The Head of the Metropolitan District Elevated Mother Nika (Otroshchenko), Abbess of the Iveron-Petropavlovsk Convent in Oktyabrskoye, to the Rank of Hegumeness

On October 13, 2024, in Kostanay, following the Divine Liturgy at the Constantine-Helen Cathedral, and in accordance with the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church from July 25, 2024 (Journal No. 98, 1 a), Metropolitan Alexander elevated Mother Nika (Otroshchenko) to the rank of hegumeness.

 

After the prayers were read, the hierarch placed a pectoral cross on the abbess and presented her with the abbatial staff.

 

The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan addressed Mother Nika with words of guidance:

 

“The Almighty God, who declares the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done (Isaiah 46:10), has shown His mercy to the land of Kostanay – here, from nothingness, the ancient monastery dedicated to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God has been revived. The heavenly patrons of the restored monastery in honor of the ‘Blessed Gatekeeper’ are the foremost apostles Peter and Paul. You, Mother Nika, have been chosen by the ecclesiastical authorities to be its first abbess. It is significant that you begin your responsibilities in a special year, marked by the 140th anniversary of the monastery’s founding. The land of Kostanay is your homeland; here, from the clergy who endured the trials of confession, you received your first lessons in faith and piety, and here you labored in ancient churches that miraculously survived the era of godlessness. Now, you are called to labor even more diligently in your native land for the glory of God and the salvation of human souls, revealing the talents and abilities granted by the Creator. Do not fear the mission entrusted to you, for its goal is high and salvific – to bear witness to those near and far of Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Remember the wise words of Saint John Chrysostom: ‘The teacher teaches not only with words but also with deeds; this is the best teaching of a teacher.’ If you work for the Lord with reverence and purity of heart, you will, like the holy apostle Paul, be able to say, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13). In the monastery under your leadership, all who come seeking counsel and support should be warmly welcomed – both those who are churched and those who have just begun their spiritual journey, as well as those who are still outside the bounds of the Holy Church.”

 

As a blessing for her spiritual labors, His Eminence presented the abbess with an icon containing a relic of Saint Nike of Corinth, the heavenly patroness of the Iveron-Petropavlovsk Convent.

 

Mother Nika expressed her gratitude to the Head of the Metropolitan District for his words of guidance and requested archpastoral prayers for the granting of God’s strengthening grace in her service as abbess.