His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem visits Cathedral of the Dormition in Astana
On 11 October 2018, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, currently attending the 6th Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, visited the Cathedral of the Dormition in Astana, the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
He celebrated a short prayer service and venerated the shrines.
Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan thanked His Beatitude for visiting the cathedral and said: “Your prayers at the Holy Sepulchre and other great holy sites in Palestine give great support to the millions of Orthodox Christians in many different parts of the world.” He wished the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem strength from the Lord “to bring witness of the light of Christ and preach the word of eternal life – the Holy Gospel.”His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos greeted Metropolitan Alexander, clerics and parishioners. He said that it was a pleasure to be in this beautiful and friendly country. “I feel at home here, like in Jerusalem,” he added.
His Beatitude noted that he was very glad to see changes in the Cathedral of the Dormition: the magnificent belfry was erected and new frescoes, icons and utensils have appeared since his last visit here in 2012.
Patriarch Theophilos greeted the worshippers, exclaiming “Christ is risen!’ in the Greek and Church-Slavonic languages and presented a replica of the Jerusalem icon of the Mother of God to the cathedral. He visited the museum of the new martyrs and confessors of Kazakhstan at the Ss Cyril and Methodius Religious and Cultural Centre and signed the distinguished visitors’ book.
Patriarch Theophilos and Metropolitan Alexander had a talk during which they highly appreciated the Congress which, in their opinion has gained a reputation of the unique platform for the inter-religious dialogue.
Metropolitan Alexander told His Beatitude about the life of Orthodoxy in Kazakhstan, cooperation of the Metropolitan area with public organizations and ethno-cultural associations, and the dialogue between the church and state and the inter-confessional dialogue in the country.