Address of the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan On the Occasion of the Celebration of the Miraculous Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in the Kostanay Diocese

November 22, 2024 – In the liturgical calendar, this day is dedicated to the celebration of the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear.” For over two decades, the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen in the city of Kostanay, the main church of the Kostanay Diocese, has venerated the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear.” This icon was written on Mount Athos at the beginning of the 20th century specifically for the faithful of Kustanay. On the back of the icon is inscribed: “This icon was written and consecrated on Holy Mount Athos in the Holy Trinity Monastery under the leadership of Hieromonk Seraphim. 1909.”

On the occasion of the celebration of the miraculous icon “Quick to Hear” in the Kostanay Diocese, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, addressed the Orthodox faithful with the following message:

Reverend Fathers, dear brothers and sisters, residents of Kustanay Land!

I warmly congratulate you all on the feast of the miraculous Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Quick to Hear.” This ancient image of the Queen of Heaven, written in the 10th century, is located on Holy Mount Athos, in the Dochiariou Monastery. According to the monastery’s tradition, this icon was glorified through a remarkable event. In 1664, a monk of the monastery, Neilos, was sternly admonished by the Mother of God for his neglectful attitude toward her holy image—he was struck with blindness. In bitter repentance, Neilos prayed before the icon of the Sovereign Lady, pleading for forgiveness, and then he heard a wondrous voice informing him of his pardon and healing. The Mother of God declared these words: “From this time forth, My icon will be called ‘Quick to Hear,’ for I will quickly show mercy and answer the prayers of all who turn to it.”

A pious tradition emerged whereby Athonite monks began to create replicas of this ancient icon, which were consecrated before the miracle-working image of the Queen of Heaven. One of these icons, written on Mount Athos in 1909 in the Trinity Skete of the Great Lavra, now blesses the city of Kostanay and this generous Kazakhstani region, known as the breadbasket of the country. This venerable icon “Quick to Hear” has become renowned for miracles. From those early days to our own time, prayers before the Theotokos have brought healing to the sick, comfort to the sorrowful, and assistance to those in distress. The icon we venerate today is connected with well-known ascetics of faith and piety, including the ever-memorable Bishop Timon (Rusanov), the first hierarch of Kustanay land, a confessor of the faith, a fighter against godlessness and schism, and a fearless proclaimer of God’s truth. In his prayers before the Athonite image “Quick to Hear,” as well as other ascetics and martyrs for Christ, he found strength to tirelessly labor for the establishment of holy Orthodoxy and the benefit of his neighbors.

In glorifying this holy icon of the Queen of Heaven, brought to Kustanay soil by our pious ancestors 115 years ago, we can, like the righteous Elizabeth, exclaim: “And why is this granted to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). We lift our eyes to her and pray with the words of the troparion: “Quickly hear our prayer, O Virgin, for you are called ‘Quick to Hear,’ as you are the swift Helper in sorrows to your servants.”

When praying to the Most Holy Theotokos, Orthodox Christians address her with many exalted names—Queen of Heaven, Sovereign Lady of the world, More Honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more Glorious than the Seraphim, Zealous Intercessor, Consolation, and Comfort. Yet the most tender and heartfelt address is “Mother.” She is the Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of our Life. And at the same time, she is the loving Mother of each of us. Why can we call the Queen of Heaven our Mother? Who has granted us such great boldness? The answer is this: we are all her children, adopted at Golgotha during the crucifixion of the Savior. The Lord’s words, initially spoken to the Apostle John the Theologian—“Behold your Mother!” (John 19:26)—are addressed to each of us. Children are born in suffering—in the agony of the Cross, she became our spiritual Mother, intercessor, and protector. Therefore, everything related to the life and miracles of the Most Holy Theotokos, as the common Mother of all Christians, is especially dear to the hearts of the faithful. This is why so many prayers and hymns are dedicated to her. This is why no Orthodox service is complete without invoking her name. This is why depictions of her pure image—holy icons—are surrounded with such reverence and veneration. As we gaze upon the icons of the Queen of Heaven, we spiritually behold her heavenly glory. Looking at the icons of the Mother of God, we feel and realize that she is with us, hears our prayers, and lovingly embraces each of us.

“Icons of the Mother of God,” writes St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), “work miracles across the entire earth, proclaim, testify, and seal the truth of Christ’s teaching with signs.” Venerating the revered image of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear,” praying before this ancient shrine, and participating in festive services become sources of divine blessings for each of us, for our Church, and for our native land. They serve as evidence of God’s mercy, strengthen our faith, and inspire acts of compassion. The great hierarch of the 19th century, St. Theophan the Recluse, offers this spiritual advice: “Hasten to those in sorrow, and the ray of mercy of the Most Holy Theotokos, overshadowing them, will overshadow you as well.”

I congratulate you all, dear fathers, brothers, and sisters, on this celebration dedicated to the Most Blessed Virgin Theotokos and wish that, through the intercession of the Queen of Heaven and the prayers of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Kazakhstan, we may, as the Apostle exhorts, “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience” (1 Timothy 6:11).

As we celebrate the feast of the venerable Athonite icon of the Mother of God honored in the Kostanay Diocese, let us pray to her with the words of the kontakion, a brief liturgical hymn: “Extend your helping hand to us, O Lady, as your Son did to the Apostle Peter (Matt. 14:28–31), and hasten to deliver us from afflictions, that we may cry out to you: Rejoice, most gracious Quick to Hear!”

Calling down God’s blessing upon you,

HEAD OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF KAZAKHSTAN
METROPOLITAN ALEXANDER OF ASTANA AND KAZAKHSTAN