Metropolitan Alexander Holds Meeting on the Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Uncovering of the Relics of the Venerable Martyrs Seraphim and Theognostus of Alma-Ata and the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of the Seraphim–Theognostus Men’s Hermit

13 February 2026 – Alma-Ata. At the Administrative and Spiritual-Cultural Center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, held a working meeting.

The main topic of the gathering was preparation for the celebration of spiritually significant dates to be observed this year – the 25th anniversary of the uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Martyrs Seraphim and Theognostus of Alma-Ata and the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Seraphim–Theognostus Men’s Hermitage in the Aksai Gorge – the place of monastic labors and the martyrdom of the heavenly patrons of the Southern Capital and Semirechye.

Taking part in the meeting were: the Administrator of the Metropolitan District, Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen; the Vicar of the Astana Diocese, Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan; the Secretary of the Metropolitan District, Honored Worker of Arts of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov; the Rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral and Dean of the parishes of the Alma-Ata Church District, Archpriest Valery Zakharov; the Keykeeper of the Ascension Cathedral and Head of the Metropolitan District’s Department for Public Relations, Archpriest Alexander Suvorov; the Rector of the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary and Head of the Information and Publishing Department of the Metropolitan District, Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov; the Abbot of the Seraphim–Theognostus Aksai Men’s Hermitage, Hegumen Tryphon (Pechkovsky); the Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov; the Head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Service, Protodeacon Roman Golovin; and staff members of the Alma-Ata Diocesan Administration.

During the meeting, a preliminary list of events was outlined, to be held both in anticipation of the jubilees and within the framework of their celebration.

Metropolitan Alexander noted that the careful preservation of the memory of every ascetic of piety who by his labors contributed to the spread of Gospel truth, and of every martyr who gave his life for Christ, is a sacred duty of an Orthodox Christian. “It is not they who need us – our praises and prayers – but we who stand in need of their daily help and support,” the hierarch emphasized.

The center of the jubilee celebrations will be the Seraphim–Theognostus Men’s Hermitage, where festive divine services will be celebrated with the participation of hierarchs of Kazakhstan.

The program also includes the organization of a photo exhibition recounting the history and life of the monastery, the creation of a documentary film, the holding of a conference, and a number of other spiritual-educational, youth, and cultural events.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Head of the Metropolitan District thanked everyone for their labors and gave appropriate instructions to the clergy and diocesan staff.