Spiritual Celebrations in Kostanay in Honor of the Wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”

November 22, 2024. On the feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear,” with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, spiritual celebrations took place at the Constantine and Helen Cathedral in the city of Kostanay.

For over two decades, the main church of the Kostanay Diocese has held in special reverence the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear,” which was written for the people of Kustanay on Mount Athos in the early 20th century. On the back of the icon is the inscription: “This icon was written and consecrated on Mount Athos in the Monastery of the Holy Trinity under the abbot Hieromonk Seraphim, 1909.” This wonderworking icon is associated with well-known ascetics of faith and piety, including the late Bishop Timon (Rusanov), the first hierarch of the Kostanay land. Bishop Timon was a confessor of the faith, a fighter against atheism and schism, a fearless preacher of God’s truth, and a reprover of disbelief.

The Divine Liturgy on the feast day of the revered wonderworking icon of the Queen of Heaven in Kostanay was presided over by the diocesan secretary, Hieromonk Gennady (Burdyuzha), accompanied by diocesan clergy.

The choir of the cathedral, directed by E. Yakusheva, performed the liturgical hymns.

Following the communion hymn, an address from the Head of the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan was read in honor of the celebration of the wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in the Kostanay Diocese.

At the conclusion of the service, Hieromonk Gennady congratulated the clergy and faithful on this significant spiritual celebration for the Kostanay region, after which he delivered a sermon.

The previous evening, an All-Night Vigil with an Akathist was held at the Constantine and Helen Cathedral.