On May 18, 2025, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, celebrates his 68th birthday.
The episcopate of Kazakhstan, the Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, member of the Church and Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for the Development of Church Singing, Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov, the heads of departments and commissions of the Metropolitan District, clergy, monastics, and laity of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan extend heartfelt congratulations to His Eminence Metropolitan Alexander on the occasion of his birthday. They prayerfully wish him mercy from the Risen Christ, the Giver of Life, good health, strength of soul and body, and the grace-filled help of God in carrying out his high and responsible archpastoral ministry in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
“For many years you have labored in Christ’s vineyard, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, offering the Bloodless Sacrifice of thanksgiving on behalf of all and for all, turning people’s hearts to ‘the living and true God’ (1 Thess. 1:9). Half a century ago, in the distant year of 1975, you entered the doors of the theological seminary in the city on the Neva, thus beginning your sacrificial service to the Church. Since then and to this day, you have tirelessly served God and His people. For fifteen years, you have led the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, standing as a worthy successor to the divinely wise hierarchs of this blessed land—the Apostle of the Great Steppe Archbishop Sophonius (Sokolsky), the Protomartyr of Kazakhstan Bishop Pimen (Belolikov), the confessor of the faith Metropolitan Nicholas (Mogilevsky), the ascetic of piety Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), and other hierarchs who have left a profound mark on the history of Orthodoxy and the Fatherland. ‘A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things’ (Matt. 12:35), says the Savior in His Gospel. Being near you and having the high honor of assisting you in your difficult archpastoral labors, we are all witnesses to the many gifts and talents with which the Creator and Giver of all blessings—God—has endowed you. But the most prominent qualities of your soul are truly Christian kindness and mercy, expressed in your ability to forgive and understand your neighbor, to condescend to the weaknesses of your flock, to forget offenses, to encourage, and to extend a helping hand. Your example of a virtuous life and selfless service inspires us to undertake constructive labors for the good of the Mother Church and to follow the commandments of Christ. On this special day, we pray for your health and well-being. May the Lord, who rose on the third day, strengthen you through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos and all the saints who have shone forth in the land of Kazakhstan, in bearing your laborious apostolic ministry for the good of the Holy Church, and may He preserve you for many and good years!”
From the congratulatory address of the Secretary of the Metropolitan District, member of the Church and Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for the Development of Church Singing, Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov, and the staff of the Almaty Diocesan Administration to Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan.
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