Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos – Patronal Feast of the Main Cathedral of the Pavlodar Diocese

April 7, 2025 – Pavlodar. The Feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is the patronal celebration of the main church of the Pavlodar Diocese of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District – the Annunciation Cathedral.

The festive services at the Annunciation Cathedral were led by Archbishop Varlaam of Pavlodar and Ekibastuz.

On April 6, the eve of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, Archbishop Varlaam celebrated the All-Night Vigil; and on April 7, the day of the feast itself, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

Concelebrating with the archpastor were: the Dean of the Ekibastuz Church District, Rector of the Iveron–Seraphim Cathedral in the city of Ekibastuz, Protopriest Igor Popov; Secretary of the Pavlodar Diocesan Administration, Dean of the Pavlodar Church District, Protopriest Alexei Stepanov; Rector of the Church of the Prophet Elijah in the village of Peschanoe, Protopriest Oleg Mironov; Sacristan of the Annunciation Cathedral, Priest Alexei Gmyza; Rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in the village of Zhelezinka, Hieromonk Pavel (Kuzyakin); Head of the Youth Ministry Department of the Pavlodar Diocese and cleric of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Pavlodar, Priest Vladimir Bryukhanov; Rector of the Church of All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Russian Land in the settlement of Solnechny, Priest Vasily Tkachuk; cleric of the Iveron–Seraphim Cathedral in Ekibastuz, Priest Dimitry Minakov; and Deacon Ambrose Taukenov.

The liturgical hymns were sung by the choir of the Annunciation Cathedral under the direction of Elena Yusupzhanova.

At the Little Entrance, in recognition of their dedicated pastoral service and in connection with the approaching feast of Holy Pascha, clergy of the Pavlodar Diocese were granted Patriarchal and hierarchical liturgical awards.

The homily after the Communion verse was delivered by Hieromonk Pavel (Kuzyakin).

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, a festive procession was held, followed by a moleben and the singing of praises before the icon of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Archbishop Varlaam congratulated the clergy and faithful on the occasion of the patronal feast and addressed those gathered with words of instruction.

According to the ancient tradition of the Annunciation, the archpastor, clergy, and parishioners released white doves into the sky from the cathedral’s porch.

At the conclusion of the service, a festive meal was offered to all who wished to partake.