Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill: Orthodoxy - integral part of Kazakhstan's history
ALMATY. January 18. KAZINFORM /Yelena Ilyinskaya/ Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill lays big hopes on continuation of cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Kazakh authorities. He said it at the meeting with Almaty city community yesterday.
According to him, orthodoxy is an integral part of Kazakhstan's history. Thus it has deep roots as well as big future, he says. About third of the country's population are practice orthodozy. This is the second by importance religion in Kazakhstan.
As the Holiest notes, the Russian Orthodox Church and Kazakhstan enjoy trustful relations to date. President of Kazakhstan and local authorities of the church represented by Metropolitan Mefody greatly contributed to their promotion.
"We are pleased that Kazakhstani people celebrate Christmas Holiday on January 7 which demonstrates respectful attitude towards the believers and their traditions", the Patriarch said.
"Over the last years, the contacts between Kazakhstan and the Russian Orthodox Church have experienced high intensity. "In July 2009 I had a meeting with Chairman of the Religion Committee of Kazakhstan Ardak Doszhan. In October I met with Senate Speaker Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev. These contacts promote inter-cultural dialogue", the Holiest said.