All-Night Vigil on the Eve of the Patronal Feast of the Dormition Cathedral of the Capital of Kazakhstan

August 27, 2025. Astana. On the eve of the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Bishop Vianor of Uralsk and Atyrau celebrated the All-Night Vigil at the Dormition Cathedral.

The Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God is the patronal day of the main church of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan.

His Grace was concelebrated by: Protopriest Evgeny Vorobyov, rector of the church in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow”; Hieromonk Dimitry (Baydek), sacristan of the Dormition Cathedral; the cathedral clergy; and the clergy of the Astana deanery.

At the All-Night Vigil, with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, Bishop Vianor of Uralsk and Atyrau tonsured into the rank of Reader Nikolai Goryachev, sacristan of the Dormition Cathedral.

At Great Vespers, according to the Church Typikon, a litia (fervent supplication) was performed with the blessing of bread, wine, wheat, and oil.

At Matins, during the singing of the troparion of the feast “In giving birth you preserved your virginity,” the epitaphios depicting the Dormition of the Theotokos was brought out from the altar to the center of the church and placed on a flower- and grapevine-adorned bier.

After the reading of the Gospel, Bishop Vianor congratulated the faithful on the approaching feast and anointed the clergy and laity with blessed oil.

On the very day of the feast, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Dormition Cathedral of Astana. The service will begin at 9:00.