Archpriest Valeriy Zakharov Prayerfully Marks His 75th Birthday

June 8, 2026, the beginning of the Apostles’ Fast and the commemoration of the Apostles of the Seventy, Carpus and Alphaeus, Dean of the churches of the Southern Capital and rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral, Archpriest Valeriy Zakharov, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Church in the city of Almaty.

On this day, the dean marked the 75th anniversary of his birth.

Concelebrating with the rector were clergy of St. Nicholas Church: Archpriest Vladimir Volkov and Deacon Ioann Churkin.

Praying during the Divine Liturgy were: keyholder of St. Nicholas Cathedral Archpriest Igor Svetlichny; Vice-Rector for Educational Work of the Almaty Theological Seminary Priest Ioann Livinsky; cleric of St. Nicholas Cathedral Priest Oleg Nasymov; cleric of St. Nicholas Cathedral, head of the Church-Practical Department of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary and сотрудник of the Information and Publishing Department of the Metropolitan District Priest Vladislav Pashkov; teachers and pupils of the Central Sunday School of the Southern Capital led by director G.V. Cherepanova; employees of the Almaty Diocesan Administration, representatives of the Orthodox charitable service “Mercy,” and parishioners of the cathedral.

The ordinary choir of St. Nicholas Cathedral, directed by O. Solomonova, sang during the service.

Prayers for the health of the rector of St. Nicholas Church, Archpriest Valeriy, were offered during the Divine Liturgy.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Archpriest Igor Svetlichny congratulated the dean on behalf of the clergy of the church. In his congratulatory address, Father Igor wished Archpriest Valeriy strength of soul and body and fruitful continuation of his responsible ministry to the Church of Christ.

On behalf of the faculty and students of the Almaty Theological School, Vice-Rector for Educational Work Priest Ioann Livinsky offered words of congratulations to the honored pastor and presented the rector with a gift edition of the Gospel in Church Slavonic.

A solemn Many Years was then proclaimed.

Archpriest Valeriy Zakharov thanked the clergy and laity for their well wishes and addressed the faithful with a sermon, congratulating them on the beginning of the Apostles’ Fast.

During a telephone conversation, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan congratulated the dean on his 75th birthday and wished him health, long life, and God’s help in the continued fulfillment of his pastoral labors for the benefit of the Holy Church on the land of Semirechye.