On August 29, 2026, the First All-Kazakhstan Congress on Church Social and Charitable Activities "Service to One's Neighbor" completed its work at the spiritual and Cultural center named after Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius in Astana.
The congress was attended by the heads and staff of the social departments of the dioceses of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, sisters of mercy from the Alma Ata and Kokshetau dioceses, clergy and believers of churches in Astana.
Before the start of the forum, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Assumption Cathedral, which celebrated the patronal celebration on that day. The service was led by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan.
Then His Eminence met with the participants of the congress, during which the hierarch made a presentation on the church, social and charitable activities of the Metropolitan Area. At the end of the plenary session, the work was carried out in sections.
The second day of the forum was devoted to practical issues of the organization of church social service and the exchange of experience between representatives of dioceses of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan area.
The participants discussed the protection of motherhood and childhood, support for pregnant women, the development of volunteer ministry, assistance to those in need, the organization of parish social work, as well as the use of modern information resources in the educational and social activities of the Church.
Special attention was paid to the experience of implementing social projects in dioceses and parishes of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan Area. Presentations were made by representatives of social departments, sisterhoods, and volunteer associations, as well as participants in the "The World Needs You" project.
Within the framework of the congress, the presentation of the project "The world needs you" took place, the experience of the crisis center "Home for Mom" and other areas of church social activities were presented.
Following the results of the congress, the participants adopted a resolution in which they identified the main directions for the further development of church social and charitable ministry in Kazakhstan.
At the end of the forum, the results of its work were summarized. The participants expressed gratitude to the organizers of the congress, the Metropolitan District Commission for Charity and Social Service and the Eleos—Meirim Public Foundation (President - V.M. Kapsamun) for the preparation and holding of the event.