Metropolitan Alexander performed the Liturgy at the Peter and Paul Church in Alma-Ata

December 30, 2023 is the day of remembrance of the holy prophet Daniel and the youths Ananias, Azariah and Misail (600 BC).

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan performed the Divine Liturgy in the church in the name of the supreme apostles Peter and Paul in the city of Alma-Ata.

The Head of the Metropolitan District was concelebrated by: rector of the Peter and Paul Church Archpriest Vladimir Shklyar, custodian of the Ascension Cathedral, head of the Metropolitan District's public relations department Archpriest Alexander Suvorov, cleric of the Peter and Paul Church Archpriest Kirill Shklyar, head of the Metropolitan's personal secretariat Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky), head of the administrative secretariat of the Chapter Metropolitan District Priest Georgy Sidorov, Priest Kirill Gromov, Protodeacon Nikolai Grinkevich, head of the Metropolitan Protocol Service Protodeacon Roman Golovin, Protodeacon Vladimir Syrovatsky, Deacon Konstantin Chupachenko, Deacon John Churkin, Deacon Sergiy Slesarchuk.

The choir of the Peter and Paul Church sang under the direction of I.N. Korovina.

The Hierarch offered prayers for the increase of love and the eradication of all hatred and malice.

The sermon after the sacramental verse was delivered by Priest Georgy Sidorov.

At the end of the Liturgy, glorification of the honored saints took place, after which Metropolitan Alexander delivered a word of teaching.

His Eminence sprinkled the believers with holy water.

“Lent is the time when, in the words of the apostle: “The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber” (Rom. 13:11). We are called by the Church to wake up from sinful oblivion, to break out of the cycle of vanity and languor of the spirit (see Ecc. 1:14) and remember the true meaning of life, the purpose of human existence on earth, remember that “Our citizenship is in Heaven” (Phil. 3:20). Fasting is the time when we, overcoming selfishness and arrogance, again put the Lord at the center of our lives, building the only correct coordinate system of our existence. Fasting is the time of our return to the Heavenly Father through repentance and participation in the sacraments of the Church - Confession and Holy Communion. The feat of fasting includes intense prayer and diligence in visiting church. Another component of it will be careful reading and study of the word of God - the Holy Scriptures. Another important aspect is necessary in completing the field of the Nativity Fast. In the words of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh, “our limitation of ourselves in everything unnecessary, in everything superfluous, should bring benefit and joy to other people.” The Apostle Paul calls on us: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience... And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Col. 3:12,14). On these holy days, let us hasten, if possible, to share material resources with those in need, visit the sick and weak, encourage the discouraged, warm the heart of everyone who seeks consolation with a kind word, let us try to see in our neighbors the image of Christ Himself.” From the sermon of Metropolitan Alexander.