The Foundation Stone Laid for a Church in Honour of St Nicholas the Wonderworker in the Village of Vladimirovka

1 June 2025 – Village of Vladimirovka, Kostanay Region. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the Secretary of the Kostanay Diocese, Hieromonk Gennady (Burdyuzha), performed the blessing of the cross and the foundation stone for the construction of a chapel-church in honour of St Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Present at the service of blessing were: the Akim of the Vladimirovka rural district, A.K. Zhunusova; the ktetor of the future church, G.N. Ubei-Volk; numerous local residents; and specialists responsible for the construction.

Before the rite, the Secretary of the Kostanay Diocese addressed the gathered faithful with words of edification.

In the presence of the worshippers, a document certifying the blessing of the cross and foundation stone was read aloud. The certificate was placed in a metal capsule and laid into a special niche in the foundation of the future church.

Following the appointed prayers, Hieromonk Gennady sprinkled the cross, the stone, and the faithful with holy water.

This event marks the first step for the villagers in reviving the spiritual life of Vladimirovka. The original church in honour of St Nicholas was built in 1899 and consecrated on 1 June 1900. During the Soviet era, the church was closed and destroyed. Today, the foundation for the new church has been laid — precisely on the site of the former church.

The construction of the church will be funded through charitable contributions and voluntary donations from the faithful.