The word of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan on the occasion of the Day of Memory of Reverend Sevastian of Karaganda

Today in the church calendar marks the Sunday celebrated in honor of the Venerable Sebastian of Karaganda — the Holy Trinity’s servant and the spiritual successor of the Optina elders, an earthly angel and a heavenly man. With these words of church hymns, we glorify the confessor of faith and the heavenly patron of the city of Karaganda — the Mining Capital of Kazakhstan, and of our entire country.

The name of the Venerable Sebastian has become well known in the Orthodox world in recent decades, but we who live on the blessed land of Kazakhstan are granted a special divine grace — we have the opportunity to visit those holy places where the elder lived and struggled, we can bow in prayer before his holy relics, asking for ourselves and our loved ones gracious help from above.

The example of the Karagandan holy man is instructive for each of us; his life, on one hand, was filled with sorrows and deprivations, and on the other, with miraculous manifestations of Divine grace. Once the Apostle Paul said about himself and his fellow preachers of the Gospel: “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Corinthians 6:10). The enemies of Orthodoxy tried to break the elder Sebastian with slander, prison bonds, and penal labor, but he rejoiced because he was granted to suffer for Christ's name. He was materially poor, endured hunger and cold, but enriched others with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, warmed all who came to him with true Gospel love. The Venerable, being a true monastic ascetic, owned nothing himself, but gained a treasure surpassing all the material goods of this world — eternal life and the Kingdom of Heaven.

When we reflect on the lines of the life of Hieroschemamonk Sebastian, read the stories and memories of him by his spiritual children and contemporaries, the mysterious action of the power of God, which is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), is revealed to us. He always remained in prayer and meditation, drew strength to bear the pastoral cross and the sufferings of confession during the Divine Liturgy, inspired by the words of the chief apostle: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Humbly passing through the school of Optina monasticism and bravely overcoming a whirlpool of trials, the Venerable Sebastian acquired spiritual fruits, about which Scripture speaks: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). Divine providence appointed him as a spiritual mentor for the numerous Orthodox people, like himself, far from their native places, in sorrowful circumstances, under the most difficult conditions of exile. The elder offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, with great patience and love, comforting the fainthearted and supporting the weak (1 Thessalonians 5:14). The Lord glorified His chosen one with the gift of fervent prayer and miracles, so that his name became known far beyond Karaganda. People flocked to the elder to share their sorrows, to hear his advice and instruction, to ask for his prayer support, to receive healing from ailments and consolation in sorrows. Under his wise spiritual guidance, a significant number of clergy and monastics were raised, some of whom later became strong parish mentors and leaders of monastic communities.

The Venerable Sebastian, by the example of his holy life, ardent preaching, and tireless prayerful labors, inspired the people, exhausted by repressions and the hardships of war, with a sense of moral vigor, awakened faith in God in them, strengthened hope for the revival of Christ's Church.

The Karaganda elder left us many teachings, easy to remember, simple in their presentation, but deep in content. We who honor the memory of this great servant of God need to turn more often to his spiritual legacy, remembering his fatherly instructions and commands. "The Lord will descend into our hearts when we open the entrance to Him with humility, patience, purity, chastity, meekness, good deeds, love for neighbors, and especially for God with obedience, prayer, restraint of soul and bodily sensations," teaches us the holy Sebastian. And before his demise, the venerable left such a spiritual testament: "I ask you all about one thing: live in peace. Peace and love are the most important. You will not be saved by anything that is outside of you, but only by what you achieve inside your soul and in your heart — peaceful silence and love."
There is an immutable spiritual law — love multiplies when we meet others, give them our time and energy, help with material resources, or simply offer our attention. By doing so, we transform the world around us and fill it with divine grace. This simple, yet profoundly effective spiritual rule encapsulates the essence of true peace and happiness, which every person aspires to. The purpose of our existence is to share love and joy and to glorify God through our good deeds, thus living life abundantly as Jesus intended (John 10:10). When we allow Christ into our hearts and let Him act through us, peace and tranquility reign in our lives, and we become participants in the Kingdom of God within us (Luke 17:21).

The memory of the Venerable Sebastian of Karaganda compels us to pray for peace and prosperity in Kazakhstan, for the well-being of all countries and peoples, and for an end to hostilities. It also inspires us to work towards the eradication of hatred and malice from human hearts. As we kneel before the holy relics of the saint and gaze upon his radiant icon, we ask him to be with us and to elevate our prayers to the Throne of the Lord, seeking the conversion of people to unashamed faith, strong hope, and sincere love.

May the prayers of the Venerable Sebastian protect the Orthodox Church and the land of Kazakhstan, and let the peace of God, which we are called to, rule in our hearts, according to the words of the Apostle (Colossians 3:14-15). May it provide gracious assistance in further labors for the benefit of the Holy Church.