At the Conclusion of Bright Week, Metropolitan Alexander Celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael in Uralsk

April 26, 2025 — Saturday of Bright Week.

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Divine Liturgy according to the Paschal rite at the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael in Uralsk.

Concelebrating with the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan were: Bishop Nicholas of Salavat and Kumertau (Bashkortostan Metropolia); Bishop Ignatius of Aktobe and Kyzylorda; Vicar of the Astana Diocese Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan; Bishop Vianor of Uralsk and Atyrau; Protopriest Evgeny Vorobyov, rector of the Church of the “Joy of All Who Sorrow” Icon of the Mother of God in Almaty; Archimandrite Theodosius (Kuryanov), rector of the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael in Uralsk; Archimandrite Dionysius (Kozulev), dean of the Uralsk church district; Igumen Elias (Danileyko), rector of the Church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, the capital of Western Kazakhstan; Protopriest Anatoly Robu, rector of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Uralsk; Igumen Dorotheus (Dilmanaev), head of the Information Department of the Uralsk Diocese; Priest Georgy Sidorov, head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolis; clergy of the Uralsk Diocese and clerics of the Orenburg Metropolia; Protodeacon Roman Golovin, head of the Protocol Service of the Metropolitan; Protodeacon Vladimir Syrovatsky; Deacon Rustik Yakupov.

The liturgical hymns were performed by the archdiocesan choir under the direction of L. Bondareva.

Praying at the service were: Abbess Barbara (Morozova) with the sisters of the Protection Monastery; parishioners of the churches of Uralsk; pilgrims from neighboring settlements of Western Kazakhstan; and representatives of the Cossacks.

Also attending the service were: Monsignor Peter Sakmar, Apostolic Administrator; representatives of the government authorities.

After the Communion verse, Priest Georgy Sidorov read aloud the Paschal Message of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a glorification to the Bright Resurrection of Christ was performed, after which the hierarch broke the Holy Artos — the blessed Paschal bread — and blessed it for distribution to the faithful “so that all who partake of it may be granted bodily and spiritual blessing and health.”

The Head of the Metropolis warmly thanked the hierarchs, clergy, and all participants for their common prayer and congratulated everyone on the Paschal celebrations.

After exchanging the Paschal greeting with the clergy and faithful, Metropolitan Alexander delivered a sermon.

The Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael was immediately followed by the funeral service (Office of Burial) for the newly departed Archbishop Anthony (Moskalenko), who had reposed in the Lord on April 23.

At the center of the cathedral was placed the coffin containing the body of the late hierarch, covered according to ancient tradition with a purple episcopal mantle.

Parishioners of the cathedral and faithful from the towns and villages of Western Kazakhstan gathered to pray for the repose of Archbishop Anthony and to bid him farewell.

During the Liturgy, special petitions were offered for the repose of the newly departed hierarch.

“Artos” in Greek means “leavened bread.” This term refers to a special loaf blessed on the Feast of Holy Pascha. Throughout Bright Week, the Artos was placed in a prominent place in our churches together with the icon of the Resurrection of Christ and was carried in the Paschal processions around the church. Today, at the close of Bright Week, it is broken into pieces and distributed to the faithful.

The custom of the Artos dates back to apostolic times. In the Gospel we read that on the fortieth day after His Resurrection from the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. The disciples and followers of Christ found comfort in prayerful remembrance of the Lord.

Gathering for common prayer, they would recall the Mystical Supper, partake of the Body and Blood of Christ, and hold a common meal. At such gatherings, they would leave a special place vacant in memory of the Lord, placing there a loaf of bread, as a sign of His real, though unseen, presence among them.

Thus, by the placement of the Artos in the church during Pascha, we visibly express the faith that the Suffering Savior has become the true Bread of Life and remains with us always.

In the prayer for the blessing of the Artos, we ask the Lord that all who partake of it may be granted heavenly blessing, protection from all illnesses, and the bestowal of health.

The same petitions are offered at the breaking of the Artos.

Let us, therefore, reverently keep this holy bread in our homes and partake of it with prayer and devotion to Christ the Giver of Life, Who was crucified for us and rose on the third day.”

From the sermon of Metropolitan Alexander