Nun Sevastiana (Plotnikova) appointed abbess of the monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Seeking the Lost" in Astana

On July 25, 2024, a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church was held at the Patriarchal and Synodal residence in the Danilov Monastery in Moscow under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'.

The Holy Synod, in connection with the petition of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, decided to appoint nun Sevastiana (Plotnikova) to the position of abbess of the monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Seeking the Lost" in Astana (journal No. 98, paragraph 1, b).

The candidacy of nun Sevastiana (Plotnikova) for the position of abbess was presented by the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan.

Abbess Sevastiana (in the world - Plotnikova Lyudmila) was born on April 19, 1959 in the city of Yesil, Turgai region, Kazakh SSR. She was baptized in 1993 in the Constantine and Helen Church in the city of Akmola. She graduated from a comprehensive school in the city of Yesil. She graduated from the Ural Forestry Institute, specializing in "Economics and organization of the forestry industry and forestry". From 1976 to 1977, she worked as a bus station attendant at the Yesil Automobile Transport Enterprise in the city of Yesil. From 1982 to 1983, she worked as a kindergarten teacher. From 1983 to 1984, she worked as an engineer-technologist at the OSPO "Oblbytradiotekhnika" in the city of Tselinograd. From 1985 to 1986, she worked as a quality engineer at the OSPO "Oblbytradiotekhnika" in the city of Karaganda. From 1987 to 1989, she worked as an engineer-rate setter at OSPO "Mebel" in Tselinograd. From 1992 to 2002, she was engaged in individual entrepreneurship in Astana. From 2002 to 2004, she worked as the head of the sales department at JSC "Sut" in Astana. From 2004 to 2012, she was engaged in individual entrepreneurship in the field of trade in Astana. From 2012 to 2017, she worked as an accountant in the parishes of the Astana deanery.

In 2016, she entered the women's monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Seeking the Lost" in Astana. She carried out obedience in the refectory, hospital, and on the choir of the monastery.

In 2019, she took monastic vows with the name Sebastian in honor of the Monk Sebastian of Karaganda. She learned monastic work from the ever-memorable abbess of the monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Seeking the Lost" Abbess Raphaela (Vasilenko).

In 2021, she graduated from the Theological and Missionary Faculty at the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary.

In 2023, she graduated from the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary.

On February 17, 2024, by decision of the Synod of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, she was appointed acting senior sister of the monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Seeking the Lost" in Astana.