Metropolitan Alexander presented church awards to employees of the Almaty diocese who celebrated personal memorable dates in the outgoing year

December 31, 2024. Almaty. In the administrative and spiritual-cultural center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), employees of the Almaty diocesan administration who celebrated anniversaries and memorable dates in the outgoing year were awarded church signs of attention.

The ceremonial act was headed by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan.

The event was attended by: Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov; Acting Rector of the Almaty Theological Seminary, Head of the Information and Publishing Department of the Metropolitan District Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov; Head of the Metropolitan's personal secretariat, Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky); Head of the administrative secretariat of the Head of the District, Priest Georgy Sidorov; Head of the Metropolitan's protocol service, Protodeacon Roman Golovin.

In recognition of their work for the benefit of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, employees of the Almaty Diocesan Administration N.I. Yemelyanov and T.Yu. Raspopova were awarded the Order of "Enbek Ushin" (For Work).

Metropolitan Alexander warmly congratulated the awardees on the upcoming New Year and Christmas and thanked them for their work.

"I would like to gratefully acknowledge your work for the benefit of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan. You work within the walls of the Almaty Diocesan Administration, responsibly fulfilling the obediences entrusted to you. Your diligence, serious attitude to your work, hard work and responsiveness have earned you well-deserved respect from the leadership and staff of the diocesan administration. I wish that the gifts of the Holy Spirit would multiply in your hearts: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness" (Gal. 5:22). I offer prayers to the new martyrs and confessors of Christ who shone on the land of Kazakhstan for your health and well-being. May the All-Merciful Lord grant you strength of soul and body and preserve you for many good years."