Congratulations to the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan on his name day and the 50th anniversary of church service from the Secretary of the Metropolis and the staff of diocesan departments

September 12, 2025. The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, is congratulated on his name day and the 50th anniversary of church service by the Secretary of the Metropolis, member of the Church-Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ for the development of church singing, Honored Artist of Russia O. N. Ovchinnikov, as well as by the heads and staff of diocesan departments and commissions:

Your Eminence, dear Vladyka!

Today the Orthodox Church commemorates two outstanding saints - the Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky and Saint Alexander of Svir. You received the name of the holy ruler and diplomat at your holy Baptism, and the name of the humble monk who labored on Valaam and in the Ladoga forests - at your monastic tonsure. In different periods of your ministry you have had to show both firm will in defending the interests of holy Orthodoxy before godless authorities, and the humble labor of arranging church life, and the diplomatic talents of a hierarch representing the interests of his flock.

Half a century ago, in distant 1975, you crossed the threshold of the theological seminary of the city on the Neva, thus beginning your sacrificial church work. From that time until now you have tirelessly served God and people. For fifteen years you have headed the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, being a worthy successor of the wise hierarchs of this blessed land - the Apostle of the Great Steppe Archbishop Sofony (Sokolsky), the Protomartyr of Kazakhstan Bishop Pimen (Belolikov), the Holy Confessor Metropolitan Nicholas (Mogilevsky), the struggler for piety Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), and other hierarchs who left a bright mark in the history of Orthodoxy and of our country.

“It is good to declare the works of God” (Tob. 12:7), says the Holy Scripture. Today, as we prayerfully celebrate the golden jubilee of your church ministry and recall together with you the milestones of your life, we reflect on the action of Divine Providence and the intercession of the Mother of God, which have always been manifest and continue to manifest in your life.

Those who are near you have the great honor of helping you in your difficult hierarchal labors. All of us - your co-workers - are witnesses of the many gifts and talents with which the Creator and Giver of all good things, God, has endowed you. But the brightest qualities of your soul are Christian kindness and evangelical mercy, the ability to forgive and to bear with the weaknesses of others.

On this special day for you, we pray for your health and well-being. May the Lord strengthen you by the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky, Saint Alexander of Svir, and all the saints who shone forth in the land of Kazakhstan, in bearing your laborious apostolic ministry for the good of the Holy Church, and preserve you for many and good years!