On the feast of the Holy Martyrs Seraphim and Theognostus of Alma-Ata, Metropolitan Alexander celebrated the Liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in the southern capital

July 16, 2024 - celebration in honor of the discovery of the relics of the holy martyrs Seraphim and Theognostus of Alma-Ata and Aksai.

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in the Karasu microdistrict of Almaty.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were: the vicar of the Astana diocese, Bishop Benjamin of Talgar; dean of the parishes of Almaty, rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral, Archpriest Valery Zakharov; rector of the Almaty Church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” Archpriest Evgeny Vorobyov, rector of the Church in the name of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine in the village of Arshaly Archpriest Vladimir Zhuchkov, cleric of the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross Hieromonk Levkiy (Ershov), head of the Metropolitan’s personal secretariat Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky) , head of the administrative secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov, custodian of the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Priest Roman Burdukov, custodian of the Kazan Cathedral of Alma-Ata, Priest Georgy Rublinsky, cleric of the Adrian-Natali Church, Priest John Konoplev, Protodeacon Nikolai Grinkevich, Protodeacon Vladimir Syrovatsky, Deacon Alexy Kanushin, deacon John Churkin.

At the beginning of the service, an ark containing particles of the relics of the venerable martyrs Seraphim and Theognostos was delivered to the temple for prayerful worship and spiritual strengthening of the believers.

The chants were performed by the men's choir of the Alma-Ata diocese under the direction of Deacon Alexander Pivnya.

The sermon on the sacramental verse was delivered by Priest John Konoplev.

At the end of the Liturgy, the glorification of the holy venerable martyrs Seraphim and Theognostus was performed in front of the ark with the honorable relics of the sufferers of Christ.

The hierarch sprinkled holy water on those gathered, after which he addressed the believers with a word of edification.

At the end of the service, the Head of the Metropolitan District, in consideration of the diligent archpastoral labors for the benefit of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and in connection with the 65th anniversary of his birth, presented the Vicar of the Astana diocese, Bishop Veniamin of Talgar, with the Order of Holy Confessor Nicholas, Metropolitan of Alma-Ata.

“When we talk about the exploits of the new martyrs and confessors, we understand that it was incomparably harder for them than for us. Today no one threatens us with death, torture, prison, or exile for faith in Christ. But the tragedy is that now, without any coercion, some people stop living a spiritual life and renounce their faith. Others viciously attack the Church in which they were baptized and raised, meticulously look for existing shortcomings, and more often, simply use outright lies. The prophetic word of the Gospel is coming true: “because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (see Matt. 24:12). Indeed, this holy feeling towards both God and neighbor is becoming scarce in people. What can save our society from all these temptations and delusions? Of course, strong faith, the memory of the new martyrs and confessors, who, even under the threat of death, did not renounce God, did not leave the saving church fence. They went to God, their names are already part of history, but this entire host of sufferers lives and continues to carry out their high mission. The new martyrs and confessors became sources of blessed light for our people, glory and adornment of the Church.” From the sermon of Metropolitan Alexander.