Condolences from the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, on the Passing of Archbishop Serapion of Kokshetau and Akmola

Your Graces,

Reverend Fathers, Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The sorrowful news of the tragic passing of Archbishop Serapion of Kokshetau and Akmola has deeply grieved our hearts. As it is sung in the order of the Christian funeral service, “Suddenly the dreadful hour of death has come,” and grief has filled the souls of all who knew, respected, and loved the departed archpastor—a zealous laborer in the vineyard of Christ, an exemplar of service to God and neighbor, a humble and diligent man.

By the mysterious and unfathomable Providence of God, Vladyka Serapion, in the prime of his years, has been taken from earthly existence to the Heavenly Dwelling. Yet the pain of parting with the reposed is softened by the joyful proclamation of the ancient prophecy: “Death is swallowed up in victory, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8).

Saint Ephraim the Syrian speaks thus about the final farewell of an archpastor with his flock: “Though the departed are separated from us and far from our sight, their word remains with us, and even in death, they continue to teach us. Only the bodily covering decays, but the soul, as it is, remains forever alive and imperishable.”

At the hour when we bid farewell to our loved ones as they embark on the journey of all the earth, images of their lives pass before our minds—memories of the joy of communion, shared labors, and edifying conversations. Sacred Scripture testifies: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. They will rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Revelation 14:13). The works of the reposed hierarch encompass nearly forty years of service at the Lord’s altar, twelve of which were in the episcopal rank in Kazakhstan, dedicated to the building and beautification of churches, daily pastoral care for his spiritual children, and the continual instruction of clergy and laity to walk as “children of light, in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” (Ephesians 5:8-9).

The departed archpastor labored with fervent zeal for the benefit of Orthodoxy in his native land of Kazakhstan. He carried in his heart the image of the ascetic hierarch, Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), and the spiritual guidance of the grace-filled elder, Archimandrite John (Krestiankin). Vladyka was granted the blessing of entering the brotherhood of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra and receiving monastic tonsure at the relics of the venerable Abba Sergius. Following the precepts of his spiritual fathers and mentors, he unwaveringly sought to fulfill the will of God through obedience to the ecclesiastical authority, seeking not to please himself, but to serve God and His people.

Through his labors, the majestic Resurrection Cathedral was built in the city of Kokshetau. This temple can rightly be called one of the most beautiful church structures in our country. Within the parishes of the Kokshetau-Akmolinsk Diocese, he strove to cultivate an atmosphere of Christian love and peace. The late archpastor devoted great efforts to the moral upbringing of the younger generation. Whatever obediences the Lord called Vladyka Serapion to, he invariably fulfilled them with his characteristic wisdom, sincerity, and Gospel-centered love for others.

Now he has been born into eternity. In His mercy, the Lord granted His faithful servant the blessing of celebrating the Divine Liturgy and partaking of the Life-Giving Mysteries shortly before his departure from earthly life, “for the remission of sins and unto life everlasting.”

Let us fervently pray to the Savior of the world for the repose of the newly departed archpastor in the heavenly dwellings—where there is no sickness, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting. May he be found worthy to hear the blessed voice of Christ, to whom he dedicated his life: “Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21).

“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 our hearts and establish them in every good word and work” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

Eternal and grateful memory to the servant of God, Archbishop Serapion!