The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan Arrives in Karaganda for the Celebration of the Uncovering of the Relics of Venerable Sebastian of Karaganda

April 26, 2025. The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, arrived in Karaganda for the celebration of the uncovering of the relics of Venerable Sebastian of Karaganda (the celebration was postponed from April 19).

The hierarch was welcomed by: Archbishop Sebastian of Karaganda and Shakhtinsk, the Administrator of the Karaganda Diocese; Archpriest Dimitry Patrikeev, Secretary of the Karaganda Diocese; Hieromonk Moses (Patrikeev), Head of the Public Relations Department of the Karaganda Diocese.

Metropolitan Alexander is accompanied by:

Vicar Bishops of the Astana Diocese – Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan; Bishop Benjamin of Talgar; Archpriest Evgeny Vorobyev, Rector of the Church of the “Joy of All Who Sorrow” Icon of the Mother of God in Almaty; Priest George Sidorov, Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District; Protodeacon Roman Golovin, Head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Service; Protodeacon Vladimir Syrovatsky; Protodeacon Alexander Mokiy; Deacon Ioann Churkin; Deacon Rustik Yakupov.

The honored guest of the celebration is Bishop Nicholas of Salavat and Kumertau (Bashkortostan Metropolis).

Archpastors of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan gathered in the “Mining Capital” of the country for the festivities.

At the Presentation Cathedral, near the tomb containing the relics of the venerable elder, Metropolitan Alexander together with the bishops and clergy performed the Paschal magnification and chanted the magnification to the saint.

In the evening, an All-Night Vigil was served in the cathedral.