Metropolitan Alexander Lays Foundation Stone for Church Dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Multiplier of Wheat”

October 1, 2026. Kostanay. Following the Divine Liturgy at the Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan blessed the foundation of a church dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Multiplier of Wheat,” located in the city’s Northwestern District.

Taking part in the rite of blessing the cross and foundation stone at the site of the future church were Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan, Vicar of the Astana Diocese; representatives of the delegation of the Metropolis of Corfu of the Church of Greece; Hieromonk Gennady (Burdyuzha), Secretary of the Kostanay Diocese; Priest Georgy Sidorov, Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District; Protodeacon Roman Golovin, Head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Service; and clergy of the Alma-Ata and Kostanay Dioceses.

Representatives of the Kostanay media also attended the event.

Before the rite began, the Head of the Metropolitan District addressed those gathered and spoke about the importance of building a new church dedicated to an icon of the Mother of God traditionally regarded as the patroness of farmers.

“The Kostanay Region is the breadbasket of our country, producing grain for all regions of Kazakhstan and for other countries as well. I hope that, with God’s help, we will soon see the domes of a church dedicated to this renowned icon of the Queen of Heaven rising toward the sky.

Within its walls, we will pray for the unity and peace of our country, for the preservation of brotherly love and good-neighborly relations among the different peoples of Kazakhstan, and for the well-being of the Orthodox Church in the ancient land of the Great Steppe.

The construction of mosques and Orthodox churches is a visible embodiment of some of sovereign Kazakhstan’s most important achievements – interethnic peace and harmony, and profound respect for our country’s centuries-old history and rich culture,” Metropolitan Alexander said.

After the prescribed prayers, blessed oil was poured over the foundation stone, and the cross, the construction site and those attending the service were sprinkled with holy water.

In the presence of the clergy and faithful, the charter establishing the church, signed by Metropolitan Alexander, was read aloud. The document was then placed in a metal capsule and deposited in a special niche in the foundation of the church under construction.

Following the moleben, the Head of the Metropolitan District held a working meeting at which specialists responsible for the construction reported on the project. Metropolitan Alexander gave instructions concerning the next stages of the work.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan thanked those present for their efforts and wished them God’s help in the important and demanding task of building a church long awaited by the Orthodox residents of Kostanay.