On May 18, 2026, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan marks the 69th anniversary of his birth. Members of the Synod of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District extend their congratulations to the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan:
To His Eminence, the Most Reverend Alexander, Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan, Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church
Your Eminence, Most Reverend Vladyka!
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Today is a special celebration for you – with fervent prayer and the offering of the Bloodless Sacrifice “for all and on behalf of all,” you mark your birthday, giving thanks to the Creator and Providence-Giver for the years of life granted to you and for the joy of earthly existence. The hierarchs and clergy, monastics and laity of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District respectfully offer you words of congratulations and good wishes; all your numerous flock prays for you – a wise Primate and loving father.
From your youth you embarked upon the path of service to God, and now, beholding the fruits of your labors, one cannot but marvel at how richly the Lord has endowed you with various talents, abilities, and gifts. In your life there has been and remains nothing more important or precious than the opportunity to serve Christ and His Holy Church. Love for native Orthodoxy gives you strength for the patient and humble bearing of the archpastoral cross. The Lord, Who cares for His Church, through you and your decisions manifests His mercies, by which the faith of our fathers is established upon the land of Kazakhstan.
Once, in the distant year of 1872, upon ascending the newly established Turkestan see, your greatly venerated predecessor – Archbishop Sophronius (Sokolsky) – addressed his flock with these words: “At the head of my spiritual communion with you I place the prayerful invocation of God’s grace, peace, and blessing.” Like the apostle of the Great Steppe, you likewise ask of the Lord for all of us His greatest and blessed gifts – grace, peace, and mercy.
You were born on the feast of the glorification of the wonderworking icon of the Queen of Heaven, “The Inexhaustible Chalice.” In this one may discern a special sign of the Most Holy Theotokos’ care for you throughout your life’s path. May the Lord, Risen on the Third Day, through her maternal intercession, ever strengthen you spiritually and physically in the podvig of your self-sacrificial ministry as Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, bless all your labors and undertakings, and grant you many years.
TRULY CHRIST IS RISEN!
With reverent love in Christ Risen,
Archbishop Barnabas of Pavlodar and Ekibastuz
Archbishop Sebastian of Karaganda and Shakhtinsk
Archbishop Amphilochius of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk
Archbishop Barsanuphius of Kokshetau and Akmola
Archbishop Vladimir of Petropavlovsk and Bulaevo
Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen,
Administrator of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District
Bishop Ignatius of Aktobe and Kyzylorda
Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan, Vicar of the Astana Diocese
Bishop Chrysanf of Chimkent and Turkestan
Bishop Benjamin of Talgar, Vicar of the Astana Diocese
Bishop Vianor of Uralsk and Atyrau
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