Episcopal Ministry of the Vicars of the Astana Diocese on the 17th Sunday after Pentecost

October 5, 2025, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, the commemoration day of the Prophet Jonah and the Holy Hieromartyr Benjamin, Bishop of Uralsk — by the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the vicars of the Astana Diocese celebrated the Sunday divine services in the churches of the Southern capital.

The Chancellor of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, celebrated the Liturgy at the Ascension Cathedral of Almaty.

Concelebrating with the archpastor were: Archimandrite Ioann (Sazonov), spiritual father of the Almaty Diocese; Archpriest Alexander Suvorov, sacristan of the cathedral and head of the Public Relations Department of the Metropolis; Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky), head of the personal secretariat of the Metropolitan; Protodeacon Nikolai Grinkevich; Hierodeacon Sophonius (Mazurenko); Deacon Ioann Zhuchkov; and Deacon Georgy Tkachenko.

The hymns of the Liturgy were sung by the choir of the Ascension Cathedral under the direction of E. Boguslavets.

At the conclusion of the service, Bishop Gennady thanked the clergy and the faithful for the common prayer and addressed the congregation with words of spiritual instruction.

Vicar Bishop of the Astana Diocese, Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, celebrated the Liturgy at the Taldykorgan Vicariate Representation — the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Alatau district of Almaty.

Concelebrating with the hierarch were: Archpriest Vladimir Glukhikh, Priest Nikolai Matlashov, and Hierodeacon Veniamin (Vdovin).

The choir of the Annunciation Church sang under the direction of A. Averyanova.

Praying at the service were Orthodox residents of the Alatau district and believers from nearby settlements.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Bishop Klavdian congratulated the faithful on the Sunday and delivered a homily.

Vicar Bishop of the Astana Diocese, Bishop Veniamin of Talgar, celebrated the Liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the Karasu district of Almaty.

His Grace was concelebrated by: Priest Roman Burdukov, sacristan of the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, and Deacon Pavel Kornienko.

The hymns of the Liturgy were performed by the choir of the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross under the direction of N. Burdukova.

The archpastor offered prayers for the increase of love and the eradication of all hatred and malice.

At the conclusion of the service, Bishop Veniamin congratulated the faithful on the feast of the “Little Pascha” the Sunday and delivered a word of exhortation.