Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan Presides over the Patronal Feast at the Holy Trinity St. Macarius of Unzha Monastery of the Kostroma Metropolia

August 7, 2026 — Feast of the Dormition of the Righteous Anna, Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, and commemoration of Venerable Macarius of Unzha and Zheltovodsk, the Wonderworker.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, presided over the patronal celebrations at the Holy Trinity St. Macarius of Unzha Monastery in the town of Makariev, Kostroma Region—the monastery founded by Venerable Macarius of Unzha.

Concelebrating with the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District were:

Metropolitan Ferapont of Kostroma and Galich, head of the Kostroma Metropolia

Bishop Alexy of Galich and Makariev

Bishop Stefan of Alexandrov and Yuryev-Polsky

Hegumen Bartholomew (Kolomatsky), Abbot of the Holy Trinity St. Macarius of Unzha Monastery

Hegumen Athanasy (Gritsenko), Secretary of the Galich Diocesan Administration

Archpriest Alexy Ogiyevich, Dean of the Makariev Church District

Priest Pavel Motovichev, Dean of the Kady Church District

Priest Andrei Gutsul, Dean of the Manturovo Church District

The monastery brethren in holy orders

Clergy of the Kostroma Metropolia

The liturgical hymns were sung by a chamber ensemble of the Kostroma Metropolia Bishops’ Choir under the direction of N.V. Baluyeva.

Praying in the church together with the numerous pilgrims was O.N. Ovchinnikov, Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, and member of the Patriarchal Church and Public Council for the Development of Russian Church Singing.

Among the guests of the celebration was A.N. Kazvirov, Head of the Makariev Municipal District.

The sermon before Holy Communion was delivered by Priest Pavel Motovichev.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a procession of the Cross took place, during which the hierarchs sprinkled the faithful with holy water. This was followed by a service of glorification to Venerable Macarius of Unzha before the shrine containing his holy relics.

The traditional Many Years was proclaimed for His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and for all participants in the celebration.

Metropolitan Ferapont warmly congratulated Metropolitan Alexander, the concelebrating hierarchs, the abbot, the clergy, the monastic brethren, and all those who had come to the monastery to share in the joy of its patronal feast.

In his response, Metropolitan Alexander thanked the head of the Kostroma Metropolia, his fellow hierarchs, the clergy, and the faithful for the joy of praying together in the ancient Holy Trinity Monastery on the River Unzha before the relics of the great saint of God, Venerable Macarius.

The Metropolitan also shared his memories of the restoration of the monastery in 1993–1994 and of the discovery of the relics of Venerable Macarius in the storage facilities of the local history museum in Yuryevets, Ivanovo Region, in 1990.

“Venerable Macarius of Unzha and Zheltovodsk is one of the great saints of the Russian Orthodox Church. In the Church’s liturgical hymns he is called ‘a God-fashioned vessel of the Holy Spirit and the radiant light of the Russian land.’

Venerable Macarius began his monastic life in the Ascension Caves Monastery near Nizhny Novgorod under the guidance of its abbot, Saint Dionysius, the future Bishop of Suzdal. From his wise spiritual father he learned prayer, humility, and the life of virtue. Through his labors and prayers, two monastic communities were later established in the Nizhny Novgorod region. For his patience, meekness, mercy, and love of divine contemplation, the Lord granted him the gifts of prophecy, wonderworking, and the healing of both soul and body. In his life was fulfilled the sure word of Holy Scripture: ‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden’ (Matt. 5:14).

Venerable Macarius lived during a tragic period when the homeland was under foreign domination and brotherly blood was being shed in civil strife. Driven from his native land by enemies, the ninety-year-old elder departed with his disciples and spiritual children. After a difficult journey, he reached the banks of the River Unzha, where he founded his third monastery. Thus, in the fifteenth century, the Kostroma land gained a new intercessor before the throne of the Almighty. In the monastery dedicated to the Holy Trinity, the saint found his final resting place. Pilgrims from throughout Rus’ flocked to the shrine of his holy relics as to a life-giving spring. Peasants and merchants, hierarchs and rulers alike came to venerate the saint and seek his gracious help. Venerable Macarius came to be revered as the deliverer of captives and defender of the oppressed. In time, this humble monastery on the River Unzha became one of the most renowned monasteries in Russia and came to be known as ‘the Lavra of Venerable Macarius.’

The revolutionary upheavals of the last century, which brought unprecedented suffering upon our country, did not spare this ancient monastery. Like many churches and monasteries of Holy Rus’, it was closed and desecrated. Yet, by the mercy of God, the chains of militant atheism were broken, and the Holy Trinity Monastery on the Unzha rose again from its ruins. Once more the lamp of monastic prayer was kindled here. The Lord granted me the grace to become both an initiator and participant in this sacred work. In 1994 the entire monastery complex was returned to the Kostroma Diocese, and in August of that same year, together with many clergy, we consecrated the first restored monastery church—the Church of St. Macarius. Today monastic life continues to flourish in the Holy Trinity St. Macarius Monastery. May God grant that, through the dedicated labors and prayers of Bishop Alexy, Hegumen Bartholomew and the brethren, together with the generosity of benefactors and the devotion of parishioners and pilgrims, this ancient monastery may once again become a great spiritual and educational center for the Diocese of Galich and the entire Kostroma region.

As we read the Life of Venerable Macarius of Unzha, we behold the image of a saint shining with the unfading light of the Kingdom of Heaven. In our own age, when people often seek comfort, avoid spiritual struggle, forget meekness and humility, and strive to exalt themselves above others, it is especially important to remember this radiant example. Every Christian is called first of all to seek the things that are above, ‘the one thing needful’ (Luke 10:42), and through the acquisition of virtue prepare for eternity. We must strive to acquire the love of God and neighbor, the meekness, gentleness, and diligence so perfectly embodied by the saint. Abba Macarius left no written works to posterity. His greatest legacy was a life wholly dedicated to God and to His people. As his spiritual testament, we still hear the words preserved by pious tradition: ‘Do not grieve, my children. If we receive with thanksgiving the earthly chastisements sent by God, He will also make us worthy of His future blessings.’

Nearly six centuries have passed since the earthly course of Venerable Macarius came to its end, yet his glory has neither faded nor diminished, ‘for the righteous live forever’ (Wisdom 5:15). As we venerate the holy relics of our God-bearing Father Macarius, let us pray from the depths of our hearts that he may obtain for us God’s blessing—a blessing that comforts sorrow, ends afflictions, dries tears, heals diseases, and, above all, strengthens us on the Christian path, ‘that people may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven’ (Matt. 5:16).

Through the intercessions of Venerable Macarius of Unzha and Zheltovodsk and of all the saints who have shone forth in the Kostroma land, may the Lord grant us His gracious help and increase within our hearts a living and sincere faith, ‘working through love’ (Gal. 5:6).”

From the sermon of Metropolitan Alexander.