The “Mining Capital” Welcomes the Relics of Blessed Matrona of Moscow

October 21, 2024. Karaganda. The holy relics of Blessed Matrona of Moscow, which are visiting Kazakhstan with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, have arrived in the Karaganda Diocese.

 

The relics were brought by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, with the support of the public foundation “Apostle,” led by its president, G.G. Sosnovsky. The visit is timed to coincide with significant historical dates, including the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Astana and Almaty Diocese, the upcoming 15th anniversary of the canonical status of the Metropolitan District, and the commemoration of the feast day of Venerable Confessor Sebastian of Karaganda, the last Elder of Optina and the heavenly patron of Kazakhstan.

 

At the airport, the head of the Metropolitan District and his accompanying delegation were greeted by Archbishop Sebastian of Karaganda and Shakhtinsk, the secretary of the Karaganda diocesan administration, Protopriest Dmitry Patrikeyev.

 

From the airport, the reliquary containing the relics of Blessed Matrona was transferred to the Holy Trinity-Sebastian Cathedral, where the relics were received by clergy and a large gathering of faithful. To the singing of the troparion to the righteous woman, “God-Enlightened Blessed Matrona,” the relics were brought into the cathedral and placed at the center of the church.

 

Metropolitan Alexander led a moleben (service of intercession), which was attended by Archbishop Sebastian of Karaganda and Shakhtinsk, Vicar of the Astana Diocese Bishop Klavdian of Taldykorgan, Bishop Chrysanf of Chimkent and Turkestan; Protopriest Eugene Vorobyev, rector of the Almaty church dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” the secretary of the Karaganda diocesan administration Protopriest Dmitry Patrikeyev, Protopriest Vladimir Freigang, dean of the Abai church district; Protopriest Alexander Ugolkov, dean of church districts, Hieromonk Prokhor (Yendovitsky), head of the Metropolitan’s personal secretariat, Priest Georgy Sidorov, head of the administrative secretariat of the Metropolitan District, and Priest Kirill Freigang, acting dean of the Taldykorgan church district and rector of St. Nicholas Church in Talgar, along with the clergy of the Karaganda Diocese. Also serving were Protodeacon Nikolai Grinkevich, Protodeacon Roman Golovin, Protodeacon Vladimir Syrovatsky, Deacon Ioann Churkin, and Deacon Rustik Yakupov.

 

At the conclusion of the moleben, Metropolitan Alexander congratulated the gathered faithful on the momentous event of the arrival of the relics of Blessed Matrona in the “Mining Capital.” Following the service, veneration of the relics began. Throughout the relics’ stay at the Holy Trinity-Sebastian Cathedral, molebens with akathists to the saint will be continuously offered.

 

On October 22, in honor of the finding of the relics of Venerable Confessor Schema-Archimandrite Sebastian of Karaganda, Metropolitan Alexander will preside over the festive Divine Liturgy at the church dedicated to the saint.

 

The relics will remain in the Karaganda Diocese from October 21 to October 24.