Bishop Ignaty consecrates the church in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Unburnt Bush” for a newly formed women’s monastic community

15 November 2025. Baikonur. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the solemn opening of the episcopal metochion and the minor consecration of the restored church in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Unburnt Bush” for the newly formed women’s monastic community took place.

With the blessing of Bishop Ignaty of Aktobe and Kyzylorda, and with the assistance of the head of the Baikonur city administration K.D. Busygin, a complete reconstruction of the church building was carried out over the course of the year – the walls and vaults of the church were repaired, new window frames were installed, the flooring was replaced, the heating system and electrical wiring were renewed, and the surrounding territory was improved.

Before the rite of consecration, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated, led by Bishop Ignaty.

Praying at the service: head of the Baikonur city administration K.D. Busygin, abbess of the Iveron Convent of the city of Orsk Igumenia Xenia (Pashkova) with the sisters of the monastery (Orsk Diocese), acting rector of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious of Baikonur Priest Daniil Ivashinin, benefactors and parishioners of the church, and staff of the Aktobe Diocesan Administration.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the ruling bishop of the Aktobe Diocese performed the rite of the minor consecration of the restored church in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Unburnt Bush” and of the episcopal metochion, where the cells of the newly formed women’s monastic community are located.

At the end of the service, Bishop Ignaty congratulated the clergy, the faithful, and the representatives of the authorities on the significant event in the spiritual life of the city – the establishment of the monastic community. He then thanked all those who, through prayer, donations, or personal participation, contributed to the restoration of the church dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “The Unburnt Bush.”

The hierarch awarded the head of the Baikonur city administration K.D. Busygin the Order “For Services to the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan,” expressing gratitude for his active involvement in the restoration of the church. In his response, Konstantin Dmitrievich congratulated those gathered on the momentous occasion and wished the sisters of the new monastic community success in their good undertakings.

His Grace then presented the awards of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District to those who labored in the restoration of the church dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “The Unburnt Bush.”

Abbess Xenia of the Iveron Women’s Monastery of Orsk addressed the gathered faithful and the sisters of the new monastic community with words of congratulations. As a gift to the community, Mother Igumenia presented an icon of the Iveron Mother of God, specially painted by the craftsmen of the women’s monastery of the same name in the city of Orsk.