On December 6, 2024, in Almaty, the feast day of the Holy Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky was celebrated with a Divine Liturgy held at the cathedral bearing his name. The festive service was presided over by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, alongside other Kazakh hierarchs and clergy.
After the Liturgy, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan laid flowers at the monument to the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky, located in the cathedral square.
Joining Metropolitan Alexander in the flower-laying ceremony were Archbishop Amphilochius of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk, Auxiliary Bishops of the Astana Diocese—Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, the Chancellor of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, and Bishop Benjamin of Talgar. Other participants included the Dean of Almaty parishes, Archpriest Valery Zakharov, rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral; the Dean of Astana parishes, Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev); O.N. Ovchinnikov, the Secretary of the Kazakh Metropolitan District, conductor of the Metropolitan Choir, member of the Patriarchal Council for Church Singing Development, and Honored Artist of Russia; as well as faculty and students of Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary, clergy, and parishioners from the city’s churches.
The bronze figure of Prince Alexander, holding the miraculous Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, portrays him as an intercessor before God, a guardian of faith, a defender of the suffering, and a proponent of peace and unity among nations. Historical records suggest that during his journey to the Mongol Empire’s capital of Karakorum, Alexander visited the Great Steppe, including areas now known as Almaty. His mission focused on fostering inter-civilizational dialogue across Eurasia and establishing diplomatic ties between Slavic and Turkic peoples. The monument was crafted by Sergey Shcherbakov, an academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, People’s Artist of Russia, and professor.
The monument to the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky was consecrated by Metropolitan Alexander on July 13, 2023.
A message from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia was addressed to the participants of the monument’s unveiling. “The name of Saint Alexander is linked to unique chapters in our history. Through his diplomatic decisions, this ruler contributed to the formation of a distinctive model of interreligious and interethnic harmony across Eurasia. His noble ideals resonate with the policies of the Republic of Kazakhstan aimed at preserving civil harmony and strengthening unity in the country’s multicultural and multireligious society,” noted His Holiness.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan also congratulated the people on the monument’s unveiling, stating, “Prince Alexander Nevsky stands as an iconic figure, symbolizing the brotherly bonds and alliance between the Great Steppe and Ancient Rus. His multifaceted efforts fostered the progressive ideals of Eurasian civilization, rooted in respect for all religious and cultural traditions.” The President emphasized that Prince Alexander is remembered in world history as an outstanding statesman, diplomat, and peacemaker.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also extended his greetings to the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and all participants in the celebrations. “We admire his courage and wisdom, his sacrificial deeds performed for the benefit of his homeland. He is revered as a guardian of faith and national unity. The image of Prince Alexander Nevsky inspired the defenders of our Fatherland in times of severe trials, and his legacy as a diplomat and statesman continues to serve as a significant foundation for constructive dialogue among representatives of different nations and faiths across Eurasia,” noted the Russian President in his message.
Today, the monument to Saint Alexander Nevsky is a landmark in Almaty. The city has established a warm tradition: newlyweds come to the monument after their wedding ceremony to lay flowers and take commemorative photographs.
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