An Open Lesson Dedicated to the 225th Anniversary of the Birth of Saint Sophonius (Sokolsky) Was Held at the Central Sunday School

June 22, 2025. Almaty. In the Church Assembly Hall at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, an open lesson entitled “The Holy Lamp” was held, dedicated to the 225th anniversary of the birth of Saint Sophonius (Sokolsky), Archbishop of Turkestan and Enlightener of Semirechye.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the event was organized by the teachers and pupils of the Central Sunday School of the southern capital (director – G. V. Cherepanova).

The celebration was attended by Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, as well as teachers of the Central Sunday School, parents of students, Orthodox youth, and parishioners of the churches of the southern capital.

During the open lesson, short presentations on the life and works of Saint Sophonius were presented to the audience. The children recited poems by Archbishop John (Shakhovskoy), Priest Philip Pestryakov, Monk Lazarus (Afanasyev), Nikolai Gumilev, and a poem by Bishop Gennady dedicated to the first hierarch of Turkestan.

Performed by the choir of the Central Sunday School were: the Paschal troparion in different languages, the troparion for the Baptism of the Lord, the compositions “Thy Temple, O Lord, Is in the Heavens” and “The Golden-Domed Cathedral.” The youngest pupil of the school, Marina Filippova, performed the vocal piece “Summer.”

At the end of the event, Bishop Gennady addressed the participants and organizers with words of gratitude for the work well done.

The director of the Central Sunday School, G. V. Cherepanova, expressed words of appreciation to His Grace, the teachers, and the parents.

A group photo was taken at the conclusion of the lesson.