Metropolitan Alexander performed a litiya at the coffin of the newly departed Archbishop of Kokshetau and Akmola Serapion

January 31, 2025. Kokshetau. The head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, arrived in the main diocesan city of the Kokshetau and Akmola diocese.

In the Resurrection Cathedral, at the coffin with the body of the newly departed Archbishop of Kokshetau and Akmola Serapion, the Metropolitan performed a funeral litiya.

Together with the Head of the Metropolitan District, the prayer for the deceased archpastor was performed by: Vicar of the Astana Diocese Bishop of Taldykorgan Claudian, Bishop of Chimkent and Turkestan Chrysanthus, Vicar of the Astana Diocese Bishop of Talgar Veniamin; clergy of the Kokshetau and Astana Dioceses.

Then, over the coffin of the newly departed Archbishop Serapion, the clergy continued the continuous reading of the Holy Gospel prescribed by the ancient liturgical tradition. Metropolitan Alexander read several verses.

In his speech about the deceased hierarch, the Metropolitan said, in particular: “At a young age, Archbishop Serapion chose the path of serving God and neighbor in monasticism and holy orders, and throughout his life he labored for the glory of the Lord, devoting his strength and talents to the benefit of the Church of Christ, taking care that the word of God continued to spread and flourish (Acts 12:24). Being a native of Kazakhstan, he loved this ancient blessed land. With humility and trust in the all-wise Providence of God, the deceased Vladyka bore the cross of archpastoral work. Unexpectedly for all of us, the Almighty called to Himself His faithful servant, who invariably strove “to be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). May Christ, the Giver of life and the Conqueror of death, forgive the newly departed Archbishop Serapion every sin, voluntary and involuntary, and may He settle his soul in the heavenly abodes where the righteous rest and grant him eternal and blessed memory."