In Moscow, a meeting was held between the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and the Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Russia A.D. Abayev

July 23, 2024. Moscow. At the invitation of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation Dauren Askerbekovich Abayev, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the Embassy of Kazakhstan.

After exchanging greetings, Dauren Askerbekovich told Metropolitan Alexander about the activities of the embassy and shared his impressions of his meetings with the heads of regions and territories of the Russian Federation during his participation in the XXVII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Continuing the conversation, the Metropolitan told D.A. Abaev about the life of the Metropolitan District and informed the head of the diplomatic mission that in the period from September 27 to November 4 of this year, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', the relics of the holy blessed old woman Matrona of Moscow will be brought to Kazakhstan. His Eminence noted that the stay of the shrine in the dioceses of the Metropolitan District is timed to coincide with a historical date - the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana and Alma-Ata Diocese.

The hierarch shared with Dauren Askerbekovich information about preparations for the celebration in 2025 of the 50th anniversary of the blessed death of Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) and the 225th anniversary of the birth of the first archpastor of the Turkestan Diocese, the "apostle of the Great Steppe" - Archbishop Sophonia (Sokolsky). The head of the Metropolitan District emphasized that as part of the celebration of memorable dates, scientific, educational, cultural and youth events will be held in all dioceses of Kazakhstan.

A significant date, which, according to Metropolitan Alexander, will mark the coming year, it will be the 30th anniversary of the return of the Ascension Cathedral to the Orthodox Church - the historical and cultural pearl of Semirechye. The archpastor noted that the President of the Republic K.-Zh.K. Tokayev called the completion of the full-scale restoration of the Ascension Cathedral "the second birth of the all-Kazakhstani shrine."

The head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and the head of the diplomatic mission discussed various aspects of religious life in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. An exchange of views took place on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.

The head of the Metropolitan District invited Dauren Askerbekovich to visit the Moscow Representative Office of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan at the Patriarchal Metochion at the Church of the Holy Martyrs Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and Sophia on Miusy. Metropolitan Alexander told the diplomat about the activities of the Representative Office, which is visited by prominent government and public figures, including the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev.

At the end of the meeting, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, Metropolitan Alexander and D.A. Abayev exchanged good wishes and expressed confidence that the Kazakh diplomatic mission and the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan will continue their good cooperation.