The Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District Congratulated His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ on the Anniversary of His Enthronement

February 1, 2026 – the 17th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’.

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan sent a congratulatory address to the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church:

Your Holiness, Most Holy Hierarch!

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the anniversary of Your Patriarchal enthronement.

By the will of the Holy Spirit and through the conciliar election of the Russian Orthodox Church, You have been elevated to the lampstand of the Primates of Moscow.

Turning the hearts of people to “the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9), bearing witness in word and deed to the eternal truths of the Holy Gospel, You set an inspiring example of tireless care for the good of the Mother Church, exceptional diligence, and spiritual fortitude. Devoting all Your strength and gifts to the service of the Holy Church, You lead the flock entrusted to You by Christ to the harbor of salvation – the Kingdom of Heaven. Through Your efforts, church–state and interreligious dialogues are developing successfully; significant is Your contribution to the unity of Orthodox peoples, the defense of global Orthodoxy, and the affirmation of enduring spiritual and moral values in contemporary society.

Fulfilling Your Primatial ministry, Your Holiness, You zealously and reverently “proclaim day by day the salvation of our God” (Ps. 95:2).

Hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and lay faithful who serve under Your Patriarchal guidance see before them a vivid example of a life wholly dedicated to God. On this commemorative day, Your Kazakhstani flock, with one mouth and one heart, offers fervent prayers to the Lord of Hosts for Your good health and well-being, that He may grant You many years to proclaim the Gospel of “the Kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1).

Through the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and the prayers of all the saints who have shone forth in the land of Kazakhstan, may the All-Merciful Lord grant You His gracious assistance in bearing the many-labored and responsible Patriarchal ministry for the good of the Russian Orthodox Church.