Feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God: Metropolitan Alexander Celebrates Liturgy at the Representation Church of the Kazakhstani Metropolitan District in Moscow

November 4, 2024 – celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Martyrs Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov, and their mother Sophia at the Moscow Representation of the Kazakhstani Metropolitan District.

The archpastor was concelebrated by Acting Rector of the Almaty Theological Seminary and Head of the Metropolitan District’s Information Department, Protopriest Yevgeny Ivanov; the church’s sacristan, Hieromonk Antony (Drobiazko); Doctor of Theology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Hegumen Agafangel (Gagua); sacristan of the St. Nicholas Chapel of the Scientific and Clinical Center of Otorhinolaryngology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Protopriest Lev Aznovaryan; Hieromonk Daniil (Makagon); Protodeacon Sergei Kulikov; Deacon Anatoly Ledenev; and Deacon Roman Frolov.

The choir was led by Anna Rozhnova.

During the Liturgy, prayers were offered for the repose of Metropolitan Alexander’s spiritual mentor, the late Archbishop Meliton of Tikhvin, who reposed on the feast of the Kazan Icon in 1986.

After communion, Protopriest Yevgeny Ivanov delivered the homily.

The service concluded with a hymn of praise before the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Metropolitan Alexander warmly congratulated the clergy and parishioners on the feast and addressed them with a sermon on honoring the Most Holy Mother of God.

“Among the many icons of the Most Holy Mother of God revered in the Russian Orthodox Church, none is as widely venerated as the Kazan Icon. Around the world, countless faithful turn their gaze to it. Human life is filled with sorrow, grief, and trials, but for Christian hearts, there is always an unfailing source of comfort. In times of trouble, hardship, or danger, we turn to the intercession of the Pure Mother of God with faith and trust. In response to our requests, She warms our cold hearts with Her maternal love, delivers us from adversity, and guides us toward the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. Saint John Chrysostom teaches, ‘The Virgin Mary hears us in every way, for She dwells in a place of light, in the land of the living, as the Mother of Salvation.’

Yet, we must remember that all blessings received through the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God are granted by God and His Grace, bestowed upon us invisibly through the prayers of the Queen of Heaven. Our petitions and the fulfillment of our hopes are possible only through genuine faith in God and trust in His mercy. As the Apostle Paul teaches, ‘Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for one who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him’ (Hebrews 11:6).

The work of prayer cannot bear fruit without purification of the soul, repentance, and transformation of one’s life. As the great Church Father, Saint Gregory the Theologian, wrote, ‘Just as clouds block the rays of the sun, so does the sinner who refuses to acknowledge and renounce his sins close off the rays of God’s love and the mercy of the Mother of God.’

Therefore, as we venerate the celebrated image of the Queen of Heaven, let us fervently ask the Lord for forgiveness of our sins, strength to overcome weaknesses, and victory over passions. Let our primary prayer be for the acquisition of a virtuous Christian life, of which the Mother of God is a shining example. As Saint Ignatius the God-bearer said, the Ever-Virgin ‘was always cheerful in persecution and adversity, not saddened in need or poverty, not angered by those who offended Her, but even did good to them. She was gentle in prosperity, merciful to the poor, and helped them as best She could. She was a model of piety and every good work.’ May the mercy of the Most Holy Theotokos be with us all.”

From the sermon of Metropolitan Alexander.