On the feast of Saint Alexander Nevsky and Saint Alexander of Svir, Metropolitan Alexander celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of Almaty

September 12, 2025 – the feast of the Holy Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky and Saint Alexander of Svir.

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, who prayerfully marked on this feast his name day as well as the 50th anniversary of his church service, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of Almaty.

Concelebrating with the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan were: the vicars of the Astana diocese – Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Chancellor of the Kazakhstan Metropolis, Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, and Bishop Veniamin of Talgar; Bishop Vianor of Uralsk and Atyrau; the Dean of the parishes of the Southern Capital, Rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral Archpriest Valery Zakharov; Archimandrite Theodosius (Kuryanov), Rector of the Archangel Michael Cathedral in Uralsk; Archpriest Evgeny Vorobyov, Rector of the Church of the “Joy of All Who Sorrow” icon of the Mother of God in Almaty; Archpriest Alexander Suvorov, Sacristan of the Ascension Cathedral and Head of the Department for Public Relations of the Metropolis; Archpriest Alexander Gaichenya, Sacristan of the Nativity of Christ Cathedral; Archpriest Alexander Zyryanov, Dean of the Ili Church District; Igumen Philaret (Petrochenko), Rector of the Iveron Church in Boraldai; Archpriest Ioann Lopatin, Rector of the Alexander Nevsky Church; Rectors and clergy of the Almaty diocese; and heads of departments of the Metropolis in holy orders. The deaconal service was led by Protodeacon Nikolai Grinkevich.

For the service, a reliquary containing a particle of the holy relics of Saint Alexander Nevsky was brought to the cathedral.

Praying at the Liturgy were: the Chancellor of the Kazakhstan Metropolis, conductor of the Metropolis choir, Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov; staff of the Almaty diocesan administration; students of the Almaty Theological Seminary; and benefactors of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

The liturgical hymns were performed by the men’s choir of the Almaty diocese under the direction of Deacon Alexander Piven.

The homily after the Communion hymn was delivered by Priest Georgy Rublinsky.

The Liturgy concluded with the glorification of Saint Alexander Nevsky and Saint Alexander of Svir.

A greeting from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on the occasion of Metropolitan Alexander’s name day was read aloud.

On behalf of the clergy and laity, Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen congratulated Metropolitan Alexander on his angel’s day.

The Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolis expressed gratitude for the good wishes and asked those gathered in the cathedral for fervent prayers that God’s grace-filled help may be granted in his ministry to the Church of Christ. He then congratulated the archpastors, clergy, monastics, and laity on the feast of the great saints – Saint Alexander Nevsky and Saint Alexander of Svir.

A polychronion (Many Years) was proclaimed for His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, for the Head, the episcopate, clergy, monastics, and laity of the Kazakhstan Metropolis, for the President of the country K.-Zh.K. Tokayev, for the authorities, the armed forces, and all the people of Kazakhstan.