The grand opening of the Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church was held in Astana
Today, on September 17, Astana hosted the official opening ceremony of the religious object of the Evangelical Lutheran Church-the temple of «Christ».
Minister of religious Affairs and civil society of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Yermekbayev made a speech in the solemn part of the event.
«I am sure that the opening of the new Christ Church will contribute to the multiplication of good traditions, since it is intended to bring the light of spirituality and blessings. The consecration ceremony of the new Evangelical Lutheran Church is an important and significant event not only for Lutherans, but also for all Kazakhstanis, as it is another proof of unity and mutual understanding of the people of Kazakhstan, » N. Yermekbayev said.
In his speech, the Minister congratulated all the faithful of the Lutheran community of Kazakhstan, noting that the new Church opens in the year of the 500th anniversary of the reformation - a special date for the Evangelical Lutheran Church and representatives of Protestant churches of the world.
« In fact, the reformation gave impetus to the development of Europe. Therefore, I hope that within the walls of the « Church of Christ» there will always be sermons aimed at creation and progress...the Head of state N. A. Nazarbayev noted: « Civil peace, interethnic and interfaith harmony are our main values. Peace and harmony, dialogue of cultures and religions in our multi-ethnic country are justly recognized as the world standard» .We value this and must do everything to preserve peace and harmony on the Kazakh land, » Nurlan Yermekbayev said.
The event was also attended by mayor of Astana asset Issekeshev, Deputy of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Albert Rau, ambassadors of the Vatican, Russia, the USA, Germany, Canada, Finland, Sweden, as well as pastors, deacons, members of Lutheran communities of Kazakhstan.
Representatives of other churches also came to congratulate them: Vicar of the Russian Orthodox Church's Astana diocese, Bishop Nektariy of Taldykorgan, Archbishop Dietrich Brauer of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia, and Serhiy Mashevsky of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine.
It should be noted that the « Evangelical Lutheran Church» takes an active part in social and cultural events aimed at strengthening civil peace and spiritual harmony in society. One of the most striking examples of mutual understanding is the participation in the Congress of leaders of world and traditional religions.
Reference: In 2014, the city authorities allocated a plot for new construction. The engineering center «Astana» developed the project and passed the project examination. The main architect of the project is Rimma Slobodskaya. Construction work began in may 2015. On June 28, 2015, the land for the construction of the temple was consecrated.
The complex consists of two buildings. Actually, the temple with a spacious and bright ground floor. It is planned to conduct youth and deaconical work in the premises of the ground floor.
The second three-storey building includes: on the first floor – premises for community work, Sunday school, the office of the pastor and the library. On the second floor-the administration of the Church, the archive, a training room for seminars, meetings and other events. On the third floor, there are eight double guest rooms and a small kitchen-dining room.