Congratulations to Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan on his birthday from the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan

May 18, 2024 marks the 67th anniversary of the birth of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan. The Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan is congratulated by members of the Synod of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District:

His Eminence,
Your Eminence Alexander,
Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan,
Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan,
permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church

Your Eminence, Most Reverend Bishop!

Christ is Risen!

The Synod of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, the clergy of the Metropolitan District, monastics, laity, all Orthodox believers of the Republic of Kazakhstan respectfully ask you to accept our warmest and sincere congratulations on the occasion of your birthday!

We rejoice with all our hearts that once again you are celebrating this significant event in your life with us - with the entire God-loving flock of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, for the benefit and prosperity of which you have been working tirelessly for almost fifteen years.

Our life, with all its sorrows and joys, is “a continuation of God’s mercy towards man, for which he must constantly thank the Lord God from the depths of his soul,” writes the Venerable Elder Anthony of Optina. Your heart is always filled with gratitude to God, and in your sermons you tirelessly teach that a person should not be ungrateful. The ability to thank and glorify the Creator, to see His all-good providence in any life circumstances is a wonderful virtue that allows you to always maintain presence of mind and not weaken in your efforts aimed at achieving new successes.

You set an example for us in such creative and fruitful works that allowed you to win the sincere love of your flock and the deep respect of the entire society. Your works are extensive and multifaceted: they embrace dioceses, monasteries and parishes located in the vastness of the Great Steppe, in metropolitan cities and remote villages. You strive to attract youth and children to missionary service and spiritual creativity, provide care to the suffering and elderly, educate your flock in the traditions of peace and respect towards representatives of other cultures, and instill love for the shrines of the Orthodox Church.
This holiday, with your blessing, is marked by the bringing to the southern capital of Kazakhstan of the revered shrine of the city of Moscow - the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Healer”. Pious residents of our city, guests of Alma-Ata today resort to this miraculous image with prayers for the health, healing and well-being of their loved ones, for peace in our country, for an end to bloodshed, for overcoming anger and hatred in other countries and regions of the planet. At the same time, we all offer fervent prayers to the “Healer” Mother of God for your good health.

May the All-Merciful Lord, through the intercession of His Most Pure Mother, strengthen you spiritually and physically in the feat of selfless service as the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan.

Our Lord and Giver of all blessings, grant you many years of life, bless all your deeds and undertakings for the glory of our Church and for the benefit of the people of blessed Kazakhstan!

With respectful love in the Risen Christ,

Archbishop Anthony (Moskalenko)
Archbishop of Pavlodar and Ekibastuz Varnava
Archbishop of Karaganda and Shakhty Sevastian
Archbishop of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semipalatinsk Amfilohiy
Archbishop of Kokshetau and Akmola Serapion
Archbishop of Petropavlovsk and Bulaevsk Vladimir
Bishop of Kaskelensky Gennady,
Administrator of the Kazakh Metropolitan District
Bishop of Aktobe and Kyzylorda Ignatius
Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan, vicar of the Astana diocese
Bishop of Talgar Benjamin, vicar of the Astana diocese
Bishop of Ural and Atyrau Vianor