Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan met with the Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church

August 20, 2024. Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, where he met with its Chairman, Archpriest Maxim Kozlov.

Archpriest Maxim Kozlov is the Rector of the General Church Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies (GCPS); member of the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Synodal Biblical and Theological Commission, and the Interdepartmental Coordination Group for the Teaching of Theology in Universities.

The meeting of the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan with the Chairman of the Educational Committee was attended by the Acting Rector of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary, Archpriest Yevgeny Ivanov.

Metropolitan Alexander told Archpriest Maxim about the activities of the theological school, the main training ground for personnel of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, which has a state license for the right to carry out educational activities in accordance with the legislation of the Republic. His Eminence informed the Chairman of the Educational Committee about the preparation of the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary for the new academic year.

The archpastor noted that the current year is marked for the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District by a historical date - the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana and Alma-Ata Diocese.

Archpriest Maxim informed Metropolitan Alexander about the current work of the Educational Committee, current measures for the development of the system of spiritual education and plans to support seminaries operating outside of Russia.

The meeting participants discussed the prospects for concluding a cooperation agreement between the General Church Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies named after Saints Cyril and Methodius and the Alma-Ata Seminary, which envisages scientific and educational-methodical support for the Kazakh theological school from the OCAD.

In memory of the meeting, the Head of the Metropolitan District presented the Chairman of the Educational Committee with his book “The Most Important Thing in Us Is the Soul”, published for the 150th anniversary of the Turkestan Diocese. In turn, Archpriest Maxim Kozlov presented Metropolitan Alexander with a book by the famous modern historian and cultural scientist Konstantin Kovalev-Sluchevsky ““God is with us!” The Life and Spiritual Deeds of Prince Alexander Suvorov”.

At the end of the conversation, the parties exchanged wishes for health and success in their work.