On Forgiveness Sunday, Metropolitan Alexander attended cultural and educational events in the “Tales of the Peoples of Kazakhstan” park

March 17, 2024. Alma-Ata. On the week of the raw fasting day, before the beginning of the rite of forgiveness, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the oldest temple of the southern capital - the cathedral in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the “Malaya Stanitsa”.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan was accompanied by: Honored Artist of Russia, member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Church Singing O.N. Ovchinnikov, acting Rector of the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary, head of the information and publishing department of the Metropolitan District, Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov; Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov, Head of the Metropolitan Protocol Service, Protodeacon Roman Golovin,

On the cathedral square, the Metropolitan was warmly greeted and congratulated on Sunday by the President of the Apostle Public Foundation, Georgy Gennadievich Sosnovsky.

The head of the Metropolitan District was met by the rector of the Kazan Cathedral, Archpriest Sergiy Khmyrov, the sacristan, Priest Georgy Rublinsky, clergy and parishioners.

The archpastor bowed to the cathedral's shrines, including the revered Kazan image of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the 17th century, donated to the parish by the confessor of faith and devotee of piety of the 20th century, Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), and an exact copy, “measure and likeness,” of the Vatican copy of the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

The hierarch got acquainted with the complete completion of the painting of the temple and the process of beautifying the cathedral interiors - the installation of new floor icon cases decorated with gilded carved columns and decorative elements. Words of archpastoral gratitude were addressed to the specialists and employees of the Apostle Foundation who are carrying out repair and restoration work in the oldest cathedral of Almaty.

His Eminence addressed those present in the church with words of teaching about the significance of the upcoming Lenten season for the spiritual life of believers and gave the parishioners an archpastoral blessing.

Next, Metropolitan Alexander, accompanied by the prior father and G.G. Sosnovsky proceeded to the territory of the children's theme park "Tales of the Peoples of Kazakhstan", where, through the efforts of the Apostle Foundation, large-scale traditional folk festivities were organized that preceded the period of Lent.

From midday the park opened its gates to numerous visitors. On this day, those gathered were offered a vibrant concert program, consisting of song, dance performances and theatrical scenes. Children and teenagers of different ages took part in competitions and quizzes. Everyone took part in master classes on various types of folk crafts. As part of the festivities, an arts and crafts fair was held, the proceeds of which will go to charity.

Activists of the Orthodox volunteer movement “Seraphim” took a significant part in organizing and holding the events.

Metropolitan Alexander spoke with guests of the park and the organizers of the festival.

The participants of the celebration were offered a treat - pancakes with honey and tea from a samovar.

The children's theme park “Tales of the Peoples of Kazakhstan” is dedicated to the folklore heritage of the ethnic groups inhabiting the Republic. The initiator of the creation of the site was the president of the Apostol public foundation G.G. Sosnovsky. Work on the improvement of the square began in January 2023. A special feature of the park is the presence of sculptural fairy-tale heroes of the peoples of the “Great Steppe” and the residence of Santa Claus (St. Nicholas the Wonderworker), where master classes and educational events are held for children and their parents. On the territory of the park there is a real garden of culture and recreation; in summer it is a green oasis of coniferous and deciduous trees, flowering shrubs, a rose garden, flower beds and a fountain near a pond with goldfish.