Crosses Installed on the Newly Built Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Village of Malovodnoye

October 20, 2025. Malovodnoye (Baidibek bi), Almaty Region. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, crosses were installed on the newly built church dedicated to the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The rite of the blessing of the dome crosses was performed by Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, Vicar of the Astana Diocese.

Praying during the service were: the rector of the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos, Archpriest Nikolai Tkachenko; Assistant Sacristan of the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty, Priest Andrey Shklyar; Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov; Head of the Metropolitan Protocol Service, Protodeacon Roman Golovin; clergy of the Issyk and Talgar Deaneries.

The spiritual event was attended by the curator and organizer of the church construction, President of the public foundation Eleos-Meirim, V.M. Kapsamun.

After the appointed prayers, the archpastor sprinkled the crosses with holy water. To the singing of troparia and stichera, they were installed on the main dome and atop the bell tower.

Bishop Klavdian conveyed the blessing of the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan to those present, congratulated the clergy and faithful on this spiritually significant event in the life of the deanery, and expressed his gratitude to the benefactors and builders of the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos.

Orthodox residents of Malovodnoye and nearby villages witnessed the blessing and installation of the crosses upon the domes of the church.

At present, work continues on the interior decoration of the church, and preparations are underway for its Great Consecration.

In a telephone conversation, Metropolitan Alexander, who is currently on a working trip to Moscow, congratulated Bishop Klavdian, Archpriest Nikolai Tkachenko, the clergy, and parishioners on the blessing of the dome crosses, which symbolize the completion of the church construction.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the rector, the ktitors, and to the President of the Eleos-Meirim Foundation, V.M. Kapsamun – to all those who actively participate in the church life of the village of Malovodnoye, who, through their zeal, manifest ‘the work of faith and the labor of love’ (1 Thess. 1:2) and contribute to the spiritual renewal of their native land. May the new church, dedicated to the appearance in the world of the Most Holy Theotokos – the Mother of our Savior – become a true adornment of our land and a visible witness of the power and glory of God, of the maternal Protection of the Queen of Heaven extended over all of us. This church will also be a monument to the courage of the clergy and laity of the 20th century, who boldly confessed Christ in the face of militant atheism. I wish everyone peace and well-being. Do works of mercy and love, and care to build, according to the apostolic word, ‘a temple of the Holy Spirit Who dwells in you, Whom you have from God’ (1 Cor. 6:19),” said Metropolitan Alexander.

The blessing of the cross and the cornerstone for the foundation of the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos took place on May 30, 2023, as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District. The church is being built with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, with the support of the Eleos-Meirim public foundation (President – V.M. Kapsamun), using funds from benefactors and voluntary donations from the faithful.