Metropolitan Alexander received the delegation of the Syro-Malankara Church of India

April 23, 2024. Alma-Ata. In the throne room of the spiritual, cultural and administrative center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after St. Joseph (Chernov), a meeting was held between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan with the delegation of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church of India led by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Archbishop George Panamthundil.

The meeting was attended by: Bishop Jose Luis Mumbiela Sierra, Administrator of the Roman Catholic Diocese of the Most Holy Trinity in Almaty; Bishop of the Diocese of Pathanamthitta Samuel mar Irenios (Archdiocese of Trivandrum); diocesan clergy - the rector of the pilgrimage parish of St. George in the village of Chandanappalli, priest Babi Varghese and priest John Vilayail; employee of the Apostolic Nunciature of Astana, nun Daria Golubkova; parishioners of St. George's Church; vicar of the Astana diocese, Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan; Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Honored Artist of Russia, Member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Church Singing O.N. Ovchinnikov; dean of the capital's parishes Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev), head of the Metropolitan's personal secretariat Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky), head of the administrative secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District Priest Georgy Sidorov, head of the Metropolitan's protocol service Protodeacon Roman Golovin.

Metropolitan Alexander told the guests about the celebration of a historical date in 2024 - the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana and Alma-Ata diocese and preparations for the 50th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) in the Lord. The archpastor informed those gathered about the creation of a house-museum of Bishop Joseph in the southern capital. “To date, it has been possible to restore the ancient building where the blessed hierarch lived and worked; The collection of exhibits for future exhibitions is encouraging with good results,” noted the Head of the Metropolitan District.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan told members of the delegation about the charitable assistance provided to victims by diocesan social and charitable services and parish volunteers. The Metropolitan shared with the guests his impressions of his recent archpastoral visit to the Kostanay region, which is experiencing the tragic consequences of the flood.

During the conversation, the parties exchanged views on the state of inter-Christian and inter-religious dialogue in Kazakhstan, expressing mutual satisfaction with the situation and assessing the prospects for its development as positive.

Separately, the implementation of joint projects to protect traditional spiritual values and establish in society such sacred concepts as a strong family, raising children, the indissolubility of marriage and the value of human life from conception to death was discussed.

Metropolitan Alexander, as a gift to the diocese of the city of Pathanamthitta from the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, donated the icon of the Great Martyr George the Victorious with a particle of his venerable relics. Bishop Samuel Mar Irenaeus gratefully accepted the shrine, noting that the saint is deeply revered in the Catholic Church.

The administrator of the diocese of the city of Pathanamthitta presented His Eminence with a carved image of the Great Martyr George and a hand-made cross, used in the liturgical tradition of the ancient Eastern Churches.

The guests were presented with: books about the history and restoration of the Ascension Cathedral; calendars of the Metropolitan District, icons of St. George the Victorious and discs with recordings of the Metropolitan Choir under the direction of Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikova.

The meeting took place in a warm atmosphere.