The Head of the Metropolitan District met with the Akim of the Kostanay Region K.I. Aksakalov

April 3, 2025. Kostanay. A meeting was held in the regional akimat between the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan and Akim of the Kostanay Region Kumar Irgibaevich Aksakalov.

The meeting was attended by: Secretary of the Kostanay Diocese Hieromonk Gennady (Burduzha); from the secular authorities - the head of the Akimat Department of Religious Affairs of the Kostanay Region B.S. Bukeev.

Kumar Irgibaevich warmly welcomed the archpastor, thanking him for his visit and attention to the issues of the spiritual life of the region.

The head of the regional executive authority informed the metropolitan about the life of the region and, in particular, about his visit to KamLitKZ LLP, an enterprise that implements large industrial projects in the region. The akim noted that the construction of a second plant is currently being completed on the basis of KamLitKZ, which will manufacture high-tech products that will be in demand not only in Kazakhstan, but also abroad.

Metropolitan Alexander told the head of the region about the life of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. The hierarch emphasized that October 6 of this year will mark 15 years since the formation of the independent Kostnay and Rudny Diocese within the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan.

A significant topic of conversation was the upcoming Primate's visit to Kazakhstan of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', which the entire Orthodox flock of Kazakhstan is expecting. The head of the Metropolitan District informed the Akim that His Holiness would arrive in the Republic to participate in the VIII Congress of World and Traditional Religions in September of this year in Astana.

The interlocutors highly praised the work of the President of the country K.-Zh.K. Tokayev, on whose initiative the development of this large-scale international forum, which is held on a permanent basis in the capital of the country, continues.

The archpastor told K.I. Aksakalov about the progress of restoration work at the historical diocesan shrine - the 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 warmly thanked the head of the region for allocating a plot of land for the construction of a church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Sporitelnitsa Bread".

During the conversation, it was emphasized that in the Republic, despite the challenges of modern times, the fundamental principles of harmonious interethnic relations are preserved - culture is developing, efforts are being made to strengthen moral values, preserve the traditions and customs of peoples and ethnic groups living as one big family in a common Home - Kazakhstan.

In the context of discussing state policy in the sphere of dialogue with representatives of traditional religions, the importance of peacekeeping activities of the two leading confessions of the country - Islam of the Hanafi madhhab and Orthodox Christianity was discussed.

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