Metropolitan Alexander Served a Litiya at the Burial Site of the Ever-Memorable Archbishop Eleutherius (Kozorez)

August 20, 2025. Shymkent. Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, during his archpastoral visit to the Shymkent Diocese, served a litiya for the ever-memorable Archbishop Eleutherius (Kozorez), who is buried near the altar of St. Nicholas Cathedral.

Praying at the memorial service were: Bishop Chrisanf of Shymkent and Turkestan; Priest Georgy Sidorov, Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolis; Protodeacon Roman Golovin, Head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Service; clergy of the Shymkent Diocese; spiritual children of the reposed hierarch; and parishioners of the main cathedral in the city of Shymkent.

Metropolitan Alexander addressed those gathered with words of gratitude, recalling the labors of the ever-memorable archpastor.

At the conclusion of the litiya, clergy and faithful chanted “Eternal Memory,” and flowers were laid at the burial site.

“For more than thirty years, the reposed hierarch bore the cross of apostolic service to the Church of Christ, carrying out various labors with love and zeal, ‘proclaiming the mystery of the Gospel’ (Eph. 6:19), and showing active concern for the growth in the faith of Christ of the flock entrusted to his care. He was a witness and an active participant in the revival and development of church life on the blessed land of Kazakhstan after the fall of the icy chains of atheism. In those distant years, the newly consecrated archpastor directed all his talents, strength, energy, and knowledge toward building up church life in Southern and Northern Kazakhstan and in the central regions of the country. The hierarch restored desecrated holy sites, opened new parishes, initiated the development of charitable, educational, and youth ministries, and conducted dialogue with representatives of state authorities and leaders of traditional confessions. Through his work, he prepared these regions for the establishment of new dioceses of the Metropolis: Kostanay, Petropavlovsk, Kokshetau, and Karaganda. Always, in the words of the Apostle, Archbishop Eleutherius sought to be ‘an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity’ (1 Tim. 4:12). In our memory, the late hierarch will remain a modest, sensitive, and kind man who sought to support everyone who turned to him for help and consolation.”

From the words of Metropolitan Alexander in memory of Archbishop Eleutherius.