18 March 2026. Alma-Ata. After a prolonged illness, Lyubov Pavlovna Milovanova, who for many years devoted herself to the revival and development of church choral art in Kazakhstan and Russia, departed to the Lord.
The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, expressed condolences to the relatives and close ones of the newly departed servant of God Lyubov:
Reverend fathers, dear brothers and sisters!
Today we accompany into eternity the newly departed servant of God Lyubov. The news of the repose of this good laborer in the vineyard of Christ has resounded with deep sorrow in the hearts of all who knew, respected and loved her. In sorrowful circumstances, the words of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, sound as consolation and support: «I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die» (John 11:25-26). Those who endure the loss of loved ones must open themselves to God in prayer, and through communion with the Creator find His help and consolation. I would like to recall the words of Saint Ambrose of Optina, filled with deep spiritual wisdom: «Death is sent to every person then and only then when his soul is most prepared for the transition into eternity».
For nearly sixty years, Lyubov Pavlovna Milovanova labored in the field of church singing, contributing to the revival and development of Orthodox musical culture. In a difficult time, when the Church was under the heavy burden of administrative restrictions, Lyubov Pavlovna came to the kliros of St Nicholas Cathedral of Alma-Ata, where she openly and fearlessly began to glorify Christ. The Lord granted her to lead the choirs of two well-known churches of Kazakhstan – first St Nicholas Cathedral, and later the Ascension Cathedral. Through her labors, a professional choir appeared in the Alma-Ata diocese, which in 2010 became the foundation of the choir of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District. Through her enthusiasm, diligence and dedication to Orthodox musical art, Lyubov Pavlovna earned the recognition of many grateful listeners – clergy, parishioners and representatives of the creative intelligentsia. She also labored beyond Kazakhstan, for more than 10 years directing choirs in the Perm Metropolis.
In the final years of her earthly life, she patiently, with hope in God’s mercy, endured a difficult illness. In the days dedicated to the veneration of the Life-giving Cross of Christ, she was born into eternity. The Lord mercifully granted His laborer, before the completion of her earthly course, to partake of the Holy Life-giving Mysteries and to receive Holy Unction «for the remission of sins and for eternal life».
Let us earnestly pray to the Creator and Provider, Who for our sake and for our salvation was crucified and rose again, for the repose of the newly departed servant of God Lyubov in the heavenly dwellings – where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.
May the All-good Lord judge with His merciful judgment the life and deeds of His servant, and may our memory of the departed be filled with sincere prayer for her settlement in the heavenly abodes.
Eternal and grateful memory to the newly departed servant of God Lyubov.
«Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace», comfort your hearts and «establish you in every good word and work» (2 Thess. 2:16-17).
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