On the Eve of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Metropolitan Alexander Celebrated the All-Night Vigil in the Main Cathedral of Almaty

August 18, 2025, in the evening, on the eve of the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the All-Night Vigil at the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty.

At the service in the main church of the Southern capital, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan was concelebrated by the Spiritual Father of the Almaty Diocese, Archimandrite Ioann (Sazonov), and the clergy of the cathedral.

The hymns were performed by the Choir of the Metropolis (conductor – Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov, choirmaster – V. Dudareva) and the Ascension Cathedral Choir (conductor – E. Boguslavets).

At Great Vespers, according to the Church Typikon, the litia (special supplicatory prayer) was performed with the blessing of bread, wine, wheat, and oil.

At Matins, after the reading of the Gospel passage, Metropolitan Alexander addressed the faithful with a sermon in which he spoke about the spiritual meaning and significance of the Transfiguration of the Savior for Orthodox Christians.

During the chanting of the Canon of the Transfiguration, the faithful were anointed with holy oil.

On the very day of the feast, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Ascension Cathedral of the Southern capital. The service will begin at 8:30 AM.