Metropolitan Alexander met with the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, Vladimir Jovicic

March 25, 2024. At the residence of the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, a meeting was held between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan with the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Vladimir Jovicic.

The dean of the capital's parishes, Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev), took part in the meeting.

Metropolitan Alexander warmly congratulated Vladimir Jovicic on the start of diplomatic activity in the Republic and wished that his work as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary would serve to further develop relations between Kazakhstan and Serbia in the fields of politics, economics and culture.

At the beginning of the conversation, the ambassador shared with the Metropolitan the facts of his biography, spoke about his work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, diplomatic service in the USA, South America and Russia.

It was noted with satisfaction that the implementation of state-confessional and interreligious dialogue continues in Kazakhstan, which helps to strengthen peace, religious tolerance, mutual respect and harmony in society. According to mutual opinion, Kazakhstan is an example of peaceful coexistence of representatives of different nations and followers of different religions both in the post-Soviet space and on a more global scale.

The archpastor told the ambassador about the life of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, which this year celebrates the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana and Alma-Ata diocese. The hierarch shared plans to bring to Alma-Ata a famous shrine - the miraculous image of the Queen of Heaven "Healer" - to Alma-Ata for the celebration of the memorable date, and to the city of Astana - an ark with the relics of the blessed old lady Matrona of Moscow. The Metropolitan noted that preparations have now begun 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, the “apostle of the Great Steppe” - Archbishop Zephaniah (Sokolsky). The head of the Metropolitan District emphasized that, as part of the celebration of memorable dates, scientific, educational, cultural and youth events will be held in all dioceses of Kazakhstan.

His Eminence told the diplomat about the visit of a delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church led by Bishop Hesychius of Valjevo to Kazakhstan. The archpastor noted that during the meeting, the Serbian hierarch presented to the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District an icon with a particle of the relics of one of the most revered saints of world Orthodoxy - St. Nicholas (Velimirovich), Bishop of Ohrid and Zich.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan invited the Ambassador of Serbia to visit the Ascension Cathedral, the spiritual and cultural center of the Metropolitan District named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) and other churches of the southern capital that have significant historical and cultural significance.

Metropolitan Alexander presented Vladimir Jovicic with a calendar of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District for 2024 and books telling about Orthodoxy in Kazakhstan, published by the publishing department of the Metropolitan District.

The meeting took place in a warm atmosphere.