The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross – Anniversary of the Episcopal Consecration of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan

On September 27 – the Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord – the anniversary of the episcopal consecration of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan is celebrated.

In 1989, at the Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhovo, Moscow, Archimandrite Alexander (Mogilev) was consecrated Bishop of Kostroma and Galich. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Rus’ († May 3, 1990), the episcopal consecration was led by the ever-memorable Metropolitan Vladimir of Rostov and Novocherkassk († July 5, 2014) – later Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The consecration was concelebrated by Archbishop Valentin of Vladimir and Suzdal (later Metropolitan of Orenburg and Buzuluk, now retired), Archbishop Isidor of Krasnodar and Kuban († August 8, 2020) (later Metropolitan of Yekaterinodar and Kuban), the ever-memorable Archbishop Chrysanf of Kirov and Sloboda († January 4, 2011) (later Metropolitan of Vyatka and Sloboda), Bishop Viktor of Kalinin and Kashin (later Metropolitan of Tver and Kashin, now retired), Bishop Sergiy of Azov (later Metropolitan of Samara and Novokuibyshevsk, now retired), and Bishop Niphon of Philippopolis, representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ (now Metropolitan of Philippopolis).

The episcopate of Kazakhstan, the secretary and heads of departments and commissions of the Metropolitan District, clergy, monastics, and laity of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan extend their heartfelt congratulations to His Eminence Metropolitan Alexander on the anniversary of his episcopal consecration and prayerfully wish him the mercies of the Most Generous Lord, health, strength of soul and body, and the grace-filled help of God in carrying out his high and responsible archpastoral ministry in the Republic of Kazakhstan for the benefit of the Church of Christ.

Address of Archimandrite Alexander (Mogilev) following his nomination as Bishop of Kostroma and Galich – September 26, 1989

“Your Eminence, God-wise archpastors!

By the will of God and the decision of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Rus’ and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, I, the unworthy Archimandrite Alexander, have been appointed Bishop of the God-protected cities of Kostroma and Galich. The height and responsibility of episcopal ministry are made known through the Word of God and the writings of the holy fathers.

The episcopacy is an apostolic ministry – a ministry to the Church, which Christ purchased with His own Blood. A bishop is the head celebrant, spiritual father, and teacher of the flock entrusted to him by the Lord. To be a bishop means to be first in prayer, service, love, and responsibility before God not only for oneself, but for the flock and the clergy – to be an example to the faithful in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Tim. 4:12), to be all things to all men (1 Cor. 9:22).

As I ponder the forthcoming high service in the Church, I am filled with involuntary trembling, for even to be worthy of the name “Christian” is a most difficult labor for one who believes in the Son of God – all the more so to walk worthily of the highest rank of bishop.

Standing with my conscience before the righteousness of God, I confess before you, Christ’s hierarchs, that I am a weak, sinful, and frail man. Where shall I draw the strength needed to bear the burden of episcopacy? In my soul resounds the voice of the Psalmist: Commit thy way unto the Lord – trust also in Him – and He shall bring it to pass (Ps. 36:5). I am comforted by the words of the apostle to the Gentiles, the divine Paul: The power of God is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9), and our sufficiency is from God (2 Cor. 3:5).

Recalling the years past, I am convinced of the firm guidance of Divine Providence. The Lord opened to me the joy of faith in early youth. At age 18 I entered the Leningrad Theological Seminary. There I became senior subdeacon to the late Archbishop Meliton (Solovyov) of Tikhvin, who from our first meeting until his repose was my spiritual father and guide – an example of genuine humility, obedience, and devotion to the will of God. How much I owe him! May the Lord grant rest to the soul of the ever-memorable Archbishop Meliton in His Kingdom.

It was the Lord’s will that, starting in my second year at the Theological Academy, my church obedience be carried out in my native city of Kirov (Vyatka) under the omophorion of Bishop Chrysanf of Kirov and Sloboda. From his hands I received the ordinations of deacon and priest. I served as his secretary and rector of the Cathedral of St. Seraphim, always striving to fulfill my obediences with diligence. Today I thank you from the heart, my benefactor – the archpastor of the Vyatka land. I rejoice that your hands will be laid upon my head for the third time in the calling down of the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Christ’s hierarchs! The Lord has called you to revive me spiritually and to appoint me to the highest ministry in the Church of God. Today, Orthodoxy in our country is living through a special time – a time of spiritual renewal: new churches, monasteries, and theological schools are opening. All are eagerly awaiting a new Law on Freedom of Conscience with legal guarantees for believers.

All this requires every servant of God to approach his duties creatively – to proclaim the truth of Christ without laziness, to be a pillar of faith in Christ, a reliable support to the faithful, an adornment of the Church – to stand firmly in fidelity to apostolic and patristic teaching.

I thank my God, glorified and worshiped in the Trinity – I turn to the intercession of the All-Pure Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary – I invoke the prayers of my heavenly patrons, the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky and St. Alexander of Svir – I turn to the heavenly aid of St. Alexis of Moscow, whose relics rest in this patriarchal cathedral – I trust in the prayers of the Synaxis of Saints who shone forth in the land of Kostroma.

May the Lord strengthen me in this new service: The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? (Ps. 26:1).

I sincerely and filially thank the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Pimen, for the high trust shown to me, the unworthy one. And now, having with trembling confessed my unworthiness and sins, I bow my head before the will of God and the decision of the Holy Synod, and I ask the holy prayers of the archpastors and the people of God here present. Amen.”

Address of Metropolitan Vladimir of Rostov and Novocherkassk at the Presentation of the Pastoral Staff to the Newly Consecrated Bishop Alexander of Kostroma and Galich – September 27, 1989

“Right Reverend Bishop Alexander, beloved brother in Christ!

By the calling of God, the election of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Rus’, and the Holy Synod, you have now received the lot (Acts 1:25) of the highest ministry in Christ’s Church – and by the grace of God, through the laying on of the hands of bishops, you have been consecrated to it. Now you stand before us in fear and trembling, prepared to receive the episcopal staff.

According to ecclesiastical order, I must now offer you a word of instruction, encouragement, and consolation in the great ministry that lies before you in the rank of bishop.

First of all – give thanks to the Lord of Providence, who has made you a guide of human souls and a helmsman of Christ’s vessel.

You are called to carry out your ministry in the land of Kostroma. The flock entrusted to your leadership will demand much labor with love – and love with patience. Be an example in all things. Believe fervently and tenderly – pray sincerely – serve zealously. Preserve the sacred canons of the Holy Councils and the thousand-year tradition of our Church firmly and immovably. Do not bend to the spirit of the times.

Church life is built on its internal foundation, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11). Here there is no place for spiritual instability, sinful decay, or temptation. Here is the place for the labors of love, purity, abstinence, and evangelization.

You enter the administration of the diocese at a special time of spiritual renewal in our society – a time of deep repentance – a return to the faith of our forefathers, the history of our homeland, and its centuries-old culture. Many, being caught up in general movements, do not fully accept the depth of the Gospel of Christ – they are content with fine words and outward attributes, adapting the holy to the vanity of everyday life. Do not indulge such – be faithful to the teaching of God down to the last jot and tittle of the law (Matt. 5:18). In this is our strength – the strength of the Church of Christ – in fidelity, conviction, and unshakable resolve. Seek not the glory of men – but the glory of God alone (John 5:44).

Be a good shepherd – always ready to lay down your life for the sheep (John 10:11). Strengthen yourself in these thoughts – prepare yourself worthily for the accomplishment of sacred acts – for the work of ministry – for the edification of the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:12).

Be accessible to people – patient with the weaknesses of the clergy subject to you. Be slow to exercise your authority – to punish – to prohibit. Zeal in any matter is dangerous – all the more when it concerns the salvation of a soul. Strive to admonish – to shame – to soften the hearts of those who have erred. Let sincere repentance meet merciful and healing love.

Let your heart not be troubled if your good intentions do not at once bear the desired fruit. Our task is to labor within the limits of our strength – and to attribute the success of our labors not to ourselves, but to the grace of God. I planted – says the holy Apostle Paul – Apollos watered – but God gave the increase – so then neither he who plants is anything – nor he who waters – but God who gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:6–7).

In your humility, you confessed yesterday your weakness and fear before the height of your new ministry.

Step onto this path with hope in God’s help – and drive away the specter of fear with the power of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.

May the protection of the Most Holy Theotokos and the intercession of the saints who have shone forth in the land of Kostroma be your support and aid in your coming ecclesiastical labor.

Now receive this staff as an outward sign of your ministry – ascend the episcopal throne – and bestow your blessing upon the people of God who now pray with you and for you.”