The Vladimir Temple in Almaty hosted a ceremony of joining the Cossacks and a festival of traditional Cossack culture

On August 18, 2024, on the 8th week after Pentecost, after the Divine Liturgy, the Vladimir Cathedral in Almaty hosted the ceremony of taking the oath (swearing-in) by young Cossacks and the festival of traditional Cossack culture.

The event was supported by the Russian House in Almaty.

The following took part in the celebration: the ataman of the Republican
public association "Union of Cossacks of Semirechye" (SKS),
the chairman of the Almaty city branch of the ALE "Association
of Russian, Slavic and Cossack Organizations of Kazakhstan", member of the "Assembly
of the People of Kazakhstan" V.S. Shikhotov, the chairman of the Council of Elders
SKS V.R. Popov, the deputy chairman of the Council of Elders SKS V.V.
Tanyshev; members of the Council of Elders: V.K. Izyumnikov, Yu.G. Yakubovsky, M.V. Molchanov, A.V. Shelekhov, representatives of the Consulate General and Rossotrudnichestvo in the city of Alma-Ata.

Before taking the oath, the Cossacks prayed at the Liturgy, confessed and received the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the young people were sworn in by Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Administrator of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, and Ataman of the Union of Cossacks of Semirechye V.S. Shikhotov. The young men took the oath of allegiance to the Orthodox faith, the Fatherland and the Cossacks. The young Cossacks venerated the Gospel and the Cross, the Cossack banner, and the archpastor sprinkled them with holy water.

Then the bishop addressed the audience with instructions, telling about the
significance of the Cossack movement in the revival of the Orthodox spiritual
culture and the importance of observing Cossack traditions. Bishop Gennady
wished the new recruits good health and success in
serving God, the Church and the Fatherland.

The Semirechye Cossacks were replenished with 9 people: M.N. Golota, D.V. Shepelev,
D.A. Nabugornov, P.S. Matsutsin, M.D. Chernets, T.V. Sukhorukov, V.M. Gerber, G.V. Sukhorukov.

A festival of Cossack culture was held at the end of the ceremony. Members of the "Union of Cossacks of Semirechye" performed in front of the audience with the Cossack lezginka and elements of flanking with traditional weapons, after which the folklore ensembles of South Kazakhstan presented a festive concert.

A common meal was held at the end of the event.