Metropolitan Alexander will deliver the ark with the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker to the Kostanay diocese

March 29, 2024. The archpastoral visit of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan to the Kostanay diocese of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District begins.

Since August 25, 2020, by the decision of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan has been temporarily administering the Kostanay diocese.

For prayerful worship and spiritual support of believers during the days of Great Lent, the archpastor will deliver to the cities of Kostanay and the Ore Ark with part of the relics of Saint and Wonderworker Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia.

On Friday evening, March 29, Metropolitan Alexander will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts with the concelebration of the diocesan clergy at the Cathedral of Constantine and Helena in the city of Kostanay (beginning at 18:00).

On Lenten Memorial Saturday, March 30, the hierarch will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and commemoration of the departed at the St. John the Theological Cathedral in the city of Rudny (beginning at 8:30).

On the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent, March 31, Bishop Metropolitan will lead the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Constantine and Helena in the city of Kostanay (beginning at 9:00).

The program of the archpastoral visit includes: working meetings on issues of diocesan activities; communication with the clergy, meetings with leaders of the region’s secular authorities and representatives of public associations.