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Russian Orthodox bishop sides with Kazakhstani president

METROPOLITAN OF KAZAKHSTAN CALLS FOR RALLYING AROUND PRESIDENT TOKAYEV

Interfax-Religiia, 10 January 2022

 

Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan Alexander issued an appeal to the national news media on Monday, a day of mourning for the dead as a result of actions by bandit gangs.

 

"The Orthodox church of Kazakhstan completely supports the wise, timely decision by the head of state to call for aid for the republic by peacekeeping forces of the ODKB [Collective Security Treaty Organization]. We already see now the good results of the restoration in Kazakhstan of security and constitutional order, testifying to the correctness and timeliness of the position of the president in the resolution of these matters. The healthy forces of society should rally around the head of state, Kasym-Zhomart Kemelevich Tokayev, in order to overcome the crisis and secure the integrity of the country," says the metropolitan's appeal, which was also published on the website of the Russian Orthodox Church.

 

The leader of the metropolitan district notes that extremists employed the most cruel means in order "to frighten people and force them to carry out their vicious will, to suppress the principles of good neighborliness and toleration, and to destroy the sovereignty of the state."

 

In the metropolitan's opinion, the cynical evils committed during the sacred Christmas days demand decisive condemnation, total opposition, and the urgent strengthening of cooperation of the whole world community in opposition to terrorism.

 

"We—the people of Kazakhstan—are one huge multinational and multiconfessional family. We are trying in difficult circumstances to demonstrate sympathy and to show attention and support for those who have faced troubles, to aid the suffering, and to encourage those who mourn and despair," the bishop continued, offering condolences to the families of those who perished and wishing rapid recovery of those wounded.

 

In all churches of the Orthodox church of Kazakhstan today there were requiem services for the Kazakhstani victims of the terrorists. (tr. by PDS, posted 12 January 2022)

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