Leave-Taking of the Feast of Holy Pascha. Metropolitan Alexander Celebrates the Liturgy at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral in Alma-Ata

May 20, 2026 – the Leave-Taking of the Feast of Holy Pascha.

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Divine Liturgy according to the Paschal rite at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in the city of Alma-Ata.

Concelebrating with the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan were: Archbishop Amphilochius of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk; Vicar of the Astana Diocese Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan; Dean of the churches of the Southern Capital and rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral Archpriest Valery Zakharov; Archimandrite Gerontius (Borisevich); rector of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Alma-Ata Archpriest Evgeny Vorobyev; Head of the Diocesan Department for the Canonization of Saints Archimandrite Joseph (Eremenko); dean of the Nativity of Christ Cathedral Archpriest Alexander Gaichenya; rector of the Theophany Church Archpriest Valery Shavrin; dean of the Ili ecclesiastical district Archpriest Alexander Zyryanov; personal secretary to the Head of the Metropolitan District Hieromonk Dimitry (Baidek); dean of the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul Archpriest Kirill Shklyar; Hegumen Onisim (Tulnikov); rector of the Nativity of the Theotokos Church in the Akzhar district Hieromonk Alexy (Cherevtsov); head of the Metropolitan’s secretariat Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky); head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District Priest Georgy Sidorov; Priest Dimitry Rezhepa; Priest Nikolai Matlashov; rector of Kazan Cathedral in Alma-Ata Priest Georgy Rublinsky; dean of the Church of Saints Adrian and Natalia Priest Ioann Konoplev; Protodeacon Nikolai Grinkevich; head of the Metropolitan’s protocol service Protodeacon Roman Golovin; Protodeacon Vladimir Syrovatsky; Protodeacon Sergiy Kulikov; secretary of the Ust-Kamenogorsk Diocese Deacon Ilya Kvan; chief physician of the Orthodox Medical Center of St. Luke (Voyno-Yasenetsky) Deacon Alexander Dzhodzhua; Deacon Rustik Yakupov; and Deacon Georgy Tkachenko.

Praying at the service were members of the Society of Orthodox Physicians of Kazakhstan, staff of the St. Luke Medical Center, employees of the Alma-Ata Diocesan Administration, and parishioners of the church.

The choir of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Alma-Ata, under the direction of E. Skorova, sang the liturgical hymns.

The sermon after the Communion verse was delivered by the dean of Kazan Cathedral in Alma-Ata, Priest Georgy Rublinsky.

Following the dismissal of the Liturgy, the glorification of the Bright Resurrection of Christ took place, after which Metropolitan Alexander proclaimed “Christ is Risen!” in various ancient and modern languages.

The Head of the Metropolitan District congratulated the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful on the Leave-Taking of Holy Pascha and delivered a homily.

In recognition of his labors for the benefit of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and in connection with his 60th birthday, the Metropolitan awarded the Order “Enbek Ushin” (“For Labors”) to the dean of the Nativity of Christ Cathedral, Archpriest Alexander Gaichenya. The hierarch wished Father Dean strength of soul and body, zeal, and God’s help in his pastoral ministry.

“The Paschal celebration, observed by us during the forty days following the Bright Resurrection of Christ, opens before us the highest meaning of human life – communion with that Truth of which the Savior Himself proclaims: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life’ (John 14:6). The guardian and interpreter of the fullness of Divine Revelation is the Church. She regenerates, strengthens, and spiritually nourishes; she is our only sure guide on the path to moral perfection and true happiness possible for man on earth. Two millennia of the history of Christ’s Church bear witness to the fulfillment of the promise given by her Divine Founder: ‘I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it’ (Matt. 16:18). Let us then be devoted to Christ not only in words, but in concrete deeds: remaining faithful to Mother Church, striving to ‘have love among yourselves’ (John 13:35), encouraging our neighbors and bearing with their weaknesses. Let us strive not only within the walls of the church, but also in daily life to be pious and merciful, compassionate and long-suffering, ready for diligent proclamation of Divine Truth in the calling in which we were called (1 Cor. 7:20) by the Creator and Providence-Giver of the world. On the path of Christian struggle, difficulties and sorrows are inevitable, but let us remember the bold and encouraging words of the Apostle Paul: ‘I can do all things through Jesus Christ Who strengthens me’ (Phil. 4:13). The grace of the Lord’s Pascha is an inexhaustible source of salvation for man and for the whole world in all times and for all generations. The Resurrection of Christ possesses the same power and significance both for His contemporaries and for us – those who glorify Him twenty centuries later.”

From the homily of Metropolitan Alexander.