Address by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan on the Occasion of the Official Unveiling of the Military Memorial in Taraz

Dear brothers and sisters! Esteemed representatives of the state authorities, diplomatic corps, public organizations, members of the armed forces, veterans, and dear residents of Taraz!

Today, we have gathered at this restored military memorial to honour the sacrifice of the Soviet soldiers who died of their wounds in the evacuation hospitals of Dzhambul during the Great Patriotic War.

Here, in this land, lie soldiers who gave their health, strength, and lives for their Fatherland. Many of them were brought here with severe wounds sustained in battle. Doctors, nurses, and ordinary residents of Dzhambul did everything in their power to save their lives. Yet not all were destined to return to duty. Many remained here, far from their native homes, but they have forever entered the history of our common Fatherland.

Holy Scripture tells us: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). These words resonate with particular force today as we remember the soldiers who, during those years of terrible trial, defended their homeland, their loved ones, and future generations.

The heroic sacrifice of the Soviet soldier must never be forgotten. It was a feat of courage, selflessness, and devotion to duty. Victory over Nazi Germany was achieved through the heroism of the soldiers, the steadfastness of those who laboured on the home front, the self-sacrifice of medical personnel, and the unity of peoples.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Almaty and personally to Dmitry Alexandrovich Turaev for their support in restoring this military memorial. I also extend my appreciation to the leadership of the Zhambyl Region, public organizations, specialists, benefactors, and all those who contributed to this important undertaking.

The restoration of this memorial is more than the improvement of a burial site. It is a testament to our respect for the soldiers who fell or died of their wounds, an expression of our responsibility towards history, and a commitment to preserving the spiritual heritage of future generations. To preserve memory is to preserve the moral bond between generations.

It is particularly important that representatives of Russia and Kazakhstan stand together here today. This bears witness to the fact that our shared history, shared suffering, and shared Victory continue to unite our peoples. The memory of the heroic sacrifice of Soviet soldiers serves as a spiritual bridge connecting generations and nations.

We offer our prayers for all the soldiers who departed this life as a result of wounds and illnesses sustained on the battlefields. May the Lord grant rest to their souls “in a place of light, a place of green pasture, a place of repose,” where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing.

May the Lord preserve peace in our land, strengthen friendship between the peoples of Russia and Kazakhstan, grant good health to all who labour for the common good, and prevent the horrors of war from ever being repeated.

Memory Eternal to the soldiers who died of their wounds in the hospitals of Dzhambul!

Eternal glory to the defenders of the Fatherland!

Peace, harmony, and prosperity to our peoples!

HEAD OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF KAZAKHSTAN

METROPOLITAN OF ASTANA AND KAZAKHSTAN