Commemorations of the Holy Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Heavenly Powers. Metropolitan Alexander presided over the spiritual celebrations marking the 125th anniversary of the Church of the Archangel Michael in the city of Kaskelen

On 21 November 2025, the feast of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Heavenly Powers was celebrated.

In the city of Kaskelen, festivities took place to mark the 125th anniversary of the completion and consecration of one of the oldest churches of the Almaty Diocese – the Church of the Archangel Michael.

On the occasion of this historic date and the patronal feast, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Archangel Michael.

Concelebrating with the archpastor were the following clergy: Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, vicar of the Astana Diocese; Bishop Vianor of Uralsk and Atyrau; Dean of the Almaty churches and rector of St Nicholas Cathedral Archpriest Valery Zakharov; Rector of the Almaty Church of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” Archpriest Evgeny Vorobyev; Dean of the Uzun-Agash Church District and rector of the Kazan Church in the village of Uzun-Agash Archpriest Gennady Kadnikov; Rector of the Spaso-Siluanov Issyk Hermitage Igumen Nazary (Markov); Rector of the Almaty Theological Seminary and head of the Information and Publishing Department of the Metropolitan District Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov; member of the Patriarchal Commission on Physical Culture and Sport and cleric of the Ascension Cathedral of the Southern Capital Igumen Philipp (Moiseev); Rector of the Church of the Archangel Michael Archpriest Pavel Pridatchenko; head of the Metropolitan’s personal secretariat Hieromonk Prokhor (Yendovitsky); head of the administrative secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District Priest Georgy Sidorov; sacristan of the Dormition Cathedral in Atyrau Hieromonk Varfolomey (Mostovshchikov); Priest Roman Kravchenko; Chief of Protocol of the Metropolitan Protodeacon Roman Golovin; Protodeacon Vladimir Syrovatsky; Deacon Rustik Yakupov; Deacon Daniil Pasyuk.

Praying at the service were: Secretary of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation, choir director of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Russian Church Singing O. N. Ovchinnikov; President of the public charitable foundation “Eleos-Meirim” V. M. Kapsamun; benefactors and parishioners of the church; Orthodox residents of Kaskelen and faithful from the surrounding settlements.

A guest of honour at the celebration was the akim of Kaskelen A. O. Mukashev.

The liturgical hymns were sung by the men’s choir of the Almaty Diocese under the direction of Deacon Alexander Piven.

At the memorial litany special prayers were offered for the departed builders and adorners of the Church of the Archangel Michael, for the restorers of liturgical life, for the departed clergy and parishioners; and for Orthodox Christians who “in the time of fierce persecutions were tortured and slain by the godless, who died from hunger, cold, wounds, sickness, and unbearable labours”.

The sermon after the Communion verse was delivered by Archpriest Valery Zakharov.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy the glorification of the Bodiless Heavenly Hosts took place.

Metropolitan Alexander congratulated Bishop Vianor of Uralsk and Atyrau – who before his episcopal consecration served as rector of the Church of the Archangel Michael – Dean of the Uzun-Agash Church District Archpriest Gennady Kadnikov, current rector Archpriest Pavel Pridatchenko, the clergy, monastics and parishioners on this significant event in the spiritual life of Kaskelen – the 125th anniversary of the completion and consecration of the Church of the Archangel Michael – as well as on the patronal celebration. He then expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who by their prayer, sacrificial giving or personal participation have assisted and continue to assist the life of the parish.

As a commemorative gift the Head of the Metropolitan District presented the church with the icon “Christ the Great High Priest”.

The protodeacon proclaimed the Polychronion to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus; to the Head, hierarchs, clergy and faithful of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District; to the President of the country, the authorities, the armed forces and all the people of Kazakhstan; to the founders, benefactors, adorners and parishioners of the Church of the Archangel Michael.

With words of congratulation the akim of Kaskelen A. O. Mukashev addressed the assembled faithful. Metropolitan Alexander expressed sincere gratitude to the head of the city.

In recognition of his labours for the benefit of the Church of the Archangel Michael, His Eminence bestowed upon Rector Archpriest Pavel Pridatchenko the Order of the Holy Hieromartyr Pimen, Bishop of Verny and Semirechye.

Founders, benefactors and active participants in the parish life were awarded the orders and medals of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan.

Bishop Vianor of Uralsk and Atyrau warmly thanked Metropolitan Alexander for his archpastoral visit, his participation in the celebrations dedicated to the commemorative date, and his care for the life of the Church of the Archangel Michael.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan congratulated his subdeacon Mikhail Kalmykov on his name day and wished him the mercy of God, spiritual and physical strength, and diligent service to the Church of Christ.

“Blessed is the person who lives near the temple of God. He lives close to Heaven, close to Paradise, close to salvation,” says St Ignatius (Brianchaninov). Orthodox Christians at all times have not imagined their life without a church. Both majestic metropolitan cathedrals and small rural churches have always been for the believing heart a “Heaven on earth”, reminding of eternity and giving consolation and comfort. This year marks 125 years since the completion and consecration of this historic church in Kaskelen – the Church of the Holy Archangel Michael. Today the Church of the Archangel Michael is one of the symbols of the renewal of church life on the Kazakh land and a monument to the courage of the clergy and faithful of the twentieth century who boldly confessed the truth of God in the face of militant atheism. The history of every church is precious and instructive for a Christian soul. This church lived through the troubled decades of the godless twentieth century, and to this day remains a source of grace-filled light for the city of Kaskelen and for our entire country.

Today we also prayerfully celebrate the feast of the Archangel Michael and all the Bodiless Heavenly Powers – the patronal feast of the Church of the Archangel Michael. On this day we honour and especially glorify all the good angels – the incorporeal servants of the Lord and our beneficent helpers on the paths of salvation. Not only today is dedicated to the memory of the angelic hosts. Monday of each week is appointed by the Church of Christ for the glorification of the Bodiless Heavenly Powers. As we know from the Biblical texts and Sacred Tradition, the Angels of God, fulfilling the will of the Creator, have care over the various parts of the universe, over natural phenomena, over peoples and nations. Everyone who performs the daily rule of morning and evening prayer knows that among these prayers is a special supplication to the heavenly protector – the Guardian Angel. Let us strive not to forget in our daily life, in our labours and concerns, as often as possible to call upon our heavenly intercessor, our advocate before the Lord God, our Guardian Angel, addressing him with the brief invocation: “Holy Angel of God, my Guardian, pray to God for me.”

From the homily of Metropolitan Alexander.