Valentina Matviyenko, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, visited the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Tashkent today, 3 October 2019.

At the gates of the cathedral the distinguished guest was welcomed with bread and salt by the Head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District, Metropolitan Vikenty of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, the cathedral clergy, the staff of the diocesan administration, children from the diocesan creative groups, and parishioners of the cathedral. In response to the greeting, Valentina Ivanovna at once remarked on the beauty and splendour of the cathedral built in the centre of Tashkent.

Introducing the guest to the main sights of the Spiritual and Administrative Centre, Metropolitan Vikenty spoke about the Orthodox symbol erected in Tashkent as the centre of the Central Asian Metropolitan District, dedicated to the assembly of saints who laboured in Central Asia. It is on this very spot that a monument to St. Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky) is planned to be installed in the coming months.

The archpastor then led Valentina Matviyenko into the Holy Dormition Cathedral, which is the principal church not only of the diocese but of the entire Central Asian Metropolitan District. His Eminence spoke about the history of the cathedral and the holy objects kept there.

Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko prayed before the holy icons, lit candles for the health of the living and the repose of the departed, and talked with the parishioners of the cathedral, acknowledging that the Government of Uzbekistan indeed pays serious attention to preserving and developing the Russian language and culture, and gives significant support to the Russian Orthodox Church in the country.

At the end of the meeting the two sides exchanged commemorative gifts.

The distinguished guest was accompanied by Vladimir Tyurdenev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Uzbekistan, and by representatives of the state authorities of Uzbekistan: Sadyk Safaev, First Deputy Chairman of the Senate, and Ilhom Nematov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.