Metropolitan Alexander consecrated the new iconostasis of the Archangel Michael Church in the village of Turgen

January 8, 2024. Alma-Ata region, Enbekshikazakh district. On the feast of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the church in the name of the Archangel Michael in the village of Turgen with Christmas glorification.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan consecrated the newly built iconostasis, created with the support of the Apostle public foundation, headed by the president of the organization, Georgy Gennadievich Sosnovsky.

Together with the Metropolitan, the following people prayed at the rite of consecration and glorification of the feast of the Nativity of Christ in the revived ancient church: the vicar of the Astana diocese, Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan; rector of the Archangel Michael Church, Hieromonk Varsanuphius (Larionov); Acting Dean of the Talgar Church District, cleric of the St. Nicholas Church in the city of Talgar, Priest Kirill Freygang; the head of the administrative secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov, the head of the Metropolitan Protocol Service, Protodeacon Roman Golovin; clergy of the Talgar deanery.

The honorary guests of the festive event were clergy of the Georgian Orthodox Church: Deputy Head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Georgian Patriarchate Archpriest Archil Khachidze, Head of the Public Relations Department of the Georgian Patriarchate Archpriest Georgiy Pirtskhelani and Archimandrite Gabriel (Tutberidze) - the shepherd caring for the Georgian diaspora of the Alma-Ata region.

The consecration was attended by the President of the Apostle Public Foundation G.G. Sosnovsky.

Orthodox believers from the village of Turgen and nearby settlements arrived at the church to pray at the rite of consecration of the iconostasis and receive a blessing from the Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District.

The men's choir of the Alma-Ata diocese under the direction of Deacon Alexander Pivny sang.

The new three-tier iconostasis of the Archangel Michael Church, elegantly decorated with carved details, was made of oak by Alma-Ata craftsmen in the style of the 19th century. Icons for the iconostasis in the traditions of Old Russian and Palekh masters were created by icon painter Galina Kiseleva, who previously worked on the paintings of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of Alma-Ata and the Gavrilovsky Church in the city of Taldykorgan.

Before the rite of consecration, Metropolitan Alexander congratulated everyone present in the church on the holiday of peace and God's love for people - the Nativity of Christ. The hierarch reminded parishioners of the importance of love for the temple and church services. “The Holy Fathers and teachers of the Church, who lived both in ancient times and in the recent past, said: “The Temple is the earthly heaven.” For a Christian, a temple is the most dear and beloved place on earth, since it is spiritual transformation and purification of human nature takes place. Here, in the baptismal font, our church path begins, here a person’s earthly existence ends with the prayerful parting words of the Mother Church. Through Confession, sins are forgiven and spiritual infirmities are healed by Divine grace, and by partaking of the Divine Liturgy of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, the believer partakes of the true Body and Blood of the Savior “for the remission of sins and eternal life.” Every moment of human existence is sanctified in the temple through sacraments and sacred rites,” the Metropolitan emphasized.

After reading the statutory prayers, Metropolitan Alexander sprinkled the newly built iconostasis with holy water. Next, the glorification of the Nativity of Christ took place, at the end of which the Head of the Orthodox Church said words of gratitude to the rector and benefactors.
The archpastor expressed special gratitude to the director and staff of the Apostle Foundation, as well as to the craftsmen who created the iconostasis and to the isographer Galina Kiseleva.

“Today we consecrated the newly built iconostasis of the church in the name of the Archangel Michael of God. This temple is a recreated shrine. With the diligence of the believing people, with the kind support of benefactors, St. Michael's Church was erected on the site of an ancient temple, which was seriously damaged in 2018 by the fire. Saint John Chrysostom teaches: “One thing Lord have mercy, said in church, is more effective than a thousand bows made at home.” Therefore, on Sundays and holidays, with a joyful heart, let us rush under these sacred arches “to serve the living and true God” (Heb. 9:14). And not only will we ourselves come under the blessed protection of the church, but also teach our children and grandchildren to honor the temple of God and love divine services - the most important of which is the Divine Liturgy, after which the sacred Sacrifice of the Eucharist and our Communion of the Life-giving Body and Blood of the Savior are celebrated,” he addressed Metropolitan Alexander to the participants of the celebration. The head of the Metropolitan District reminded those present of the words of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: “He who builds and restores churches goes down in history. Not just human history. The names of these people are specially written in the Book of Life.”

The archpastor blessed the clergy and believers with the altar cross and sprinkled them with holy water.

On the same day, Metropolitan Alexander visited the church in the name of the Great Martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa in the city of Talgar, where he was met by the rector, Archpriest Vladimir Bartashevich. The archpastor got acquainted with the condition of the church building and temple grounds, after which he held a working meeting with the rector. The hierarch noted that the temple, created in 1942 by the holy confessor Metropolitan Nicholas (Mogilevsky) on the site of a destroyed ancient church, will celebrate 20 years since its revival in 2025. The Metropolitan emphasized that by this time it is necessary to intensify parish life and renew the pious tradition of veneration in the city and its environs of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva, which had died out during the years of godless persecution.

The head of the Metropolitan District glorified the Nativity of Christ in the St. Nicholas Church in the city of Talgar. After communicating with clergy and parish activists, the archpastor gave a number of instructions regarding the further development of educational activities.