Metropolitan Alexander Consecrates the Memorial Church Under Construction Dedicated to the New Martyrs of Chimkent Who Were Killed at Lisya Balka

October 10, 2026. Shymkent. Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, who is visiting the Diocese of Chimkent on an archpastoral visit, visited Lisya Balka, the site of the martyrdom of countless Orthodox archpastors, pastors, monastics, and laypeople.

His Eminence had arrived in the capital of Southern Kazakhstan the previous day at the head of a pilgrimage delegation that brought with it a great treasure of Orthodoxy — the incorrupt relics of St. Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous.

At the memorial cross, the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, together with the hierarchs and clergy accompanying him, celebrated a memorial litia for “the archpastors, pastors, monastics, and laypeople who suffered for the truth of God and the Church of Christ in the land of Kazakhstan during the time of fierce persecution, and who were unjustly tortured and killed at this very place.”

Following the memorial service, the Head of the Metropolitan District performed the rite of consecration of the memorial church dedicated to the New Martyrs and Confessors of Chimkent, which is being built at Lisya Balka on the initiative and with the blessing of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’.

The principal construction work on the church has now been completed. Under the supervision of highly qualified specialists, work continues on the interior finishing, decoration, and landscaping of the surrounding grounds.

Assisting the Metropolitan in the rite of consecration were: Archbishop Sebastian of Karaganda and Shakhtinsk; Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Vicar of the Diocese of Astana and Chancellor of the Metropolitan District; Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, Vicar of the Diocese of Astana; Bishop Chrysanf of Chimkent and Turkestan; Archimandrite Anthony (Solovyov), Dean of the Southern Kazakhstan Church District; and clergy of the Dioceses of Almaty and Chimkent.

Praying in the church were: representatives of the delegation of the Holy Metropolis of Corfu of the Church of Greece; O. N. Ovchinnikov, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan and Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation, Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District; V. M. Kapsamun, President of the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation; benefactors of the Metropolitan District; members of the Chimkent Diocesan Administration; representatives of the diocese’s Orthodox youth movement; Sunday school pupils; and Orthodox residents of Shymkent.

Among the guests attending the celebration were: A. N. Khatiev, Chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan; S. A. Kuranbek, Acting Akim of Shymkent; D. A. Turaev, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Almaty; and D. V. Meleshkin, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in the Southern Capital.

Before the beginning of the rite, Metropolitan Alexander addressed those gathered with a welcoming speech.

“God, Who is glorified in the assembly of His saints, has granted us the joy and grace-filled opportunity to take part in a historic event — the consecration of a church dedicated to the Synaxis of the New Martyrs of Chimkent here in Southern Kazakhstan.

“The new church has been erected at a special location — Lisya Balka, a place known throughout the world. Here, countless faithful — archpastors and pastors, monastics and laypeople — suffered for the name of Christ and found their final resting place.

“This church is unique in that its establishment was initiated by His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’. Our Primate first learned of Lisya Balka and the tragic events that took place here in his youth from his devout relatives.

“His Holiness shared the idea of establishing a memorial church in Shymkent with the leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan and received a warm response from President Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev. Thus, this place has been adorned with a memorial church in which we shall glorify the New Martyrs and prayerfully commemorate all those who suffered innocently during the time of fierce persecution,” the hierarch remarked.

After reading the prescribed prayers, the Metropolitan sprinkled the interior of the church with holy water.

The Many Years was proclaimed for the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’; the Head and Right Reverend archpastors of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District; the President of Kazakhstan, K.-J. K. Tokayev; the authorities, armed forces, and all the people of Kazakhstan.

The Head of the Metropolitan District congratulated Bishop Chrysanf of Chimkent, the clergy, and the Orthodox community of Shymkent on this significant event in the spiritual life of the city and of Kazakhstan as a whole — the consecration of the new church. He then expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those who had contributed, and continue to contribute, to the construction of the church dedicated to the New Martyrs of Chimkent through their prayers, donations, or personal involvement.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the benefactors and those who have helped adorn the church, and to thank everyone who has made a contribution to the construction of the Church of the New Martyrs of Chimkent.

“I would also like to recall the profoundly meaningful words of His Holiness: ‘Those who build churches enter history. And not only human history. The names of these people are specially inscribed in the Book of Life.’

“It is gratifying that the authorities of Shymkent also responded to the requests of the diocese and provided valuable assistance in this noble undertaking.

“May God grant that cooperation between the Church and society, the state and traditional religious communities, may never cease, but continue to serve the good of our common home — blessed Kazakhstan,” His Eminence said.

Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Chancellor of the Metropolitan District and Vicar of the Diocese of Astana, then read the congratulatory message of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’, on the occasion of the consecration of the Church of the New Martyrs of Chimkent.

S. A. Kuranbek, Acting Akim of Shymkent, congratulated Metropolitan Alexander, the archpastors, clergy, and faithful on the consecration of the memorial church. Sarsen Abayevich also read a congratulatory message from the President of Kazakhstan, K.-J. K. Tokayev.

Congratulatory messages from A. N. Borodavkin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, and A. I. Bogdanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus, were read by D. A. Turaev, Consul General of Russia in Almaty, and D. V. Meleshkin, Consul General of Belarus in the Southern Capital, respectively.

Lorenzo Senacioli, a priest of the Roman Catholic parish in Shymkent, presented a congratulatory message from Archbishop George Panamthundil, Apostolic Nuncio to Kazakhstan.

Metropolitan Alexander presented Bishop Chrysanf of Chimkent with a Certificate of Consecration of the Church and an icon of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Kazakhstan containing particles of the venerable relics of the saints of God.

At the conclusion of the ceremonial part of the consecration, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan presented ecclesiastical awards to those who had contributed to the construction of the memorial church.

Bishop Chrysanf of Chimkent and Turkestan, Ruling Bishop of the Diocese of Chimkent, was awarded the highest distinction of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District — the Order of Algys (Gratitude).

The Order of Yntaly Qyzmet Ushin (For Diligent Service) was awarded to: V. A. Antonenko, General Director of Shyn LLP; I. V. Rodionov, General Director of Riv Auto LLP; I. A. Shapran, General Director of ProserviceYug LLP; Yu. A. Lukyanov, Director of Elektrokomplekt-1 LLP; and O. V. Pochivalov, Construction Supervisor of the church project.

On behalf of the award recipients, His Grace Bishop Chrysanf expressed gratitude to Metropolitan Alexander.