THE FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH İN KAZAKHSTAN: THE CASE OF ALMATY CİTY

Аннотация

This article explores the history of Christianity’s formation and development in Kazakhstan, with a particular focus on the establishment, growth, and current status of Catholic churches in Almaty. The main objective of the study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the origins of Catholic churches in Kazakhstan, their development patterns, and their present condition. The research employs a theoretical-methodological approach combined with adescriptive analysis of religious history. These methods enable an in-depth examination of the collected data and athorough investigation of the formation process of Catholic churches in Kazakhstan.

Historical sources suggest that Christianity first spread in Kazakhstan through Nestorian missionaries, who engaged in religious outreach among the local population. The introduction and expansion of Christianity inKazakhstan occurred in three key stages. This article discusses the arrival of the first Christians – Nestorians – and their missionary activities. It also examines the Russian Empire’s political efforts to convert the Kazakhs to Christianity, highlighting the limited success of these initiatives.

Following Kazakhstan’s independence, newly adopted laws facilitated the expansion of missionary activitiesand the rise of Protestant movements. The study illustrates how the transition of Kazakh society from atheistic ideology and a lack of religious education created opportunities for missionaries to establish various churches andreligious communities. According to legal provisions, religious freedom was ensured, allowing different religious organizations to operate. Almaty, as Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis, became the main center for Protestant churches. This study provides valuable insights into Kazakhstan’s religious landscape, the history of Catholic churches, and their role in society.