The Commemoration of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers Prayerfully Observed at the Representation of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District in Moscow

July 17, 2026 – the feast day of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers: Emperor Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra, Tsarevich Alexei, and the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia.

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love, and their mother Sophia, located at the Patriarchal Metochion in Moscow, which serves as the Representation of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were: Archbishop Barsanuphius of Kokshetau and Akmola; Vice-Rector of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary, Candidate of Theology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Hegumen Agafangel (Gagua); Archpriest Alexander Sokolov; the rector of the church, Hieromonk Anthony (Drobyazko); Dean of the Lisakovsk Church District and rector of the Church of St. John of Kronstadt in Lisakovsk, Archpriest Oleg Kalmykov; Hieromonk Daniel (Makagon); Deacon Anatoly Ledenev; and Deacon Roman Frolov.

The liturgical hymns were performed by the church choir under the direction of Anna Rozhnova.

Praying at the service were N.V. Parshikova, Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, staff members of the Representation, benefactors of the Patriarchal Metochion, and parishioners.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a service of glorification to the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers was celebrated, after which Many Years was proclaimed for His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church; for the Head, bishops, clergy, and faithful of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District; and for the President, authorities, armed forces, and all the people of Kazakhstan.

During the singing of Many Years, Metropolitan Alexander blessed the clergy and faithful with the cross and then delivered an archpastoral homily on the life, moral witness, and martyrdom of Emperor Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra, Tsarevich Alexei, and the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia.

At the conclusion of the service, in recognition of her dedicated service to the Representation of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and on the occasion of a significant birthday anniversary, Metropolitan Alexander presented N.A. Sonina, the Representation’s accountant, with the Order “Enbek Ushin” (“For Labour”), a high award of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan. The Metropolitan wished the recipient good health, strength, and God’s abundant help in her continued service to the Church of Christ.

During a telephone conversation later that day, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan congratulated his vicar, Bishop Veniamin of Talgar, on his birthday, wishing him spiritual and physical strength, God’s abundant assistance, and every success in his lofty and responsible episcopal ministry.