Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan was awarded the title of honorary doctor of the Russian State Social University

April 3, 2024. Moscow. The head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, visited the Russian State Social University (RSSU), where he met with the rector of the university, Professor Andrey Leonidovich Khazin.

A.L. Khazin is a world-famous historian and art critic, teacher, statesman and public figure; Professor, Head of Department, Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov; Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts; UNESCO Prize laureate.

Andrey Leonidovich informed Metropolitan Alexander of the decision of the academic council of the university to confer the title of Honorary Doctor (Honoris causa) of the Russian State Social University and presented the archpastor with a diploma.

The doctoral degree was awarded to the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District for “personal contribution to the development of spiritual, moral and cultural traditions, social education and upbringing of youth.”

Presenting the Metropolitan with the diploma of an Honorary Doctor of the RGSU, A.L. Khazin noted the archpastor’s special spiritual care for the university and the long-standing friendship that connects him with the leadership and teaching corporation of the university.

During the conversation, Metropolitan Alexander and Andrey Leonidovich recalled the good cooperation between the RGSU and the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs, which the hierarch headed for more than 10 years. According to the interlocutors, a visible symbol of interaction between the Orthodox Church and one of the leading universities in the country was the creation in 2006 on its territory of a house church in honor of the Theodore Icon of the Mother of God. The uniqueness of the Feodorovskaya Church is that it is the only university house church in Moscow, built on the initiative of students with donations from teachers, staff and students.

The archpastor thanked A.L. Khazin for supporting educational initiatives of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District.

The meeting participants noted the positive results of the partnership between RSSU and universities of Kazakhstan - Kazakh National Pedagogical University named after. Abay, Turan-Astana University, Eurasian National University. L. Gumilyov and others.

During the conversation, the prospects for interaction between the RSSU and the highest Orthodox educational institution of Kazakhstan, which has state accreditation - the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary, were discussed.

The meeting took place in a warm, friendly atmosphere and ended with an exchange of good wishes.

A group photo was taken to commemorate the event.