Greeting of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan to the Organizers and Participants of the Sports Tournament Dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the Uncovering of the Relics of the Hieromartyrs Seraphim and Theognostus of Alma-Ata and the 30th

Reverend Fathers, dear brothers and sisters, organizers and participants of our youth sports forum!

This year we prayerfully commemorate the 25th anniversary of the uncovering of the relics of two especially venerated ascetics of Kazakhstan—Hieromonk Seraphim (Bogoslovsky) and Hieromonk Theognostus (Pivovarov). It was in the Aksai Hermitage, which they established on the slopes of the Kyzyl-Zhar Gorge, that they suffered a martyr’s death and received from God “the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4). Thirty years have now passed since the revival of this holy monastery.

It is our sacred duty to preserve with reverence the memory of every ascetic of piety who, through his labors, contributed to the spread of the Gospel truth, and of every martyr who gave his life for Christ.

Today, sports competitions dedicated to these memorable anniversaries begin in Alma-Ata. These youth games form part of the Church’s mission of spiritual, moral, and patriotic education. The Church of Christ teaches us that strength must never become an instrument of evil or a means of self-glorification. A true athlete is not one who merely surpasses others, but one who has learned to conquer himself—his habits and emotions, his selfishness and sloth. As Sacred Scripture beautifully says in the Book of Proverbs: “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32). It is therefore deeply significant that these competitions pursue not only athletic excellence but also higher goals: fostering in the younger generation a love for their native land and its holy places, and inspiring a healthy and virtuous way of life.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ has observed:

“Sport is a means of elevating both the physical and spiritual culture of the human person. It is a means of perfecting the human personality. Without strength of will and self-restraint, no achievements in sport are possible, just as there can be no success in the spiritual life without self-denial and ascetic struggle. It is precisely here that the foundation is laid for the profound relationship between the Church, the Christian worldview, and sport.”

I express my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers of this event, the coaches, mentors, and all the participants. I offer special thanks to the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation, headed by its president, V.M. Kapsamun, for its generous support.

May Christ our Savior, through the prayers of the holy Hieromartyrs whom we honor today, grant us His abundant mercy and bless the land of Kazakhstan. I wish all the athletes every success.

+ ALEXANDER Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan