Relics of St. Spyridon Arrive in Petropavlovsk

September 28, 2026. Petropavlovsk. The incorrupt relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous, which are visiting Kazakhstan with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and with the kind consent of Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, Paxos and the Diapontian Islands, arrived in the Petropavlovsk Diocese.

The pilgrimage of the relic is organized by the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation, headed by its President V.M. Kapsamun.

Late in the evening, the aircraft carrying the holy relics landed at the airport of the administrative center of the North Kazakhstan Region. Accompanying the relics were Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan; Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan, Vicar of the Astana Diocese; priests of the Metropolis of Corfu of the Church of Greece; and clergy from the churches of Alma-Ata.

The reliquary containing the dexter of St. Spyridon was welcomed by Archbishop Vladimir of Petropavlovsk and Bulaevo and Archpriest Sergius Pervushin, Secretary of the Petropavlovsk Diocese.

From the airport, the relic was brought to the Ascension Cathedral, where the clergy and faithful of Petropavlovsk had gathered.

To the ringing of bells and the singing of the troparion and magnification to St. Spyridon, the reliquary was carried into the cathedral and placed in the center of the church.

Metropolitan Alexander addressed those gathered with words of greeting:

“I would like to congratulate you all from my heart on this great joy – the arrival in the Petropavlovsk Diocese of the Metropolitan District of the wonderworking relics of St. Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous – his holy dexter, the very hand with which, at the First Ecumenical Council, he demonstrated the Triune nature of God by squeezing a simple brick in his right hand.

Those present then witnessed a miracle – fire flared upward, water flowed downward, and a piece of clay remained in the saint’s hand. This sign bore witness that God is One in three Persons, just as the brick was one while consisting of three elements.

St. Spyridon is venerated throughout the world. His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II said that ‘the whole life of St. Spyridon was woven from deeds of love.’ Today, before his relics, we can ask this great wonderworker for his intercession.

The Lord hears the prayers that St. Spyridon offers before His throne for all who turn to him with faith, repentance and love. Through the prayers of St. Spyridon, may our faith be strengthened, may our hope remain firm, and may love for God and our neighbors burn brightly in our hearts.”

Special words of gratitude were addressed to V.M. Kapsamun, President of the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation and organizer of the relic’s pilgrimage through Kazakhstan.

The hierarchs and clergy celebrated a moleben before the relics of St. Spyridon, after which the faithful began to venerate the shrine. Molebens with akathists to St. Spyridon will be celebrated continuously in the cathedral throughout the night.

The saint’s incorrupt dexter will remain in Petropavlovsk until noon on September 30.