Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan congratulating on Gratitude Day

March 1 is the Day of Gratitude in Kazakhstan. Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan Alexander has addressed with congratulations to Kazakhstanis.

Dear Kazakhstanis! Dear brothers and sisters!

Please accept our congratulations on the holiday of our country - Gratitude Day.

This celebration has great importance for all living on the blessed land of Kazakhstan - it awakens good feelings in the souls of fellow citizens who unite representatives of different ethnic groups and religious traditions. The unity of our people is a precious treasure of the Great Steppe, which was bequeathed to us by our ancestors and such wonderful holidays of freedom revealed by the meaning of its preservation.

Celebrating the Day of Gratitude, we express respect and gratitude to the indigenous population of the country, and above all to the Kazakh people, who received a huge number of repressed migrants as relatives during the terrible events of the last century. Among the cases exiled in Kazakhstan in the expected year, there were many representatives of the Orthodox Church - hierarchs, priests, monastics and laity. Providing assistance to the exiled clergy and believers, residents of Kazakhstan contributed to the preservation of the Orthodox faith and prepared a spiritual revival throughout the post-Soviet space.

May the celebration of Gratitude Day, which has become an organic part of the spiritual and cultural life of Kazakhstani society, promotes peace and harmony, preserve unity of our people and consolidates society in new noble plans that today faces a common home - Kazakhstan.

with best wishes,

HEAD OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF KAZAKHSTAN

METROPOLITAN OF ASTANAI AND KAZAKHSTAN