Metropolitan Alexander Consecrates the Dome Crosses of the Cosmas and Damian Church Under Construction in Alma-Ata

July 14, 2026 — the feast day of the Holy Unmercenary Healers Cosmas and Damian of Rome.

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian currently under construction in Alma-Ata. Upon his arrival, the hierarch celebrated a moleben to the Holy Unmercenary Saints and consecrated the newly crafted crosses that will crown the church domes.

The Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian is being built in the Southern Capital through the generosity of benefactors and donations from the faithful, with the active support and participation of the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation, headed by its president, Valery Mikhailovich Kapsamun.

Praying during the rite of consecration were: Archpriest Evgeny Vorobyov, rector of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow in Alma-Ata; Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov, Rector of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary and Head of the Information and Publishing Department of the Metropolitan District; Hieromonk Dimitry (Baidek), Secretary to the Head of the Metropolitan District; Priest Andrey Shklyar, rector of the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian; Hieromonk Prokhor (Yendovitsky), Head of the Metropolitan’s Secretariat; Priest Georgy Sidorov, Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District; Priest Bogdan Boyko; Protodeacon Roman Golovin, Head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Service; and Protodeacon Vladimir Syrovatsky.

Also present were parishioners and benefactors of the parish, specialists responsible for the construction work, and staff members of the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation.

The liturgical hymns were sung by the Men’s Choir of the Alma-Ata Diocese under the direction of Deacon Alexander Piven.

Before the service began, the Metropolitan greeted the clergy and faithful and addressed those gathered with a reflection on the significance of the church in the life of an Orthodox Christian.

“It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the church, which the Holy Fathers and Teachers of the Church called ‘Heaven on Earth,’ in the life of an Orthodox Christian. Within its walls the Most Holy Eucharist is celebrated—the unbloody Sacrifice is offered ‘for the life of the world’ (John 6:51). Here, by listening to the divine services and participating in the saving Mysteries, people are spiritually transformed and strengthened in their love for God and their neighbor. They receive the grace-filled strength to struggle against evil and grow in virtue, and they are instructed in the sublime truth of the Gospel. In God’s house the human soul, wearied by the cares of daily life, finds peace. Here the Savior Himself invites us: ‘Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28).

I would also like to recall the profound words of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’: ‘Whoever builds churches enters history—not only human history. The names of such people are recorded in a special way in the Book of Life.’ At every Divine Liturgy prayers are offered for the builders, benefactors, and adorners of churches, and the memory is preserved of all who have served and prayed within their sacred walls. The noble labors of those who work and the generous support of benefactors will never be forgotten by God.”

After reading the prayers of consecration, the Head of the Metropolitan District sprinkled the newly made crosses with holy water.

At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Alexander reminded those present of the significance of the Cross:

“The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is rightly called the Altar of God’s love and the instrument of our salvation. From the apostolic age to the present day, the Wood of the Cross has remained an object of the deepest veneration and worship for all who truly believe in the Gospel. Today we have become participants in a spiritually significant event—the consecration of the crosses that will crown the church dedicated to the Holy Unmercenary Wonderworkers Cosmas and Damian. Together with the other crosses rising above the cathedrals and churches of Alma-Ata, these crosses will sanctify our city, our region, and our country with the grace of Christ. They will protect us from every misfortune and calamity and will continually remind all people of God’s boundless love for humanity.”

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan expressed his gratitude to the principal benefactor and all those who supported the project. He also warmly thanked the parish rector, Priest Andrey Shklyar, and the construction coordinator, Valery Mikhailovich Kapsamun, for their dedicated labors.