“Immortal Regiment” of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan

With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the official website of the Kazakhstan Metropolis is hosting a photo gallery titled “Immortal Regiment” as part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

This commemorative initiative was first launched in 2020 and was dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory.

Clergy members hold in their hands portraits of their relatives and loved ones who participated in the Great Patriotic War.

In blessing this memorial project, Metropolitan Alexander stated in particular:

“Victory Day is illuminated by Paschal joy, yet at the same time infused with sorrow and grief over the countless losses. The calamity that befell our Homeland in the distant 1940s united our people, who rose as one to defend their native land. The world witnessed examples of supreme self-sacrifice and unwavering devotion to the Fatherland; millions of men and women fulfilled the commandment of Christ: ‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’

Relentless is the march of history, and fewer remain among us who fought at the front or labored on the home front during the years of war. Yet ever more clearly does the greatness of the Victory and the significance of the sacrificial heroism of our fathers and grandfathers become imprinted in the consciousness of the people. The Immortal Regiment stands as a visible testimony of respect for the war heroes – a tribute to those who fell on the battlefield defending the Fatherland, and to all who ‘labored for the sake of Victory.’ In memory of the Great Victory, we are posting on the website of the Metropolis photographs of clergy who participated in the war and labored on the home front, along with images of our pastors holding portraits of the victors.”