Metropolitan Alexander Conducted a Memorial Service at the Burial Site of the Ever-Memorable Archbishop Eleutherius (Kozorez)

On January 13, 2025, in Shymkent, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, during his archpastoral visit to the Shymkent Diocese, conducted a panikhida for the ever-memorable Archbishop Eleutherius (Kozorez), who is buried near the altar of the St. Nicholas Cathedral.

Praying at the memorial service were Bishop Chrysanthus of Shymkent and Turkestan, clergy of the Shymkent Diocese, spiritual children of the late archbishop, and parishioners of the main church of Shymkent.

Metropolitan Alexander addressed the gathered faithful with a speech in which he gratefully recalled the labors of the ever-memorable archbishop.

At the conclusion of the memorial service, the clergy and faithful sang “Eternal Memory”. Flowers were laid at the burial site.

“For over thirty years, the late hierarch bore the cross of apostolic ministry to the Church of Christ, performing his various labors with love and diligence, ‘proclaiming the mystery of the Gospel’ (Ephesians 6:19), and actively caring for the growth in faith of the flock entrusted to his care. He was a witness and active participant in the revival and development of church life on the blessed land of Kazakhstan after the icy shackles of atheism were broken. In those distant years, the newly ordained archpastor directed all his talents, strength, energy, and knowledge toward organizing church life in Southern, Northern, and Central Kazakhstan. The archbishop restored desecrated shrines, opened new parishes, initiated the development of charitable, educational, and youth ministries, and engaged in dialogue with representatives of state authorities and leaders of traditional religious denominations. Through his efforts, he prepared these regions for the creation of new dioceses within the Metropolitan District: the Kostanay, Petropavlovsk, Kokshetau, and Karaganda Dioceses. Always, following the word of the Apostle, Archbishop Eleutherius strove to be ‘an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity’ (1 Timothy 4:12). In our memory, the late hierarch will remain a humble, sensitive, and kind person who sought to support everyone who turned to him for help and consolation.” From the speech of Metropolitan Alexander in memory of Archbishop Eleutherius.