The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan met with the Akim of the Kostanay region K.I. Aksakalov

October 14, 2024. Kostanay. The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan Alexander, met with the Akim of the Kostanay region Kumar Irgibaevich Aksakalov in the regional akimat.

The meeting was attended by: Secretary of the Kostanay diocese Hieromonk Gennady (Burduzha); the secular side was represented by: Deputy Akim of the Kostanay region R.Z. Mukhametkaliev, head of the regional department for religious affairs E.B. Kalmakov.

Kumar Irgibaevich warmly welcomed the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, thanking him for his visit and attention to the issues of the spiritual life of the region. The head of the region expressed gratitude to the archpastor for bringing a significant shrine of Orthodoxy - a reliquary with part of the relics of the blessed nun Matrona of Moscow. According to the akim, this event will serve to consolidate society around traditional spiritual and moral values.

Metropolitan Alexander told K.I. Aksakalov about the life of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, emphasizing that the pilgrimage of the relics of blessed Matrona to Kostanay is an important part of the celebration in the dioceses of the Metropolitan District of a significant date, the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana and Alma-Ata Diocese.

The Metropolitan informed the head of the region about the revival of a historical shrine in the diocese - a monastery in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God and the Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul in the village of Oktyabrskoye in the Kostanay region and the elevation to the dignity of the abbess of the monastery, nun Nika (Otroshchenko).

The Akim of the region informed the Bishop about the socio-economic situation in the region, the development of the agro-industrial complex and the implementation of various cultural and charitable projects.

One of the topics of discussion between the meeting participants was the results of the republican referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant. The parties gave a highly positive assessment to the words of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, who noted that the implementation of this project "will ensure sustainable progress of our country for decades to come, strengthen our energy sovereignty, give a powerful impetus to the development of various spheres of the economy, science and education, will contribute to the formation of a wide class of engineers and specialists of various profiles."

During the conversation, it was emphasized that in Kazakhstan, despite the challenges of modern times, thanks to the policy of the head of state, the fundamental principles of harmonious interethnic relations are preserved - the right to develop culture, preserve the native language, traditions and customs of all ethnic groups living as one big family. In the context of discussing state policy in the field of dialogue with representatives of traditional religions, the importance of peacekeeping activities of the two leading confessions of the country were discussed - Islam of the Hanafi madhhab and Orthodox Christianity.

The parties discussed issues of interaction in the region of secular authorities with the Kostanay diocese of the Metropolitan District. The Akim emphasized that the city and regional leadership would support the initiatives of the diocese aimed at strengthening traditional moral values and preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the people.

During the meeting, an exchange of views took place on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.

The hierarch and the head of the region considered the issue of constructing a temple in honor of the image of the Queen of Heaven "Giver of Bread", especially revered by grain growers, in response to requests from the faithful in the regional center of the Kazakh granary.

At the end of the meeting, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, Metropolitan Alexander and Kumar Irgibaevich exchanged good wishes.