Metropolitan Alexander Congratulated Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen on the Fifteenth Anniversary of His Episcopal Consecration

October 10, 2025 marked the fifteenth anniversary of the episcopal consecration of Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Vicar of the Astana Diocese and Chancellor of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan.

The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, sent a congratulatory letter to Bishop Gennady, which stated, in part:

“I sincerely congratulate you on the special milestones of your life — the 15th anniversary of your episcopal consecration and the 35th anniversary of your service in the sacred priesthood!

By the will of God — good, acceptable, and perfect (Rom. 12:2) — you were called to the highest hierarchical ministry in the Church of Christ, to which you have devoted many years of your life in selfless service for the benefit of the Church.

You have labored greatly and continue to labor in the field of theological education. By the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, you were appointed to head the Kostroma Theological Seminary and the Almaty Theological School. Carrying out apostolic ministry on the God-preserved land of Kazakhstan, you combine it with many churchwide obediences: leading the Administrative Office of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, representing the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan at various forums and conferences, and participating in the Synodal Commissions on the development of theological education and dialogue with the Coptic Church. You are also actively engaged in academic work and literary writing. Striving to reveal the full richness of the talents given to you by the Creator, you tirelessly bear witness to those near and far about Him Who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

With zeal and devotion to the glory of God, you care for the comprehensive development of diocesan life in the region and for the spiritual and moral growth of your flock. You have been enlightening your contemporaries with the light of Gospel truth, including for many years as author and host of the program Sunday Conversations, which reaches an audience of millions. In every sense, dear Vladyka, the words of Holy Scripture apply to you: ‘You have ordered your life in wisdom and called prudence your mother’ (3 Esdras 13:55).

Your labors have been recognized by numerous ecclesiastical and secular awards. Recently, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia awarded you the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Second Class. I believe it only just that you also be awarded the Order of St. Sophonius, Archbishop of Turkestan and Tashkent, Enlightener of Semirechye.

Dear Bishop Gennady, on the day of your spiritual celebration I prayerfully wish you bodily strength, inner peace, and abundant help from the Lord in your continued service to the Holy Church. May the Lord strengthen and bless you, preserving you in good health for many years to come.”