Russian Foreign Minister S.V. Lavrov was awarded the highest order of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan

April 11, 2025. Alma-Ata. The award ceremony of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, who is on a working visit to the southern capital of Kazakhstan, took place in the Ascension Cathedral.

During a visit to the main temple of Alma-Ata and a conversation with Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry was presented with the highest award of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District - the Order "Beibitshilik pen Kelisim" (Peace and Harmony). S.V. Lavrov was awarded the church order for the development of relations between the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and in connection with the 75th anniversary of his birth.

The award ceremony was attended by representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation M.Yu. Galuzin; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Kazakhstan A.N. Borodavkin; Director of the Third Department of the CIS Countries A.V. Sternik; Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry M.V. Zakharova; Director of the Foreign Policy Planning Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry A.Yu. Drobinin; Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation E.A. Izotova; Head of the Department of the Third Department of the CIS of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Consul General of the Russian Federation in Almaty D.A. Turaev.

Presenting the order to Sergei Viktorovich, Metropolitan Alexander, noted: "Your bright talent as a diplomat, high professionalism, courage and endurance have earned you sincere and deep respect and recognized authority in the international arena. All these years, you have successfully built constructive interaction with foreign partners, contributed to the establishment of justice in international relations and the preservation of peace on the planet. I am sincerely grateful to you for your sensitive and attentive attitude to church life in the countries of the near and far abroad." The archpastor wished S.V. Lavrov good health, peace, prosperity, longevity and God's help in his future work.

The Russian Foreign Minister thanked the hierarch for his warm words and the high award, emphasizing the important role of the Orthodox Church in promoting interfaith dialogue, maintaining peace and stability in Kazakhstani society. "The Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan invariably guards the spiritual heritage of the people, is a reliable moral support for citizens and makes an invaluable contribution to the preservation of interethnic harmony. The Russian Foreign Ministry will continue to develop cooperation with the Metropolitan District, interact with the traditional confessions of the country in the interests of strengthening the moral foundation of international relations, ensuring peace and stability at the global and regional levels."