The Head of the Metropolitan District Celebrates the Divine Liturgy in the Main Church of the Southern Capital

December 15, 2024 – 25th Sunday after Pentecost; the feast day of the Prophet Habakkuk.

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were: Protopriest Evgeny Vorobyov, Rector of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow”; Archimandrite Ioann (Sazonov), Spiritual Father of the Almaty Diocese; Protopriest Alexander Suvorov, Sacristan of the Ascension Cathedral and Head of the Metropolitan District’s Public Relations Department; Protopriest Evgeny Ivanov, Acting Rector of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary and Head of the Metropolitan District’s Information Department; Igumen Philip (Moiseev), Member of the Patriarchal Commission on Physical Culture and Sports; Hieromonk Prokhor (Yendovitsky), Head of the Metropolitan’s Personal Secretariat; Hieromonk Cherubim (Levin); Priest Georgy Sidorov, Head of the Metropolitan’s Administrative Secretariat; Priest Daniil Bobylev, Head of the Distance Learning Department of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary; Priest Ioann Konoplev, Sacristan of the Adrian-Nataliev Church; Protodeacon Nikolay Grinkevich; Protodeacon Roman Golovin, Head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Service; Protodeacon Vladimir Syrovatsky; Deacon Vitaly Bystrushkin; Deacon Alexander Piven; and Deacon Ioann Zhuchkov.

The hymns were sung by the choir of the Kazakhstan Metropolis, conducted by the Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov, and the cathedral choir, conducted by O. Kuznetsova.

After the Communion Verse, a homily was delivered by Protopriest Evgeny Ivanov.

The Liturgy concluded with a glorification of the Holy Forefathers, after which Metropolitan Alexander delivered a pastoral sermon.

“Fasting is a time when, as the Apostle says, ‘The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber’ (Rom. 13:11). The Church calls us to awaken from the oblivion of sin, to break free from the cycle of vanity and weariness of spirit (cf. Eccles. 1:14), and to remember the true meaning of life—the purpose of human existence on earth—to remember that ‘Our citizenship is in Heaven’ (Phil. 3:20). Fasting is a time when, overcoming selfishness and self-reliance, we once again place the Lord at the center of our lives, establishing the only true framework for our existence. Fasting is the time of our return to the Heavenly Father through repentance and participation in the Sacraments of the Church—Confession and Holy Communion. The labor of fasting includes intensified prayer and diligence in attending church. Another integral component is careful reading and studying of the Word of God—Sacred Scripture. One more important aspect of the Nativity Fast is highlighted by the ever-memorable Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh, who said, ‘Our self-restraint from everything unnecessary and excessive must bring benefit and joy to others.’ The Apostle Paul exhorts us, ‘Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity’ (Col. 3:12,14). In these holy days, let us hurry, as much as possible, to share material resources with those in need, visit the sick and infirm, encourage the despondent, and warm the hearts of those seeking comfort with kind words. Let us strive to see in our neighbors the image of Christ Himself.” From the sermon of Metropolitan Alexander.