Greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the celebration in honor of the Cathedral

His Eminence Alexander,
Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan,
Head of the Metropolitan District
Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Participants of the celebrations
dedicated to the 20th anniversary of education
Kazakhstan Metropolitan District
and the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the celebration in honor of
Cathedral of New Martyrs and Confessors of Kazakhstan

Your Eminence!
Eminent archpastors, all-honorable fathers, dear brothers and sisters!

I cordially congratulate you all on significant dates: the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Metropolitan District and the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the celebration in honor of the Cathedral of New Martyrs and Confessors, who shone with a feat of faith and piety in the past century.

As you know, Christian preaching reached these lands in ancient times. However, only in the 19th century an independent diocese was established here. During the years of active educational activity, which the archpastors and laity conducted in the vast steppe and in the mountains of the Tien Shan, the faith of Christ was significantly strengthened and brought abundant fruits. Evidence of this was the new temples and monastic cloisters.

Over the past time, many children of the Church have shown examples of faithfulness to God even unto death (Philippians 2:8), and among them a special place is occupied by the new martyrs and confessors of the 20th century. It is no coincidence that the land of Kazakhstan is called the “antimension open to the sky”. The names of Hiero-Confessor Metropolitan Nikolay of Alma-Ata, Hieromartyr Pimen, Bishop of Vernensky, Rev. Sebastian of Karaganda and many other sufferers for Christ are forever inscribed in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church. We believe that their prayerful intercession helps everyone who carries out church obedience in the Metropolitan District, who lives and works here.

Today, the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan fulfills its saving mission with diligence and responsibility, engages in social service and charity, affirms the ideals of kindness and mercy, promotes the harmonization of interreligious and interethnic relations, contributes to the creation of peace and civil harmony, takes care of strengthening traditional family values, promotes conservation, cultural heritage.

It is gratifying to note that the President of the country and the secular authorities highly appreciate the joint fruitful work of the head of the Metropolitan District, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, archpastors, pastors and all Orthodox residents of the Republic, who invariably strive to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3).

Sharing with you the joy of the current celebrations, I express the hope that the celebration of these significant dates will contribute to the further spiritual unity of Christians, will become convincing evidence of the creative potential of Holy Orthodoxy and inspire new works for the benefit of the Mother Church.

Invoking the blessing of God on all, I would like to address you with the words of the apostolic edification: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Cor. 16:13-14).

+ KIRILL,
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL Rus'