Metropolitan Alexander Celebrates the Divine Liturgy at the Representation of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District in Moscow on the Feast of St. Sergius of Radonezh

July 18, 2026 – the feast of the uncovering of the honorable relics of St. Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh, and the day of the martyrdom of the Venerable Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara.

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, the Representation of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were: Hegumen Agafangel (Gagua), Vice-Rector of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary, Candidate of Theology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and Professor; Archpriest Alexander Sokolov; Hieromonk Anthony (Drobyazko), rector of the Church of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love, and their mother Sophia; 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 members of the staff of the Representation, benefactors of the Patriarchal Metochion, and parishioners.

Following the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, a service of glorification to St. Sergius of Radonezh and the Venerable Martyrs Elizabeth and Barbara was celebrated. Metropolitan Alexander then congratulated those celebrating their name day and addressed the faithful with a sermon.

“In the words of the historian Vasily Klyuchevsky, ‘When we commemorate St. Sergius, we examine ourselves and take stock of the moral inheritance bequeathed to us by the great builders of our spiritual order.’

St. Sergius is for us a guiding star and the true image of a Christian. Time and again, turning to him, we learn to discern rightly the spiritual realities of our own day. There is nothing truly valuable in the spiritual, moral, and cultural life of our people that does not trace its roots to the traditions established by St. Sergius in the Holy Trinity Monastery that he founded.

Today, the personality of this intercessor and man of prayer for the Orthodox world unites the vast expanses of Eurasia. This is deeply symbolic, for St. Sergius entered history above all as a peacemaker and an enlightener of nations.

Having first withdrawn from the world to embrace the ascetic life of the wilderness in the depths of the forest, the saint soon acquired great spiritual authority among his contemporaries. His life fulfilled the words of Holy Scripture: ‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven’ (Matthew 5:14–16).

More than once, the humble hermit left the solitude of prayer to travel on missions of reconciliation. His gentle words calmed the warlike spirit of princes and were filled with profound peace.

Abba Sergius remains for us in every age an ‘eternal contemporary.’ As we read his Life and contemplate his example, we are freed from what is superficial, from our errors and vain reasoning. Before us again stands the radiant image of the great Abbot—a laborer who cultivated the fields and built churches and monastic cells alongside the other monks; an abbot who lived with great simplicity in food and clothing, yet possessed such spiritual power that a single word from him was enough to work miracles and foresee the future.

In an age when people seek comfort, wealth, and power, the words written by his contemporary in the Life of St. Sergius speak to our conscience with particular force: ‘His virtues were these: purity of soul and body, restraint of speech, physical labor, sincere humility, unceasing prayer, prudence, perfect love, simplicity in clothing, remembrance of death, meekness and gentleness, and constant fear of God.’

How important it is to remember these words and to keep before our eyes the clear and truthful image of this holy ascetic. A Christian is called first of all to seek the things of heaven and to prepare for eternity. We are called to acquire that love for God and neighbor, that meekness, freedom from malice, and diligence in labor which St. Sergius revealed in his life. As his spiritual testament, the words preserved by pious tradition still resound today: ‘By love and unity we shall be saved.’”

From the sermon of Metropolitan Alexander.