On September 30, 2024, in Almaty, the foyer of the spiritual and cultural administrative center named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) hosted the opening of the exhibition titled "Labor much, pray much, and do good to people."
The exhibition is dedicated to the 35 years of archpastoral service of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan. In 1989, in the Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhovo, Moscow, the episcopal consecration of Vladyka Alexander took place. It was led by the ever-memorable Metropolitan Vladimir of Rostov and Novocherkassk (later the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church), with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen.
The exhibition was organized by the Almaty Theological Seminary in collaboration with the Information and Publishing Department of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District.
The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan participated in the opening of the exhibition.
The presentation was attended by archpastors who were participants in the celebrations dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana and Almaty Diocese: Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan, Metropolitan Sergius of Singapore and Southeast Asia, Chancellor of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Vicar of the Astana Diocese Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, and Vicar of the Astana Diocese Bishop Veniamin of Talgar.
The event was also attended by: the Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov; the Dean of Almaty churches, Rector of the Nikolsky Cathedral, Protopriest Valery Zakharov; Rector of the Church in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in Almaty, Protopriest Evgeny Vorobyov; Head of the Department of Education and Catechesis of the Metropolitan District, Rector of the Church of the Intercession and the Church in honor of the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos, Protopriest Evgeny Bobylev; Acting Rector of the Almaty Theological Seminary and Head of the Information and Publishing Department of the Metropolitan District, Protopriest Evgeny Ivanov; Vice-Rector for Pastoral Work, Priest Ioann Livinsky; Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Priest Peter Bakhtiyarov; Head of the personal secretariat of the Metropolitan, Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky); Head of the administrative secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov; Head of the Metropolitan's protocol service, Protodeacon Roman Golovin; employees of the Almaty Diocesan Administration and students of the Almaty Seminary.
One of the organizers of the exhibition, Priest Ioann Livinsky, delivered words of good wishes on behalf of all the attendees to Metropolitan Alexander:
"For many years, with diligence and love, you have been performing apostolic work, following the ideals of your heavenly patrons – the Righteous Prince Alexander Nevsky and the Venerable Alexander of Svir. Through your tireless labors, churches are being restored, and magnificent cathedrals are being built, while the church-state and interfaith dialogue continues to develop successfully, and the program of church social service is being implemented. By the example of your virtuous life, you testify to the eternal Gospel truths, calling people to follow Christ's commandments. In these joyful days for your flock and many spiritual children, we pray for your health and well-being. May the Most Merciful Lord, through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos and all the saints, grant you His gracious help in carrying out your episcopal labors for the good of the Mother Church and preserve you for many years."
The Head of the Metropolitan District thanked Father Ioann and the participants for their congratulations.
"I thank the organizers of the exhibition for the gift commemorating the 35th anniversary of my episcopal consecration. Reflecting on the milestones of my service and the remarkable hierarchs I have been fortunate to meet along my life's path, I want to emphasize that a bishop, as biographers of the Saintly Metropolitan Philaret (Drozdov) of Moscow testified, must 'be a bishop 24 hours a day.' My holy predecessor on the Kazakh see, Schema-Archbishop Anthony (Abashidze), used to say, 'The episcopal authority is given to me not to punish, but to forgive.' This sentiment resonates with the words that Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan) gave me after my episcopal consecration: 'Do not be quick to exercise authority, to punish or forbid... Strive to instruct, to bring shame to sin, to soften the hearts of those who have erred, and let sincere repentance be met with merciful and corrective love.' The encouragement and support in fulfilling my episcopal duties come from the realization that all our labors — the diverse activities of bishops, clergy, monastics, and laity — serve the noble and ultimate purpose of human life: the salvation of the soul."
After this, Priest Ioann Livinsky informed those gathered about the concept of the exhibition and led a tour of the displays.
The items, photographs, and documents on display at the exhibition narrate the story of the episcopal consecration and the years of priestly and episcopal service of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan.
Among the exhibits are panagias gifted to Metropolitan Alexander by His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Russia and Metropolitan Chrysanthos of Vyatka and Sloboda; episcopal vestments, a mantle, crozier, and staff presented at the time of his elevation to the episcopacy; the Gospel placed upon his head during his episcopal consecration; antimensia signed by the hierarch; and pectoral crosses.
The photographic materials feature the Primatial visits of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to Kazakhstan and the episcopal consecrations of new bishops for the dioceses of the Kazakh Metropolitan District.
The photographs are interspersed with quotations from the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, and the President of the Republic, K.-Zh.K. Tokayev.
The exhibition will remain open until October 7, and all are welcome to visit. Admission is free.
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