchange projects in the field of theatrical art and the organization of exhibitions.

Metropolitan Alexander and Alexey Nikolaevich highly appreciated the results of the meeting of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.-Zh.K. Tokayev and President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin, held on February 21 in the city of Kazan. It was emphasized that the head of the Kazakh state noted the positive dynamics of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Russia.

The ambassador and the archpastor discussed issues of Russian-Kazakh interaction in the fields of politics, economics, education, science, culture and art. By mutual opinion, thanks to the policy of President K.-J.K. Tokayev Kazakhstan has now become one of the significant centers of global integration processes.

During the conversation, an exchange of views took place on a wide range of issues related to the role of religion and religious leaders in the modern world, and the state of social-religious relations in Kazakhstan.

Metropolitan Alexander told A.N. Borodavkin about preparations for the construction in Astana of a temple in honor of All Saints who shone in the land of Kazakhstan, with a spiritual and educational center for children and youth. The hierarch noted the urgent need to create a multifunctional concert and exhibition hall in Almaty, in which a variety of cultural projects could be carried out - concerts, conferences, literary evenings, film screenings, public meetings with prominent Kazakh and foreign figures, outstanding poets, writers and scientists.

At the end of the conversation, the Head of the Metropolitan District and the Russian Ambassador exchanged good wishes.