The opening of the photo exhibition “Witness to History”, dedicated to the anniversary of the oldest temple in Astana, took place

June 2, 2024. Astana. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the opening of the exhibition of photographs “Witness to History” took place on the cathedral square in front of the Church of Constantine and Helena.

The exhibition is dedicated to a historically and spiritually significant date for Kazakhstan - the 170th anniversary of the founding of the cathedral in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Kings Constantine and Helena in the capital of the Republic.

The event was organized by the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary and the parish of the Cathedral of Constantine and Helena (curators - the keymaster of the cathedral, Archpriest Sergiy Kaliev and the vice-rector for educational work of the Alma-Ata Seminary, Priest John Livinsky).

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan took part in the opening of the exhibition.

Present at the presentation were: the dean of the parishes of the capital, Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev), the custodian of the Constantine-Elenin Cathedral, Archpriest Sergius Kaliev, the confessor of the Astana convent in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost,” Hieromonk Modest (Drozdov), the custodian of the Assumption Cathedral in Astana, Archpriest Dimitry Baidek. , clergy of the Astana church district, abbess of the monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost” in the city of Astana, nun Sevastiana (Plotnikova) with the nuns of the monastery; employees of the diocesan administration; parishioners of the cathedral and capital churches; teachers and students of the parish Sunday school.

Participants in the opening of the exhibition were: Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan O.V. Perepechina, Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan E. Nukezhanov, Deputy Akim of the city of Astana E.B. Baiken.

Metropolitan Alexander addressed those gathered with a word of greeting.

“For residents of the capital of Kazakhstan - Astana - today we remember a historically and spiritually significant date - the oldest temple in the Kazakhstan capital, the Cathedral in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Kings Constantine and Helen, celebrates the 170th anniversary of its foundation. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the Church of Constantine and Helena became the center of the spiritual life of the vast steppe region, and in times of godless persecution - a refuge and place of consolation for numerous sufferers for the faith, exiled to Kazakhstan from all regions of the country. By God's providence he returned to the believers. The Pochaev-Tselinograd Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary resides here. Through prayers before this image of the Queen of Heaven, miracles have been and continue to be performed - those who suffer receive healing, those who mourn receive consolation, those in troubles and straitened circumstances receive deliverance. Today, the Cathedral of Constantine and Helena is a significant spiritual and cultural center of Astana. His story is dear and instructive for the Christian soul. He was and to this day remains a source of blessed light for the capital of Kazakhstan and our entire country.”

On this day, during the Liturgy, all the clergy who served within the walls of the ancient temple were remembered.

After the welcoming speech from the Head of the Metropolitan District, Archpriest Sergius Kaliev told the audience about the concept of the exhibition and gave a tour.

The photographs and banners presented at the exhibition tell the story of the history and modern life of the Church of Constantine and Helena. The photographs tell about the service of Kazakh saints and clergy in the church, the work of builders and decorators, and everyone who served and prayed within the walls of the temple. The stands contain information about the Pochaev-Tselinograd Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The exhibition will continue until June 20.