On the feast of the Resurrection of Christ, Metropolitan Alexander celebrated the festive Great Vespers in the main church of Alma-Ata

On May 5, 2024, in the evening, on the feast of the Holy Resurrection of Christ, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Great Easter Vespers at the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty.

The head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan was co-served by: the manager of affairs of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, the vicar of the Astana diocese, Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan, the vicar of the Astana diocese, Bishop Benjamin of Talgar; dean of the parishes of Alma-Ata, Archpriest Valery Zakharov, rector of the Sorrow Church, Archpriest Evgeny Vorobyov, confessor of the Alma-Ata diocese, Archimandrite John (Sazonov); heads of departments of the Metropolitan District in holy orders and the clergy of the churches of the Southern capital.

The chants were performed by the choir of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District under the direction of the Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikova, the choir of the Ascension Cathedral under the direction of N. Zubrevich and students of the Orthodox singing school “Tsevnitsa” under the direction of N. Golovina.

Praying during the service were: the abbess of the Iversko-Seraphim convent, Abbess Lyubov (Yakushkina) with the nuns of the monastery, employees of the Alma-Ata diocesan administration, and benefactors of the diocese.

The guests of the holiday were: Head of the Department of Religious Affairs of Almaty N.M. Kikimov.

According to established tradition, at the beginning of Great Vespers, the Holy Fire from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was delivered to the Alma-Ata Cathedral by a delegation of clergy and laity of the Astana-Alma-Ata diocese.

The Head of the Metropolitan District cordially thanked the benefactors for organizing the bringing of the Holy Fire from the holy city of Jerusalem to Kazakhstan.

Having ascended to the pulpit, Vladyka Metropolitan was the first to light bunches of candles from the shrine and blessed the believers with them. From this fire, candles were lit throughout the cathedral, spiritually connecting Almaty residents with the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem.

In accordance with the liturgical regulations, the Great Prokeimenon was performed during Vespers.

Metropolitan Alexander, at the royal doors, facing the people, read the conception from the Gospel of John, which tells about the first appearance of the Risen Savior to His disciples, during which the Apostle Thomas was absent.

At the end of Vespers, Bishop Gennady, on behalf of the archpastors, clergy, monastics and laity of the Metropolitan District, congratulated the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan on the feast of the Holy Resurrection of Christ.

On behalf of the executive power of the city of Alma-Ata, the head of the Department of Religious Affairs of Alma-Ata, N.M., greeted the Metropolitan and the faithful on the occasion of Holy Easter. Kikimov. Nurlan Medsantovich announced the welcoming address of Erbolat Askarbekovich Dosayev.

Pupils of the cathedral's Sunday school congratulated the believers with Easter chants.