Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia urged the ruling bishop of the Chimkent diocese in Kazakhstan, Bishop Khrisanf, to do his utmost to strengthen interreligious accord and interethnic peace in society, noting the particular importance of these efforts for the multi-ethnic country.
During the liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on Friday, the primate ordained Archimandrite Khrisanf (Konoplev) as a bishop and ruling bishop of the Chimkent eparchy of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan.
"You are to carry out archpastoral ministry at the Chimkent pulpit in your native Kazakhstan, you have firsthand knowledge of the peculiarities of the country where Islam is the predominant religious tradition. Witnessing about Christ, try to do your best to make good interreligious relations stronger and the spirit of peace, mutual respect and good neighborliness will reign in the hearts of people," the patriarch said naming bishop Khrisanf for his archpastoral ministry.
According to him, in a multi-ethnic land such as Kazakhstan, "it is important to think about interethnic peace and civil accord."
The patriarch urged the hierarch to carry the "light of the Gospel" to the world and provide evidence of faith "not only through persuasive speeches, but also by personal example. The patriarch recalled "the great constructive power of Orthodoxy, which has repeatedly proved beneficial in people's lives."
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: official website of the Russian Orthodox Church
Based on materials from TASS