On January 11, 2025, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the construction site of the spiritual, cultural and educational center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District with a temple in honor of All Kazakhstani Saints in Astana.
The project, which is expected to be implemented by many believers, has received the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
This project, the realization of which is expected by numerous believers, received the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. During the meeting of Metropolitan Alexander with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.-J.K. Tokayev, the head of state got acquainted with the project and supported the idea of creating in Astana an Orthodox educational center and a temple at it. On the instruction of the President of Kazakhstan, the city authorities allocated a plot of land and assigned it to the Metropolitan District. At present, the construction project of the center has been completed and passed the necessary approvals; permission to erect has been obtained; the territory has been cleared, fenced and made ready for work to begin.
Metropolitan Alexander performed a prayer service for the beginning of the construction of the temple and spiritual-educational center and the laying of the chapel in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh, which will be located in the territory of the architectural complex under construction.
The divine service was prayed by Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev), rector of the temple of the icon of the Mother of God «Joy of All Who Sorrow» Almaty Archpriest Evgeny Vorobyev, the clergyman of the Cathedral of Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen of Astana Archpriest Sergius Kaliev, head of the personal secretariat of Metropolitan Alexander Hieromonk Prokhor (Yendovitsky), the clergyman of the Kazan Cathedral of Almaty. Archpriest Sergiy Kaliev, head of the personal secretariat of Metropolitan Alexander, hieromonk Prokhor (Yendovitsky), clachar of the Kazan Cathedral of Almaty, Priest George Rublinsky, head of the protocol service of Metropolitan Alexander Protodeacon Roman Golovin, chairman of the supervisory board of LLP SK «Astanatransstroy» V. I. Pomortsev, director of LLP SK «Astanatransstroy» V. I. Pomortsev, director of LLP SK «Astanatransstroy».I. Pomortsev, director of LLP SK «Astanatransstroy» S.E. Baskakov, clergy of Astana, staff of Astana Diocesan Office, architects and engineers.
Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District addressed to those present with an archpastoral word:
«In the bright days of the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, called Holy Days, when people together with the angels glorify the coming into the world of the Divine Child Savior, you and I become participants of a spiritually significant, historical event. In Astana, the capital of blessed Kazakhstan, the construction of a temple complex in honor of All Saints who have shone in the land of Kazakhstan, and an educational center begins Metropolitan District. This center is important for our entire country — it will initiate and coordinate and supervise a variety of educational, scientific, youth and educational programs in the regions of the Republic. In our plans to organize a scientific and museum complex, including expositions devoted to ancient and modern church art, history of the ancient Church, history of Orthodoxy in Central Asia and feats of new martyrs and confessors of the twentieth century.
The construction of temples is a visible embodiment of the most important achievements of sovereign Kazakhstan; interethnic peace, interethnic harmony, deep respect for the centuries-old history and rich culture of the Great Steppe. Let the new temple complex become a monument to the courage of clergy and laymen of the twentieth century, who boldly confessed Christ in the face of militant faithlessness. Each new church construction site is the ardent desire of the Orthodox people of Kazakhstan, the initiatives of parish priests and the support of concerned people whose hearts have been touched by Christ. Let us remember the wise words of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: "Whoever builds and restores churches enters into history. Not only human history. The names of these people are especially recorded in the Book of Life." We build churches not just to beautify the area or to build a majestic architectural monument in honor of an anniversary. We build churches and cathedrals to change our lives for the better, to change consciousness, to change the heart of man. Difficulties and obstacles are inevitable on the path of Christian exploits, but believers should not be discouraged or lose heart, on the contrary, we should often remember the bold, encouraging words of the Apostle Paul: "I can do all things in Jesus Christ who strengthens me" (Phlp. 4:13).
After reading the statutory prayers, the bishop sprinkled the construction site with consecrated water.
After the prayer service, the hierarch held a working meeting on the creation of the temple and educational center with the dean of the Astana district and specialists responsible for the construction of the complex.
After the prayer service, the hierarch held a working meeting on the creation of the temple and educational center with the dean of the Astana district and specialists responsible for the construction of the complex.
At the end of the meeting Vladyka Alexander thanked those present for their labors and wished everyone God's help in the high and responsible upcoming works.
The temple and educational center will be built on the funds of benefactors and voluntary donations of believers.
Metropolitan District in the Republic of Kazakhstan/Patriarchy.ru
