An altar cross that belonged to the elder saint was transferred to the funds of the Museum of Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov)

February 1, 2024. Alma-Ata. In the spiritual, cultural and administrative center of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan a working meeting was held between Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan with the rector of the Seraphim Church in the village of Chapaevo, Archpriest Alexander Ageev.

The meeting was attended by: acting rector of the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary, head of the information and publishing department of the Metropolitan District, Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov; head of the administrative secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov; Head of the Metropolitan Protocol Service, Protodeacon Roman Golovin.

Archpriest Alexander handed over to the Head of the Metropolitan District for the house-museum of Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) an altar cross of the late 19th century that belonged to the saint. According to the shepherd, in the 70s the elder gave the cross, located in the cell of Bishop Joseph, to his spiritual child - the ever-memorable Archpriest Gennady Ageev, the father of Archpriest Alexander. From that time on, the relic was kept in the cleric's family.

Metropolitan Alexander gratefully accepted the shrine and noted that the unique exhibits collected in the house-museum will help visitors feel the atmosphere of genuine kindness and philanthropy that surrounded Bishop Joseph, feel his human modesty and simplicity, and touch the holiness of his life.

The opening of the memorial house of Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) is planned for early 2025, which will mark the 50th anniversary of the elder saint’s repose in the Lord.

The future museum is located in Almaty on Ashimbaev Street, not far from the Iversko-Seraphim Monastery. In the 60-70s of the last century, the Alma-Ata diocesan administration was located in this house, where the blessed bishop worked and lived for some time. A memorial office for the saint will be organized in the restored building and exhibitions dedicated to his life and works will be located.

Previously, the following items were transferred to the museum fund: a bishop's staff, a sakkos, a monastic paraman, a rosary, a staff, an official, a menaion, handwritten books, a table clock and other items that belonged to the outstanding hierarch.