Address by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan to the readers of the book 'Kazan Cathedral of Almaty'

'Blessed is the man who always lives near the house of God! He lives close to Heaven, close to Paradise, close to salvation,' says Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov). Orthodox people at all times could not imagine their lives without a church. Both magnificent capital cathedrals and small village churches have always been 'Heaven on Earth' for the faithful heart, representing an image of eternal spiritual beauty, reminding of eternity and providing comfort to the human soul.

Today, the southern capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty, is adorned with nearly three dozen temples, both ancient and newly built. Each has its own history, each is magnificent in its own way, architecturally interesting, and, of course, significant for the spiritual life of the metropolis. Among the churches of Almaty, a special place is occupied by the church dedicated to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God - Kazan Cathedral, located in the historical part of the city, known as Malaya Stanitsa. This elegant church, shining with many domes and pleasing the eye with the mastery of its builders, is the very first temple of the city of Verny, one of the oldest buildings in Almaty. The Kazan Cathedral, erected by the zeal of the pious residents of Semirechye, along with the Church and the people, has experienced times of prosperity and severe trials. It has been a silent witness to the lives of many generations of people, under its vaults the faithful people have brought their sorrows and joys to the altar of God. The church in honor of the Kazan image of the Heavenly Queen remembers the apostle of the Great Steppe, the first hierarch of the Turkestan diocese - the ever-memorable Archbishop Sofrony (Sokolsky), who preached his fiery sermons under its vaults. Here served such luminaries of Orthodoxy as Bishop Alexander (Kulchitsky) - a prominent church enlightener of the 19th century, Bishop Neophytus (Nevodchikov) - a well-known spiritual writer, Bishop Arkady (Karpinsky) - an active church builder and philanthropist, Bishop Dmitry (in schema Anthony (Abashidze)) - a prominent church figure and confessor of the faith, Bishop Pimen (Belolikov) - a bold denouncer of godlessness and the first martyr of the land of Kazakhstan.

Shortly after the October Revolution of 1917, the godless regime spread its power in Semirechye. There began the persecution of believers, mass desecration and destruction of monasteries, churches, and chapels. Kazakhstan was destined to occupy a special place in the recent history of the Orthodox Church. This ancient land in the hour of fiery trial (1 Peter 4:12) became a place of exploits, confessions, courageous sufferings, and martyrdom of such a large number of believers of different ranks and ages that it is now rightly called 'an antimins spread under the open sky.' These exalted words first named Kazakhstan by the ever-memorable Holy Patriarch Alexy II.

The cup of suffering did not pass the pastors serving in the Kazan Cathedral. The first of the parish priests who gave up their soul for Christ and the Gospel (Mark 8:25) was Father Parfeny Krasivsky. In 1919, this humble servant of the Lord's altar and zealous preacher of God's truth was killed with inhuman cruelty by a mob of militant atheists at the threshold of the church where he served. From his youth, Father Parfeny dedicated himself to the service of the Holy Church. He was ordained by the ever-memorable Archbishop Sofrony (Sokolsky). The modest life of the priest, devoted to God and people, ended in martyrdom. With the words of testimony about Christ, crucified and risen, the pastor entrusted his immortal soul to God and ascended from the porch of the Kazan church to Heaven. Father Parfeny heeded the Lord's call: 'Do not be afraid of anything you will have to endure. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life' (Revelation 2:10). Father Parfeny's brother - priest Vasily (Krasivsky) - also suffered for Christ. Both were glorified in the assembly of new martyrs of the Russian Church at the jubilee Council of Bishops in 2000.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the clergy and faithful of Kazan Cathedral not only faced persecutions and oppressions for their faith but also endured a significant challenge during that era—the Renovationist schism, deceitfully initiated and supported by the enemies of holy Orthodoxy. During those years, Renovationists, with the support of godless forces, managed to seize numerous churches. Miraculously, Kazan Cathedral was saved from closure and from falling into the hands of Renovationist actors, false teachers who come in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15). Cleric of the cathedral, Priest Yevfimiy Krugovykh, fell victim to the fight against Renovationism.

The cathedral then became a refuge for priests ousted by Renovationists from their parishes, and it provided shelter and sustenance for archpriests, priests, and laypeople exiled to Kazakhstan. Priests and parishioners showed those persecuted, disenfranchised, and tormented individuals "the work of faith and labor of love" (1 Thessalonians 1:3). For these good deeds, the rector of the cathedral, Archpriest Dmitriy Polivkin, was repressed and martyred. Along with Priest Parfeniy, the glorified clergy of Christ, Yevfimiy and Dmitriy, became intercessors for their native church and heavenly patrons of Kazakhstan.

Kazan Cathedral did not escape the tragic fate of most churches. In 1938, it was closed and looted. A well-known church tradition states that every Orthodox church has its guardian angel, who participates in lifting the prayers of the faithful to the Throne of God, records the names of all who enter the House of God with reverence. This angel does not leave the church, even if it is destroyed or desecrated; he bears witness before the Almighty about the committed crime. No matter how maliciously a church of God is debased, no matter what schemes are used to consign its great purpose to oblivion—a sanctuary remains a sanctuary until the end of time.

By the grace of God, the "abomination of desolation" (Daniel 11:31) did not linger long in this holy place. In 1944, the cathedral was returned to the faithful. Archbishop Kirill (Pospelov), a humble servant of Christ, who had spent 10 years in exile and camps for his fidelity to the Gospel, consecrated the restored church. For some time, until the transfer of the eparchy to Nikol'sky Cathedral in 1946, the Kazan church effectively served as the cathedral church—the main church of all Kazakhstan.

In the post-war years, divine services were performed here by the luminary of Orthodoxy—confessor of the truth of God, Metropolitan Nikolay (Mogilevsky), and after him, another great elder-saint, whose name is revered by a vast number of believers—Metropolitan Iosif (Chernov). Among the relics of the church, the Kazan image of the Queen of Heaven, donated by Metropolitan Iosif, occupies a special place.

Several copies of the revealed Kazan Icon of the Mother of God adorn the oldest church of Almaty. In addition to the gift from Metropolitan Iosif, it houses a small 19th-century icon, miraculously returned to the church after being stolen, thanks to the care of the Sovereign Lady Herself, who frightened the perpetrator with Her appearance. Special joy is felt by parishioners and pilgrims who have the opportunity to pray before the exact replica, "the measure and likeness" of the Vatican copy of the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. This icon was consecrated at the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God at the site of the shrine's appearance in the city of Kazan.

Kazan Cathedral has undergone three rebirths in its history: the first when it was created by the pious people of Semirechye in the 19th century, the second after being returned to the faithful in the mid-20th century, and the third quite recently, during a comprehensive restoration involving skilled researchers and top-class experts. Thanks to the care of the founders, with the support of benefactors and concerned individuals, the sanctuary, which had survived earthquakes and the era of persecutions and had become dilapidated over its long existence, was restored and given new life. A significant event was the opening of an underground church in the lower part of the cathedral in honor of the new martyrs and confessors of Kazakhstan, with chapels commemorating the ancient Orthodox monasteries.

Today, Kazan Cathedral becomes a significant spiritual and cultural center of Almaty, a focal point for pilgrims and tourists. People of different faiths and nationalities come to visit the oldest church of the Southern capital, to see its unique icons and revered relics.

It is important toremember that an Orthodox church is not just a beautiful architectural structure but, according to Scripture, it is the house of God and the gateway to Heaven (Genesis 28:17), a ladder leading to Heaven (Genesis 28:12), and the high and exalted throne of the Lord (Isaiah 6:1). These radiant temples of grace are schools of spiritual life. Here, enlightened by the imperishable words of the Gospel, listening to the texts of prayers and patristic teachings, people are educated in faith, strengthened in hope, and perfected in love. The most important event under the church vaults is the celebration of the "Mystery of mysteries," the Divine Liturgy, during which the Bloodless Sacrifice is offered for the life of the world and believers partake of the holy, pure, and life-giving Mysteries "for the remission of sins and for eternal life, for the healing of soul and body." The grandeur and beauty of the ancient Kazan Church remind us that man is called to become the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16).

I hope that the book about the Kazan Cathedral, which contains stories about the past and present of the church, about the church figures associated with it, and about its relics, will be useful and interesting to everyone who is interested in issues of history, culture, and spiritual life in Kazakhstan. I invoke God’s blessing on the readers of the book and the mercy of the Most Holy Mother of God.