“The Proclaiming Resurrection.” Metropolitan Alexander Celebrates the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Almaty

September 26, 2025 – Forefeast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Commemoration of the Dedication of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem (“The Proclaiming Resurrection”)

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Almaty.

Concelebrating with the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan were: Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan and Bishop Veniamin of Talgar – both vicars of the Astana Diocese; Dean of the parishes of the Southern Capital and Rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral, Archpriest Valery Zakharov; Rector of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Almaty, Archpriest Evgeny Vorobyov; Keykeeper of the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, Archpriest Alexander Gaichenya; Keykeeper of St. Nicholas Cathedral, Archpriest Igor Svetlichny; Rector of the Epiphany Church, Archpriest Valery Shavrin; Rector of St. Paraskeva Church, Archpriest Ioann Lopatin; Keykeeper of the Peter and Paul Church, Archpriest Kirill Shklyar; Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs of the Almaty Theological Seminary, Priest Ioann Livinsky; Head of the Metropolitan’s Secretariat, Hieromonk Prokhor (Yendovitsky); Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolis, Priest Georgy Sidorov; Head of the Distance Learning Department of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary, Priest Daniil Bobylev; Keykeeper of the Kazan Cathedral, Priest Georgy Rublinsky; and clergy from various city parishes.

Attending the Liturgy were: Secretary of the Metropolis of Kazakhstan and Honored Artist of Russia, O. N. Ovchinnikov; staff of the Almaty Diocesan Administration; and parishioners of the Southern Capital’s churches.

For veneration and the spiritual strengthening of the faithful, a reliquary containing a fragment of the Stone of the Holy Sepulchre was brought to the service.

The choir of St. Nicholas Cathedral – conducted by O. Solomonova – sang the Common Chant repertoire.

The homily after Communion was delivered by Priest Georgy Rublinsky.

The Liturgy concluded with the glorification of the Feast of the Bright Resurrection of Christ – the clergy and choir sang the Paschal stichera, after which the Head of the Metropolis exchanged the Paschal greeting with clergy and the faithful in different languages. According to ancient tradition, services on the day of the dedication of the Church of the Resurrection are celebrated with Paschal elements.

The archpastor addressed the faithful with words of spiritual exhortation:

“Today the Church of Christ prayerfully remembers the consecration – or, in Church Slavonic, the renewal – of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem, which took place in the year 335. This majestic cathedral, founded by the Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine the Great, is known throughout the world as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

According to church tradition, the feast of the dedication of the Church of the Resurrection is celebrated with the Paschal rite. From the Life-Giving Tomb of the Lord, the light of the Resurrection of the Savior shone forth over the whole world – from the Holy City of Jerusalem, the Good News of the victory of Life over death spread to all countries and nations.

And in every age, each Christian – amid life’s difficulties and trials, sorrows and hardships – puts their trust in Christ, Who ‘died and came to life, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living’ (Romans 14:9).

Today’s feast reminds us of that inner spiritual renewal to which the Lord calls us. The Gospel miracle of Christ’s triumph over death is a call to every person to begin a new life – to rise together with the Risen Savior by faith in the power of God (cf. Col. 2:12).”

– from the homily of Metropolitan Alexander

Video recording of the service was carried out by the Orthodox studio Semirechye (Director – Honored Cultural Worker V. Posadneva, Cameraman – A. Schmidt).

Photography – A. Khalin.