The Head of the Metropolitan District Presides Over the Vigil Service for the Feast of Theophany at the Main Cathedral of the Southern Capital

On January 18, 2025, on the eve of the Holy Theophany, the Baptism of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan presided over the festive vigil service at the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty.

The clergy of the Ascension Cathedral concelebrated with the Head of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The hymns of the festive service were performed by the Metropolitan District Choir, conducted by Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov, and the Ascension Cathedral Choir, under the direction of O. Kuznetsova.

According to the Church Typikon, the vigil service on the eve of Theophany is celebrated in the same manner as the Christmas service. The service 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!” Compline concludes with the litya (a special supplication) and the blessing of bread, wine, wheat, and oil.

During Matins, after the reading of the Gospel passage narrating Christ’s Baptism in the waters of the Jordan River by St. John the Forerunner, Metropolitan Alexander addressed the faithful with an archpastoral message.

During the singing of the canon of Theophany, “The bottom of the deep was revealed,” at Matins, the Metropolitan anointed clergy and worshippers who venerated the icon of the Baptism of the Lord with sanctified oil.

On the night of January 19, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the Head of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan will celebrate the early Divine Liturgy with the rite of the Great Blessing of the Waters at the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty.

The service will begin at 11:00 PM.