Epiphany Services Led by the Vicars of the Astana Diocese

January 19, 2025. Almaty. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the vicars of the Astana Diocese officiated services in the churches of Almaty.

Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Chancellor of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Almaty.

Concelebrating with him were the Dean of Almaty Churches and Rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral, Protopriest Valery Zakharov; Vice-Rector for Pastoral Work of the Almaty Theological Seminary, Priest Ioann Livinsky; and Hierodeacon Athanasius (Kozel).

The liturgical hymns were performed by the choir of St. Nicholas Cathedral under the direction of O. Solomonova.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Bishop Gennady, together with the clergy, performed the Great Blessing of the Waters.

After sprinkling the church and the faithful with the Great Agiasma, the clergy and choir sang the troparion and kontakion of the feast before the icon of the Baptism of the Lord.

Following the service, the bishop congratulated the clergy and the faithful on the Feast of Theophany and addressed the congregation with a pastoral teaching.

On the previous evening, he officiated at the All-Night Vigil with the Lity at St. Nicholas Cathedral.

During the night of January 18 to 19, Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan, a vicar of the Astana Diocese, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Annunciation Church in the Alatau District of Almaty, which serves as the representation church of the Taldykorgan Vicariate.

Concelebrating with him were Archimandrite Gabriel (Tutberidze), Protopriest Vladimir Glukhikh, Deacon Grigory Levchenko, and Deacon Rustik Yakupov.

The hymns of the service were performed by the choir of the Annunciation Church under the direction of A. Averyanova.

Among the worshippers were Orthodox Christians residing in the Alatau District and faithful from neighboring settlements.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, during the singing of the troparion “The Voice of the Lord Is Upon the Waters”, Bishop Claudian and the concelebrating clergy proceeded to the center of the church to perform the Great Blessing of the Waters.

The bishop congratulated the congregation on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and delivered a sermon.

On the previous evening, he officiated at the All-Night Vigil with the Lity at the Annunciation Church.

Bishop Benjamin of Talgar, a vicar of the Astana Diocese, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Exaltation of the Cross Church in the Karasu District of Almaty.

Concelebrating with him were the Sacristan of the Exaltation of the Cross Church, Priest Roman Burdukov, and Deacon Pavel Kornienko.

The hymns of the Liturgy were sung by the choir of the Exaltation of the Cross Church under the direction of N. Burdukova.

The bishop offered prayers for the increase of love and the eradication of all hatred and malice.

After the Communion hymn, the bishop congratulated the clergy and parishioners on the Feast of Theophany and delivered a sermon.

Following the Prayer Behind the Ambo, Bishop Benjamin and the concelebrating clergy went to the Jordan and performed the Great Blessing of the Waters.

On the previous evening, he officiated at the All-Night Vigil with the Lity at the Exaltation of the Cross Church.