Celebration of the Baptism of the Lord in the Ust-Kamenogorsk Diocese

On January 18, 2025, on the Eve of Theophany, Archbishop Amphilochius of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk celebrated the Divine Liturgy, Great Vespers, and the rite of Great Blessing of the Waters at the Resurrection Cathedral in the city of Semipalatinsk.

Concelebrating with the archpastor were: the Dean of the Semipalatinsk Church District, Protopriest Evgeny Yaganov, Protopriest Alexander Yurkin, Protopriest Peter Khonin, Priest Evgeny Khokhryakov, Protodeacon Andrey Dudnik, Protodeacon Nikolay Belokon, and the diocesan secretary, Deacon Ilya Kvan.

Festal hymns were performed by the cathedral choir under the direction of choir director Yu. Khokhryakova.

Attending the service were: teachers and students of the parish Sunday School, representatives of Cossack organizations from the Abay Region, residents of Semipalatinsk, and nearby communities.

After the Prayer Behind the Ambo, Archbishop Amphilochius led the rite of Great Blessing of the Waters.

At the conclusion of the festive service, the archpastor congratulated the clergy and faithful on the Eve of Theophany and addressed the congregation with a pastoral word.

On January 19, the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Eminence celebrated the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and the rite of Great Blessing of the Waters at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk.

Concelebrating with the archpastor were: the cathedral’s sacristan, Hieromonk Nikodim (Avdeev), the cathedral clergy—Priest Vitaly Adamenkov and Priest Roman Podrezov, Protodeacon Andrey Dudnik, and the diocesan secretary, Deacon Ilya Kvan.

The hymns of the Liturgy were performed by the choir of the diocese’s main cathedral under the direction of N. Romantsova.

Among those who prayed at the festive service were: numerous residents of Ust-Kamenogorsk and nearby communities, staff members of the diocesan administration, the brethren of the Trinity Monastery, teachers, and students of the Central Sunday School.

After the Communion Hymn, a homily was delivered by Priest Vitaly Adamenkov.

Following the Prayer Behind the Ambo, the archpastor and clergy proceeded in a procession from the cathedral to a specially prepared ice font on the cathedral square, where the rite of Great Blessing of the Waters was performed. Archbishop Amphilochius then sprinkled the faithful with the great Agiasma to the repeated singing of the festal troparion.

At the conclusion of the service, the archbishop congratulated those present on the great feast of the Baptism of the Lord and addressed the parishioners with a homily.