Congratulations to Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan on the Feast of his Heavenly Patrons and the 50th anniversary of church service from the Almaty Theological Seminary

September 12, 2025. On the feast of the heavenly patrons - the Holy Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky and Saint Alexander of Svir - and on the 50th anniversary of church service, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, is congratulated by the administration, faculty, and students of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary:

Your Eminence, most honorable Master, Metropolitan Alexander, our archpastor and father!

From the administration, teachers, and students of the Almaty Theological Seminary please accept our congratulations on the feast of your heavenly patrons, as well as on this significant date in your life - the 50th anniversary of your church service.

Like your heavenly patrons, you too through your sacrificial labors, fervent prayers, steadfastness, patience, and far-sighted wise decisions, with the help of God, transform and transfigure the reality around you, developing various aspects of church life. Your diligent work always bears abundant and good fruits. You tirelessly call your flock to live according to the ideals of the Gospel, to works of love and mercy, to the building of peace and social harmony. Your authoritative voice is heard by contemporaries, for your preaching is not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power (1 Cor. 2:4).

On this special day for you, as you recall the beginning of your studies in the theological schools of the city on the Neva, we would like to express words of gratitude and filial thanks for your constant care and active concern for the seminary you established 15 years ago in the city of Almaty.

All of us who work and study in our higher theological school lift up prayers to the Lord for the granting to you of health, salvation, and success in all things, knowing that His mercy is boundless and the abyss of His loving-kindness is unsearchable.

Please accept our sincere wishes for strength of soul and body, for generous help from God, and for success in your lofty and responsible archpastoral ministry.