Spiritual Celebrations Marking the 25th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Relics of the Venerable Martyrs Seraphim and Theognost of Almaty to Be Held at the Seraphim–Theognost Monastic Hermitage on August 11

On August 11, 2026, the feast day of the heavenly patrons of Kazakhstan—the Venerable Martyrs Seraphim and Theognost of Almaty—the Seraphim–Theognost Monastic Hermitage in the Aksai Gorge will host spiritual celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the discovery of the relics of the holy hieromonks.

The Divine Liturgy at the burial place of the martyrs of Christ will be celebrated by the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan.

Hierarchs and clergy of the Almaty Diocese will participate in the festive Divine Liturgy.

The Divine Liturgy will begin at 8:30 a.m.

With the blessing of the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, transportation will be provided for pilgrims to the beginning of the hiking trail leading to the monastery. On August 11 at 6:00 a.m., six buses will depart from St. Nicholas Cathedral in Almaty (56/5 Baitursynov Street) for the Aksai Gorge. Those wishing to visit the place of the monastic labors and martyrdom of the Venerable Martyrs Seraphim and Theognost are asked to arrive at St. Nicholas Cathedral in advance.

Pilgrims are advised to bring: cash to pay the ecological fee (650–700 tenge per person), drinking water, a hat, and insect repellent