Saint Andrew Orthodox cathedral in Oskemen, Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Oskemen, Kazakhstan.
Saint Andrew Orthodox Cathedral is a five-domed Russian Orthodox church in Oskemen, built in 2001–2007 to a design by architect Yuri Trashkov. It has a tall tented bell tower over the entrance and golden cupolas cast by Russian craftsmen. The cathedral holds about two thousand people and contains three altars: the main one dedicated to Saint Andrew the First-Called, the north to Saints Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia, and the south to Saint Panteleimon.
The cathedral was built in the early 2000s and represented an important expansion of Orthodox religious presence in eastern Kazakhstan. Its construction reflected broader religious revival efforts occurring in the region during that period.
The cathedral has three altars: the main one dedicated to Saint Andrew the First-Called, the north one to the martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia, and the south one to the healer Panteleimon. Its shrines include a reliquary with particles of the relics of Saint Sergius of Radonezh and Saint Seraphim of Sarov, and icons holding relics of Saint Andrew.
The building is primarily used for religious services, so visiting times are tied to worship schedules rather than tourist hours. It is advisable to check service times in advance and dress respectfully when entering the sanctuary.
The cathedral holds a reliquary with particles of relics of Sergius of Radonezh, Seraphim of Sarov and Nicholas of Alma-Ata, plus icons containing relics of the Apostle Andrew. A carved oak iconostasis made by woodcarvers of the Trinity Brotherhood in Shchigry, Kursk Oblast, was installed for Christmas 2020 at the initiative of Daniyal Akhmetov, then akim of East Kazakhstan Region.
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