January 6, 2025, the eve of the Nativity of Christ, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan conducted an all-night vigil in the Ascension Cathedral of Almaty.
The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan was joined in service by the spiritual father of the Almaty Diocese, Archimandrite Ioann (Sazonov), and the cathedral clergy.
In the main cathedral of the Southern capital, a sacred relic was present: a copy of the Ark containing the Gifts of the Magi, brought to Almaty from the Holy Monastery of Saint Paul on Mount Athos.
According to the Church’s Typikon, the vigil on the eve of Christmas begins with Great Compline, during which the triumphant hymn of the Prophet Isaiah is sung: “God is with us, understand, O nations, and submit yourselves, for God is with us!” The frequent repetition of the words “God is with us” expresses the spiritual joy of the faithful at the coming into the world of the Savior-Emmanuel, foretold by the prophets.
The compline concluded with a litia (intensified prayer) and the blessing of bread, wine, wheat, and oil.
At Matins, after reading the passage from the Gospel of Matthew recounting the birth of the Infant Christ from the Ever-Virgin Mary, the Head of the Metropolis addressed those gathered with an archpastoral sermon.
During the Christmas Matins, the Canon of the Nativity of Christ was sung: “Christ is born—glorify Him! Christ is from Heaven—meet Him!” In the festive hymns of the all-night vigil, the angelic doxologies for Christmas were frequently repeated: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men!”
During the reading of the Canon, Metropolitan Alexander anointed the faithful, who venerated the icon of the feast, with holy oil.
After the conclusion of the service, the choir of the Metropolis, under the direction of Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov, performed one of the most well-known Christmas carols in the world: “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
“Today, all creation, the assembly of angels, and the human race are filled with rejoicing at the Birth of the Divine Infant in Bethlehem. The cause of this great joy for Heaven and earth is the Incarnation: ‘Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world’ (1 Tim. 3:16). The Son of God came to earth to reconcile humanity with God, to revive mankind for a new sinless life through His life, crucifixion, and glorious Resurrection from the dead, and to prepare us for the eternal blessed Kingdom. The Psalmist David, prophetically contemplating in Old Testament times the coming of the Word of God into the world, calls: ‘Praise the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever!’ (Ps. 117:1). But how can we glorify God and give thanks to the Savior for all His ineffable blessings? The Lord tells us: ‘For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings’ (Hos. 6:6). God desires and expects only one thing from us—our salvation. The feast of the appearance of Christ in the world is a special time to reflect on our relationship with God and with our neighbors, to ask ourselves whether we love our Heavenly Father ‘with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength’ (Mark 12:33), whether we treat those around us in a Christian manner, and whether we have learned to ‘forgive our brother who sins against us’ (Matt. 18:21). This salvific Christmas night should inspire each of us to live according to the Gospel, open the path to God’s Kingdom, make us zealous in keeping His commandments and vigilant in prayer, teach us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15). May the Christ Child born this night bless our nation, the Holy Church, our Kazakhstan with peace, unity, prosperity, happiness, and well-being, and may He preserve all of us in good health ‘for your progress and joy in the faith’ (Phil. 1:25).” From the Christmas word of Metropolitan Alexander.
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