A meeting took place between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan with students of the preparatory department of the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary

December 11, 2023. Alma-Ata. At the administrative and spiritual-cultural center named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), a meeting was held between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan with students of the preparatory department of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary.

The meeting was attended by: Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov; acting rector of the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov, Vice-Rector for Educational Work Priest John Livinsky, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Priest Pyotr Bakhtiyarov, Head of the Metropolitan’s Personal Secretariat Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky), Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District Priest Georgy Sidorov, Head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Service Protodeacon Roman Golovin, head of the theological school office Priest Alexander Shishlov, members of the teaching corporation.

Speaking to the participants of the meeting, Bishop Metropolitan welcomed the seminary students studying in the preparatory and first years of the theological school. His Eminence spoke about the history of the seminary and shared his thoughts on the features of receiving spiritual education in multinational and multi-confessional Kazakhstan.

An important topic that the archpastor outlined in his conversation was preparation for pastoral service. Addressing the students, Metropolitan Alexander, in particular noted: “The student years, undoubtedly, can be called a particularly important, significant period in the life of every person, since this is the time of personality formation, the time of acquiring knowledge necessary for subsequent church service. This period imposes great responsibility on a person, especially when it comes to those who are preparing for pastoral work. Experienced teachers and mentors can give a lot, but no less important role in receiving spiritual education is given to the student himself. Your service to God and people will not begin after graduating from an educational institution - it begins here and now. Already today you are faced with the task of learning the proper attitude towards your superiors, teachers and comrades. You will have to master and diligently carry out the basic obedience that the Church has entrusted to you for the next few years - to prepare intellectually and morally for the great service - witnessing to people about the Kingdom of God has come with power (see Mark 9:1). The Apostle Paul calls us to value time (see Eph. 5:16). Cherish the time you will spend within the walls of the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary. Accept all difficulties that you encounter with humility and patience. Do not weaken in faith, grow in love and grow strong in hope. Through prayer, through reading the Holy Scriptures and patristic texts, through frequent participation in divine services, especially through regular communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, gain spiritual experience in order to create a solid foundation for subsequent work for the glory of the Church of Christ.”

At the end of the speech, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan wished those gathered God's help in all good deeds and endeavors. “May the Lord keep you all in good mental and physical health, may the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, Hiero-Confessor Nicholas, Metropolitan of Alma-Ata, new martyrs and confessors of the land of Kazakhstan strengthen you all the days of your life.”

To commemorate the meeting, Metropolitan Alexander presented the icon of the “Fathers of the Local Council of 1917-1918” to the theological school.

At the end of the conversation, the Head of the Metropolitan District gave a blessing for wearing a cassock to students of the preparatory course of the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary.

On the same day, His Eminence held a working meeting with the acting rector of the theological school, Archpriest Evgeniy Ivanov, and leadership and teaching staff of the seminary.