October 21, 2024. Karaganda. After the conclusion of the Vigil at the Trinity-Sebastian Cathedral, in accordance with the resolution of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church dated July 25, 2024 (Journal No. 98, section 1b), Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan elevated Nun Olympia (Salopeko), the prioress of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Karaganda, to the rank of Hegumenia.
Following the reading of prayers, the hierarch presented the hegumenial staff to the prioress.
The head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan addressed Hegumenia Olympia with a pastoral message.
“By the ineffable providence of God, revealed through the will of the ecclesiastical authority, you have been chosen and appointed to the high responsibility of monastic leadership as the prioress of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Karaganda. For nearly a quarter of a century, you have labored in this holy place, founded by the ‘Servant of the Holy Trinity,’ the last elder of Optina and heavenly patron of Kazakhstan, Saint Sebastian the Confessor of Karaganda. Now you are called to lead a monastery that is renowned in the Orthodox world and cherished by many faithful, a spiritual treasure of the Metropolitan District. Your task now is not only to preserve the knowledge and practical skills handed down to you by your spiritual mother and mentor, but also to pass them on to the sisters of the monastery, and to diligently instruct pilgrims and the faithful in all goodness, righteousness, and truth (Ephesians 5:9). I call upon you to be a diligent and like-minded assistant to Archbishop Sebastian of Karaganda and Shakhtinsk, under whose guidance the church life in Karaganda is being built today. Let your service as hegumenia fulfill the words of the Savior: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven’ (Matthew 5:16),” said, in particular, Metropolitan Alexander.
Hegumenia Olympia expressed her gratitude to the head of the Metropolitan District for his guidance and asked for his prayers for the granting of God’s grace to strengthen her in her role as prioress.
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