Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has congratulated Orthodox
Christians on Christmas, KazTag reports.
Nazarbayev noted that Christmas is a holiday of good hopes and
expectations. He emphasized that the unity and solidarity of
Christians helps Kazakhstan continue its dynamic development.
The president underlined that Kazakhstan successfully chaired the
OSCE, concluded by the summit in Astana. He recalled that the
Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Kirill visited Astana and blessed
the Cathedral of the Assumption, the largest cathedral in Central
Asia.
Nazarbayev wished all Kazakh families good health, peace and welfare,
happiness, love and mutual understanding.
In December 2005 Kazakhstan made Kurban ayta, celebrated according to
the Muslim calendar, and Orthodox Christmas, celebrated on January 7,
days off.
