The head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan discussed issues of religious life in the country

April 9, 2024. Astana. In the fireplace hall of the spiritual, cultural and administrative center of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan named after Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, a meeting was held between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan and the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Galymovna Balaeva.

The meeting was attended by: the dean of the parishes of the capital, Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev) and the vice-minister Iskakov Kanat Zhumabaevich.

Aida Galymovna warmly congratulated Metropolitan Alexander on being awarded the title of Honorary Doctor (Honoris causa) of the Russian State Social University and Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev) on being awarded the Order of Friendship.

The head of the Metropolitan District told the minister about the upcoming celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana and Alma-Ata diocese on May 18-22 of this year, the central event of which will be the arrival in the city of Alma-Ata of a shrine known in the Orthodox world - the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Healer”. The archpastor invited the head of the ministry to attend spiritual and educational events dedicated to the historical date.

The Metropolitan shared with the guest information about the participation of the choir of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District under the direction of the Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov at the opening of prestigious music forums - the III International Festival “Light of Christ” in the city of Tver and the VII International Lenten Choir Festival in Moscow.

The meeting participants discussed the topic of providing humanitarian assistance to Kazakhstanis affected by large-scale floods in a number of regions of the Republic.

During the conversation, a wide range of issues of mutual interest were discussed.

Aida Galymovna emphasized that the Ministry of Culture and Information is building partnerships with the traditional faiths of the country, including the Orthodox Church. In turn, the Metropolitan noted that strengthening the state-confessional dialogue in Kazakhstan invariably contributes to the preservation of traditional spiritual and moral values, as well as ensuring unity and harmony.

The interlocutors spoke about the importance of work aimed at countering disinformation and provocative speeches that sow interfaith and ethnic hatred on social networks and the blogosphere.

At the end of the meeting, which took place in a friendly and businesslike atmosphere, the archpastor and the head of the ministry exchanged wishes for health and success in their work for the benefit of Kazakhstan.