Metropolitan Alexander Congratulated on the 35th Anniversary of His Episcopal Consecration by Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus

September 28, 2024. Astana. Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, and a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, arrived in the capital of Kazakhstan for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Astana Diocese.

Metropolitan Benjamin congratulated the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan on this significant historical occasion and the 35th anniversary of his episcopal consecration:

Your Eminence, dear Vladyka Alexander!

On this momentous day, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the remarkable occasion—the 35th anniversary of your episcopal consecration!

Having received the call to apostolic service on September 27, 1989, on the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, you have, for many years, guided the ship of the Church entrusted to you, with wise words and a steady hand, aided by the Lord (Mark 16:20), into the quiet harbor of the Heavenly Kingdom, trusting in the living God, Who is the Savior of all people (1 Tim. 4:10). With fervent faith and unwavering zeal, you carry out your spiritual care for the flock entrusted to you, beautifying the Church of Christ and presenting yourself as a worthy archpastor, a faithful servant of Christ, and a steward of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1).

Your zealous archpastoral ministry brings forth abundant and good fruits. Tirelessly performing the work of faith and the labor of love (1 Thess. 1:3), you offer both clergy and laity an inspiring example of diligent labor in the Vineyard of Christ, calling every person to live according to the high ideals of the Gospel, love for their place of service and homeland, and the creation of peace and social harmony. All of this demonstrates your active care that the word of God may increase, and the number of disciples of Christ may greatly multiply (Acts 6:7).

In prayerful remembrance of these Pentecostal events with you and the flock entrusted to you by the Lord, I sincerely wish that the Chief Shepherd, the Lord, fill your heart with all joy and peace in faith (Rom. 15:13), granting you, Your Eminence, long life, fullness of spiritual and physical strength, and His generous and unfailing help in your high and responsible archpastoral labors. May your flock enjoy peace and well-being.