On the Eve of the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Head of the Metropolis celebrated the All-Night Vigil at the Ascension Cathedral of Almaty

September 20, 2025, in the evening, on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the All-Night Vigil at the Ascension Cathedral of Almaty.

Concelebrating with the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan were: the Vicars of the Astana Diocese – Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Chancellor of the Kazakhstan Metropolis, and Bishop Veniamin of Talgar; Archimandrite Ioann (Sazonov), Spiritual Father of the Almaty Diocese; Vice-Rector of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary, Candidate of Theology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Hegumen Agafangel (Gagua); the Sacristan of the Ascension Cathedral and Head of the Metropolis Department for Public Relations, Archpriest Alexander Suvorov; the Rector of the Almaty Theological Seminary and Head of the Information and Publishing Department of the Metropolis, Candidate of Theology Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov; and the cathedral clergy.

Praying at the service were: V.M. Kapsamun, President of the public foundation Eleos-Meirim; staff of the Almaty Diocesan Administration; and parishioners of the main church of the Southern Capital.

Liturgical chants were performed by the choir of the Metropolis (conductor – Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov, choirmaster – V. Dudareva) and the choir of the Ascension Cathedral (conductor – E. Boguslavets).

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

At Matins, after the reading of the Gospel passage, Metropolitan Alexander addressed the faithful with a sermon in which he spoke about the spiritual meaning and significance of the celebrated event for Orthodox Christians.

During the chanting of the canon to the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the faithful were anointed with blessed oil.

On the very day of the Feast, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Ascension Cathedral of Almaty. The service will begin at 8:30 a.m.