On January 18, 2026, on the eve of the Holy Theophany, the Baptism of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the festive All-Night Vigil at the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty.
Concelebrating with the Head of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan was the clergy of the Ascension Cathedral.
The festal hymns were performed by the choir of the Metropolitan District under the direction of Honored Artist of Russia and member of the Patriarchal Church and Public Council for the Development of Church Singing, O. N. Ovchinnikov, and by the choir of the Ascension Cathedral under the direction of E. Boguslavets.
According to the Church Typikon, the vigil on the eve of the Theophany is celebrated in the likeness of the Nativity service. The service begins with Great Compline, during which the triumphant hymn of the Prophet Isaiah is sung: “God is with us! Understand, O nations, and submit yourselves, for God is with us!” Compline concludes with the Lity (intensified supplication) and the blessing of bread, wine, wheat, and oil.
At Matins, after the reading of the Gospel passage telling of the Baptism of Christ in the waters of the Jordan by Saint John the Forerunner, Metropolitan Alexander addressed the faithful with an archpastoral word.
During the singing of the Canon of the Theophany, “The Deep has Revealed the Foundation,” the Metropolitan anointed the clergy and the faithful who venerated the icon of the Baptism of the Lord with sanctified oil.
On the night of January 19, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan will celebrate the early Divine Liturgy with the rite of the Great Blessing of Waters at the Ascension Cathedral in the city of Almaty.
The service will begin at 22:30.
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