Recommended Reading: Prayers for Kazakhstan

Bishop Eduard Khegay has issued a prayer for Kazakhstan on his Facebook page (in Russian; translation available through Facebook). Kazakhstan has experienced a week of instability, including protests, riots and government crackdowns, set off by a rise in gas prices and underlying concerns about corruption and domination of the country by elites. NPR offers a brief summary of the situation, and the UMC in Germany offers background information for the bishop's remarks (in German). Much of the unrest has occurred in Almaty, the country's largest city and former capitol and Bishop Khegay's hometown. Today, Jan. 10th, has been designated as a special day of mourning for those who have died in the recent events.