On August 19, 2024, on the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Ascension Cathedral of Almaty.
His Eminence was accompanied by: the superior of the churches of Alma-Ata, the rector of the cathedral.
His Eminence was served by: the dean of churches of Alma-Ata, rector of the cathedral of St. Nicholas of Myra, Archpriest Valery Zakharov, clergyman of Astanai diocese Archimandrite John (Sazonov), acting. Rector of the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary, head of the information department of the Kazakh Metropolitan District Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov, head of the personal secretariat of Metropolitan Alexander Hieromonk Prokhor (Yendovitsky), clergy of the Astana diocese.
The head of the public fund «Fund Apostol» G.G. Sosnovsky, the head of the representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo in the Republic of Kazakhstan M.S. Simakova, the head of the department of educational projects Rossotrudnichestvo T.V. Zubkova, benefactors of the diocese were present in the temple.
The service was prayed by the staff of the Alma-Ata diocesan office, numerous believers.
The liturgical hymns were performed by the choir Metropolitan District (regent — Honored Art Worker of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov, choirmaster — V. Dudareva) and the choir of the Voznesensky Cathedral (regent — N. Zubrevich).
The sermon before communion was delivered by Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov.
Traditionally, on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the bishop consecrated the fruits of the new harvest.
The bishop consecrated the fruits of the new harvest.
Metropolitan Alexander then congratulated the clergy and laity on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and delivered a sermon.
«Every bicentennial feast dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ or His Most Pure Mother opens a new page of spiritual life for us. During the deep and penetrating festive services we have a real encounter with God, and the renewal of human nature takes place. Understood by the words of Holy Scripture and inspired by the liturgical texts, in which shines the chiseled gold of holy theological wisdom, the Christian is strengthened in trials and receives strength to do good deeds. The transfiguration of the Lord, which enlightened the hearts and minds of the apostles, encourages us to moral transformation and spiritual renewal. The appearance of Divine glory on Mount Tabor reminds all people of the imperishable glory of the coming eternal Heavenly Kingdom, where "God will be all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:28) and "the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matthew 13:43). On the bright day of the Transfiguration, we are called to transform the world around us. In what way? Through our participation in the lives of our neighbors. It is necessary to share the grace, the spiritual joy that we received today at the Liturgy with our relatives and friends, to give to people with whom we communicate, meet or work together, to show active love and mercy to everyone in need. May the light of the Transfiguration of the Lord strengthen and inspire us to do good deeds, give us courage and strength in the midst of the raging waves of the worldly sea to keep composure and calmness, to resist temptations and temptations, to follow the Gospel path with the firm hope of eternal salvation, which God grants us» — said, in particular, Vladyka.
The Archbishop also congratulated Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov on the anniversary of his priestly ordination, presented him with a prosphora, thanked him for his labors and wished him strength of mind and body, the grace of God.
The Archbishop also congratulated Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov on the anniversary of his priestly ordination, presented him with a prosphora, thanked him for his labors and wished him strength of mind and body, the grace of God.
The representatives of the Union of Cossacks of Semirechye headed by the ataman V.S. Shikhotov — a member of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan took an active part in ensuring order and security.
Video recording of the Metropolitan Divine Liturgy was carried out by the TV studio of the Kazakh Metropolitan Church. District «Semirechye» (director — honored worker of culture V.L. Posadneva, cameraman — A. Schmidt); photo-fixing — information department employee A. Shcheglov.
Metropolitan District of the Republic of Kazakhstan/Patriarchal District of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Metropolitan District in the Republic of Kazakhstan/Patriarchy.ru
