The Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus P.V. Utyupin, who is completing his diplomatic service in the Republic of Kazakhstan

January 29, 2025. Alma-Ata. In the administrative and spiritual cultural center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), a meeting was held between the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Kazakhstan P.V. Utyupin.

Pavel Vladimirovich is completing his diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan and returning to Belarus.

The meeting was attended by the Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Kazakhstan D.V. Zorin.

After exchanging greetings, the diplomat expressed condolences over the tragic death of Archbishop Serapion (Kolosnitsyn) of Kokshetau and Akmola, noting the contribution of the late archpastor to the development of spiritual life in the Kazakh land.

The hierarch thanked the ambassador, who is completing his work in the Republic, for his good contribution to the development of dialogue between the diplomatic mission of Belarus and the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and wished him success in his future work.

Metropolitan Alexander shared with P.V. Utyupin his impressions of the Christmas holidays in the Metropolitan District, noting that people have continued great interest in traditional Epiphany bathing, especially in the country's capital Astana, where thousands of residents came to immerse themselves in the Jordan.

P.V. Utyupin told the archpastor about his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Minister of Foreign Affairs M.A. Nurtleu, during which the parties discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation between Belarus and Kazakhstan.

His Eminence the Metropolitan congratulated the guest on the presentation of state signs of attention and gratitude "for fruitful and active work, great contribution to strengthening friendship and strategic partnership between the countries" - the Certificate of Gratitude of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.-Zh.K. Tokayev and the "Altyn Barys" badge.

The interlocutors noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics of the development of Belarusian-Kazakh relations in recent years. Metropolitan Alexander emphasized the significant personal contribution of the Ambassador to strengthening bilateral political, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties.

In memory of the meeting and as a blessing for further work, the Head of the Metropolitan District presented P.V. Utyupin with an icon of the blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky, noting that this saint is the heavenly patron of diplomatic service. The hierarch emphasized that the President of Kazakhstan K.-Zh.K. Tokayev called the faithful Prince Alexander "the Great Diplomat".

At the end of the conversation, which took place in a good atmosphere, the parties exchanged wishes for success in good deeds and endeavors.