Metropolitan Alexander Celebrated a Memorial Litia at the Burial Place of Archbishop Sophronius (Sokolsky) – Apostle of the Great Steppe

December 16, 2025. Almaty. Following the Divine Liturgy at St. Sophia Cathedral of the Iversky-Seraphim Convent, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated a memorial litia at the Resurrection Chapel – at the burial place of Archbishop Sophronius (Sokolsky), an outstanding church figure and spiritual enlightener of the 19th century, Apostle of the Great Steppe.

In the concluding year, the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan marks the 225th anniversary of the birth of the first hierarch of the Turkestan Diocese. In honor of this commemorative date, by the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the construction and fresco painting of the Resurrection Chapel were completed. It is there that the venerable remains of the ever-memorable archpastor now rest.

Praying at the service were the vicars of the Astana Diocese – Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Administrator of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, and Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan; the Dean of the churches of Almaty, Rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral Archpriest Valery Zakharov; clergy of the churches of the southern capital; Secretary of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, Choir Director of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Russian Church Singing O.N. Ovchinnikov; Abbess of the Iversky-Seraphim Convent Abbess Lyubov (Yakushkina) with the sisters of the monastery; students of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary, staff of departments and commissions of the Metropolitan District, employees of the Almaty Diocesan Administration; parishioners of Almaty churches and numerous pilgrims.

At the memorial ektenia, special prayers were offered for Archbishop of Turkestan and Tashkent Sophronius (Sokolsky) and his parents – Priest Vasily Sokolsky and his wife Irina Andreevna.

At the conclusion of the rite, the Head of the Metropolitan District laid flowers at the tomb of Archbishop Sophronius and delivered an address in which he recalled the life path of the first hierarch of the Turkestan Diocese and his apostolic labors in Kazakhstan.

“The present year is marked by the 225th anniversary of the birth of the ever-memorable Archbishop Sophronius (Sokolsky) – a prominent church figure and spiritual enlightener of the 19th century, Apostle of the Great Steppe, the first hierarch of the Turkestan Diocese, whose successors today are the Kazakhstan and Central Asian Metropolitan Districts. The Gospel truth was proclaimed on the land of Kazakhstan in the most ancient times, already at the dawn of the Christian era. Many preachers and enlighteners labored here, but the history of the establishment and active development of the Orthodox Church in Central Asia begins precisely with the ministry of Saint Sophronius.

The chief feats crowning the righteous life of the archpastor were accomplished by him while governing the newly established Turkestan Diocese. Forgetting his ailments, not thinking of rest, the elder-hierarch zealously served the Church of Christ until his final breath. Fearlessly he undertook journeys, overcoming vast distances for the sake of enlightening his flock with the word of the Gospel and those nomadic tribes still dwelling in the darkness of pagan superstitions. His Grace Bishop Sophronius may rightly be called a man who was shaping the modern church history of Central Asia. Being highly educated, well-read and erudite in every respect, Bishop Sophronius earned respect in the highest circles, and his profound knowledge of the Qur’an and the Arabic language enabled him to win the goodwill of both Islamic religious leaders and ordinary Muslims. His expressive and wise words and sermons made a powerful impression on people. He was an ascetic of piety, a true ascetic, who desired nothing for himself, living wholly for Christ and His Holy Church. All his time was divided between prayer, fatherly care for his flock and arduous administrative labors. His personality became an example for clergy carrying out church ministry on the southern frontier of Christian civilization.

The image of Saint Sophronius, the example of his self-sacrifice and diligence, possesses immense moral power and bears witness to the truth of the Gospel of Christ. Our sacred duty is to carefully preserve the memory of Bishop Sophronius, who by his labors contributed to the spread of God’s truth on the ancient land of Kazakhstan and gave his life to the service of the Holy Church. Eternal and grateful memory to Archbishop of Turkestan and Tashkent Sophronius – ascetic of piety, preacher of truth, zealous laborer in the vineyard of Christ, Apostle of the Great Steppe and Semirechye.” From the homily of Metropolitan Alexander.