Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan A.G. Balayeva met with guests of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana diocese

September 28, 2024. Astana. Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Galymovna Balayeva visited the spiritual, cultural and administrative center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after the Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius.

In the fireplace room, the head of the ministry in charge of the religious sphere had a conversation with the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, and guests of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana diocese - Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus and Metropolitan Evgeny of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye, member of the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechesis.

A.G. Balaeva was accompanied by Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Information Kanat Zhumabaevich Iskakov.

The meeting was attended by: Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Honored Artist of Russia, member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Russian Church Singing O.N. Ovchinnikov; Dean of the capital's parishes Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev); Acting Rector of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary, Head of the Information Department of the Metropolitan District Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov; 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 Apostol Public Foundation G.G. Sosnovsky.

Aida Galymovna warmly congratulated Metropolitan Alexander, the visiting hierarchs and participants of the meeting on the 25th anniversary of the Astana Diocese and the arrival of the relics of Blessed Matrona of Moscow in the capital. The Minister noted that Saint Matrona is well known and loved in Kazakhstan not only by Orthodox Christians, but also by representatives of other traditional faiths. By all accounts, such events as bringing famous shrines into the country encourage Kazakhstanis to think about enduring spiritual and moral values and testify to the special atmosphere of interethnic peace and interreligious harmony, which is a unique feature of the Republic.

A.G. Balayeva said words of greeting to Metropolitan Alexander, who celebrated the 35th anniversary of his archpastoral ordination:
- For many years now, the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, which you lead, has been a reliable partner of the state in strengthening interfaith harmony and promoting interreligious dialogue. Your work is of great importance to millions of Orthodox believers in the Republic of Kazakhstan. With your active participation, new churches have been built in Kazakhstan and historical shrines have been revived.
The Church shows constant concern for those in need, makes a significant contribution to strengthening spirituality, peace and harmony in society, educating young people on a solid foundation of traditional moral values and harmonizing interreligious relations.
Please accept my warmest wishes for health, happiness, strength, and cheerfulness in all your efforts for the benefit of the Russian Orthodox Church and all our people!
May your good deeds give everyone pure faith and good hope, awakening mercy, compassion, and the desire to care for one's neighbor and do good deeds in people. And spiritual wisdom and rich life experience continue to serve to strengthen the unity of our society.
I express my deep gratitude to the Orthodox community of Kazakhstan for their significant contribution to the development and prosperity of our Motherland!

The Minister presented the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan with a gift - a painting with a landscape of Southern Kazakhstan.

During the conversation with the guests, Aida Galymovna emphasized that the Ministry of Culture and Information is building partnerships with religious associations in the country, including the Orthodox Church. The meeting participants discussed a wide range of issues, including the role of the media in maintaining stability and ensuring security in society and the importance of work aimed at countering disinformation and provocative speeches on social networks that sow interfaith and interethnic discord. At the end of the meeting, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, the archpastors and the head of the ministry exchanged wishes for health and success in their work.