October 10, 2024. Almaty. In the Throne Hall of the Spiritual and Cultural Center of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan, named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), a ceremony was held to present the awards of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Among the participants in the event were: the Secretary of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan and Honored Artist of Russia, O.N. Ovchinnikov; the Acting Rector of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary and Head of the Publishing and Information Department of the Metropolitan District, Protopriest Evgeny Ivanov; the Head of the Metropolitan’s Personal Secretariat, Hegumen Prokhor (Endovitsky); the Assistant to the Head of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov; the Head of the Metropolitan Protocol Service, Protodeacon Roman Golovin; Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation and Head of the Department of Culture of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan, L.E. Goricheva; and employees of the Almaty Diocesan Administration.
By the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana and Almaty Diocese and in recognition of personal milestone dates, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan bestowed church awards to several clergy and laity.
Addressing those gathered, Metropolitan Alexander said: “Today we have come together here, in the Throne Hall of the Spiritual and Cultural Center named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), to present the church awards – Patriarchal honors – to clergy and laity who labor in the Almaty Diocese, on this ancient and blessed land of Kazakhstan.”
Church awards are a visible expression of gratitude and appreciation for various activities that benefit Orthodoxy. They are a traditional way of recognizing clergy and laity for their contributions to the Church and the people of God—whether through pastoral service, theological, academic, and administrative work, the revival of spiritual life, the restoration of churches, or charitable, social, and educational efforts.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you,” continued Metropolitan Alexander. “You are my close assistants, sharing in the efforts aimed at strengthening and developing various aspects of church life, both in the Almaty Diocese and throughout the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan. Thus, each person who labors in this field bears a special responsibility—regardless of rank, position, or scope of authority.”
After his welcoming address, Metropolitan Alexander presented the church awards.
The Rector of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Almaty, Protopriest Vladimir Shklyar, and the personal assistant to the Metropolitan, P.V. Sokolov, were awarded the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Third Class.
The Order of Righteous Prince Alexander Nevsky, Third Class, was awarded to Protopriest Alexander Suvorov, head of the Public Relations Department of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District and sacristan of the Ascension Cathedral in the Southern Capital.
L.E. Goricheva, head of the Cultural Department of the Metropolitan District and director of the Choir Conducting Department at the Almaty Theological Seminary, was awarded the Order of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, Third Class.
The Order of Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, Third Class, was awarded to Nun Ksenia (Frolova), a referent of the Almaty Diocesan Administration, and O.F. Pilgueva, the diocesan cashier-accountant.
The head of the Metropolitan’s Protocol Service, Protodeacon Roman Golovin, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Righteous Prince Daniel of Moscow.
Patriarchal certificates were presented to the head of the Metropolitan’s personal secretariat, Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky), the assistant to the Head of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov, and the head of the Chancellery of the Almaty Diocesan Administration, T.M. Sokolova.
Congratulating the recipients, the archpastor said: “May the church awards presented to you today strengthen your zeal in further service to the Mother Church. All that we do together is not for ourselves, but for the strengthening and establishment of our native Orthodoxy, so that more people may come to know the beauty of the heavenly world, and that the world around us may be transformed by the light of faith in Christ. The Psalmist David teaches us, when performing labors, implementing plans, and seeing results, to address God with these words: ‘Not unto us, not unto us, O Lord, but to Thy name give glory’ (Ps. 113:9). May the Lord keep us all, grant us His great and abundant mercies, strengthen our spiritual and physical powers, and help us work diligently and energetically for the benefit of the Holy Orthodox Church.”
On behalf of the recipients, Protopriest Alexander Suvorov expressed words of gratitude to the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District: “Your Eminence, dear Vladyka and Father! Allow me, on behalf of those awarded, to thank you for the great trust and for the love you show to each of us. There is still much for us to accomplish for the benefit of the Almaty Diocese and blessed Kazakhstan. We take example from you, looking at your sacrificial service. We see your love for this ancient land, washed by the blood of the new martyrs and adorned with the feats of the confessors of the faith, a land that is called the Antimension spread out under the open sky. We are inspired when we receive your blessing, and we are strengthened by your prayerful support. Please allow me to sincerely thank you and wish you good health and the abundant mercy of God.”
Main
Login or register, to write a comment!
Your comment has been successfully added and is currently being reviewed by the site administration