Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan Alexander gives press conference on Christmas eve
15:58, 5 January 2011
ATY. January 5. KAZINFORM /Yelena Ilyinskaya/ Kazakhstan is a multiethnic Eurasian country that harmoniously combines spiritual traditions of the Christian and Muslim worlds. Thus the main religious holidays are marked here the nationwide. Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan Alexander said it at a press conference in Almaty on the eve of Orthodox Christmas.
Metropolitan Alexander said that on the 7th of January all 300 Orthodox churches of Kazakhstan will conduct divine services. At the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty he will lead the divine service himself.
"Christmas is a holiday to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. By tradition introduced in 2005 in our country this day, along with the great Muslim holiday of Kurban-Ait, is a day off", Metropolitan Alexander said.