The delegation of the Astana and Alma-Ata diocese took part in the XXXII International Christmas educational readings

With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' and in pursuance of the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, the XXXII International Christmas educational readings “Orthodoxy and Russian culture: losses and gains of the past, image of the future” were held in Moscow from January 24 to 27, 2024.

The opening of the forum in the State Kremlin Palace was led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. Greetings from the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin was announced by the Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Central Federal District I.O. Shchegolev.

The scientific meeting was attended by archpastors and priests of the Russian Orthodox Church, representatives of Orthodox Local Churches, members of the Interreligious Council of Russia, plenipotentiary representatives of the President of the Russian Federation in the federal districts, representatives of federal and regional authorities, rectors and teachers of Russian and foreign universities, directors and teachers of general education organizations, parish specialists, cultural figures.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the delegation of the Astana-Alma-Ata diocese was headed by the administrator of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen. The delegation included: the clergyman of the Nativity Cathedral of Alma-Ata, Archpriest Alexander Gaichenya; Chairman of the Society of Orthodox Doctors of Kazakhstan, Archpriest Anatoly Izmerov; Deputy Chairman of the Metropolitan District Department for Cooperation with the Cossacks, Priest Evgeniy Kozlov; Head of the Culture Department of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District L.E. Goricheva; Director of the Central Sunday School of Almaty G.V. Cherepanova.

Representatives of the diocese took part in various conferences and round tables.

As part of the readings, the winners of the 19th International Children's Art Competition “The Beauty of God's World” were awarded.

At the closing ceremony, held on January 27, the final document of the scientific forum was read out. The event ended with a concert prepared by creative groups of the Samara Metropolis.