Address of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan Before the Entrance Examinations at the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary

Your Very Reverend Father Rector!

Reverend Fathers, dear brothers and sisters!

I congratulate you on the leavetaking of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord! I greet the administration, faculty, students, and applicants of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary on this especially important day – the time of entrance examinations for those who desire to receive a higher theological education.

This year our theological school marks its 15th anniversary since its founding. This fact obliges all of us to reflect on the path already traveled and to determine the vector of further existence and development of theological education. Being today the only institution of higher theological education of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan, the Almaty Seminary must actively form its educational and spiritual traditions, preparing diligent laborers for the Lord’s harvest, capable of responding to the challenges of the modern age, carrying out educational work, and able to find a common language with people of different generations, convictions, and nationalities.

A great responsibility is placed both upon the teachers and the students, for in the future they are called to become the “laborers in His harvest” (Luke 10:2), the successors of apostolic ministry. Addressing the students and applicants, I wish to remind you that you have come to these grace-filled walls in obedience to the call of the Savior, responding to His voice once resounding in your hearts. Never forget the purpose of your presence at the seminary: for you have entered not only to acquire a sum of various kinds of knowledge, but in order to wholly prepare yourselves for ministry which, in the words of St. John Chrysostom, surpasses even the service of angels.

I would like to offer to your attention an ancient story:

One day a man knocked at the door of a spiritually experienced and wise elder. The elder opened the door and asked the visitor:

– Who are you and why have you come?

– From my youth I have read many books and now I have come to learn from you the mysteries of Holy Scripture, – the man replied.

The elder shut the door, saying:

– Seek another place. I am no teacher. Find someone else with whom to study the Scriptures.

– But why did you act so with him? – asked the elder’s disciples.

– He seeks to study Scripture only as entertainment for his mind, – replied the monk.

On the next day another man knocked. The elder opened the door and asked:

– Why are you here? What do you desire?

– I have come to learn from you how to serve God and men, – the man replied.

– Depart, – said the elder. – You have come to the wrong door.

The disciples were astonished:

– He did not ask to study Scripture with you. His desire is good. What can be higher or more valuable than the priesthood? He could become a good pastor. Why did you reject him?

– I see that he is moved by pride – such a man can serve no one but himself. From such service comes only misery.

On the third day yet another man knocked. The elder opened the door and asked:

– What do you need?

– I greatly lack understanding, I have no wisdom, I do not know how to live rightly, – the visitor humbly replied. – Might you help me, if only a little, to be freed from ignorance and foolishness?

The elder rejoiced, embraced him, and said:

– Enter, you who are blessed by the Lord! I have long awaited you.

This story, passed down to us from the depths of the centuries, reveals what false motives and desires can guide a man in making life choices which, at first glance, may seem proper and pleasing to God. Therefore, it is important for you, students of our seminary, to receive from your teachers, mentors, and spiritual guides the most essential thing – sincere, unfeigned love for God and neighbor, a good and compassionate disposition toward those who live beside us. For the salvation of our own souls and the elevation of our neighbors toward the Divine light, a righteous life according to the commandments of the Gospel and right confession of the faith are indispensable. Deficiencies and gaps in education always lead to inability to discern reality, to superstition, and often to distortion of the faith. In this lies, to a great degree, the source of the sin of disobedience to church authority, of discord and schism, which trouble our Church and wound the souls of many people.

On this special day I raise fervent prayers for the leaders, the teachers, the students, and especially for our applicants. I sincerely wish all of you strength of body and soul, wisdom and patience, abundant help from the Lord, and success in your forthcoming labors in the field of theological education.