The Head of the Metropolitan District Conducted a Prayer Service for the Beginning of the Academic Year for Students of Sunday and General Education Schools in Almaty

On August 31, 2024, following the Divine Liturgy at the Kazan Cathedral, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan conducted a prayer service for the beginning of the new academic year.

Praying alongside the Head of the Metropolitan District were the auxiliary bishops of the Astana Diocese—Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan and Bishop Veniamin of Talgar; the dean of Almaty churches and rector of the Nikolsky Cathedral, Archpriest Valery Zakharov; the key-holder of the Christ's Nativity Cathedral, Archpriest Alexander Gaychenya; and the clergy who served during the Liturgy.

Participating in the prayer service were teachers and students from the city’s Sunday schools, as well as students from general education schools and secular educational institutions in Almaty.

The hymns were performed by a united children's choir of the Southern capital’s Sunday schools under the direction of N. Golovina.

During the prayer service, special petitions were offered for the granting of intelligence, wisdom, strength, and perseverance to the students in mastering every good and useful knowledge.

At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Alexander addressed the gathered students with a parting word, imparted his blessing, and wished the young people God's help, health, and success in all their endeavors.

The participants of the service received icons of the Feodorovskaya and Kazanskaya images of the Mother of God as a keepsake, along with a sweet gift.