His Holiness Patriarch Kirill takes part in the closing ceremony of VIII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions

On 18th September 2025, the VIII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions continued its work.

An official opening of the Park of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana marked the beginning of its second day. After that, various sections meetings took place, focusing on such topics as the role of religions in consolidating people and facilitating sustainable world development, digitization and artificial intelligence, peace-building and ways to oppose extremism. Also held that day were the II Forum of Young Religious Leaders entitled “Youth for Peaceful Coexistence: Synergy for the Future” and an expert round table that provided academic perspective on interfaith dialogue.

Among the participants in those meetings were the clergy and other representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan, members of the official delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate, leaders and delegates of other religious communities and organisations, scholars, journalists, and students of theological and secular higher educational institutions.

In the second half of the day, the official closing ceremony of the VIII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions took place at the Palace of Independence in Astana.

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev led the ceremony. Among its participants were His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and the following members of the Moscow Patriarchate’s delegation: Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, head of the Metropolitan Area of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan; Metropolitan Pavel of Krutitsy and Kolomna, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Administration for Dioceses in Near Abroad Countries; Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus; Archimandrite Philaret (Bulekov), deputy chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations; Mr Vladimir Legoyda, chairman of the Synodal Department for Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media; and Priest Iliya Kashitsyn, DECR secretary for interfaith relations.

Speaking at the ceremony, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill expressed his satisfaction at the results of the Congress’s work. His Holiness thanked President Tokayev and all the organisers of the forum, saying:

“Dear participants in the Congress,

“I would like to express satisfaction at the very fact that this important event has taken place, as well as at the results it has achieved. Also gratifying is the wonderful atmosphere created through the efforts of the authorities of Kazakhstan and the activists who helped organise the Congress’s work. Indeed, we now have a global interfaith platform and a group of people interested in working together for the sake of peace and prosperity. I think that together with other major platforms we can take an active part in making or preparing decisions, as well as in exploring the problems that nowadays face the whole humankind.

“It is important that the religious leaders belonging to different faiths and denominations have worked together hand in hand as one family today, which is a sign of how similar our positions are despite the theological differences which have always existed and are unlikely to disappear completely from our discourse in the near future. However, the common goals we have because of the challenges threatening the existence of the entire humanity give impetus to our further joint work.

“I would like to wholeheartedly thank – on my own behalf and, I hope, on behalf of all of you –President Tokayev, who devoted his personal time and effort to make sure that this event was organised so remarkably. I would also like to thank the religious leaders of Kazakhstan who took part in this work and provided hospitality to us all.

“May God’s blessing be with all of us, strengthening us as we work together towards global peace and justice. I wish you all the best! Thank you for your attention.”

During the closing ceremony, the final declaration of the VIII Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was adopted.

Patriarchal Press Service