On the eve of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, Metropolitan Alexander celebrated the Liturgy at the Cathedral of Constantine and Helena in Astana

April 6, 2024 – the forefeast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Day of Remembrance of the Hieromartyr Vladimir, Presbyter of the Annunciation, Petropavlovsk.

Metropolitan Alexander performed the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in the oldest church in the city of Astana - the Cathedral of Constantine and Helena.

His Eminence was co-served by: the dean of the parishes of the capital, Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev), the rector of the church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in the city of Alma-Ata, Archpriest Evgeniy Vorobyov, the confessor of the Astana convent in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Recovery of the Lost,” Hieromonk Modest (Drozdov ), the keymaster of the Assumption Cathedral, Archpriest Dimitry Baidek, the head of the personal secretariat of the Metropolitan, Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky), the head of the administrative secretariat of the Head of the Metropolitan District, Priest Georgy Sidorov; Protodeacon Nikolai Grinkevich, Protodeacon Vladimir Syrovatsky, Deacon John Yanchuk, Deacon Sergiy Slesarchuk.

During the service they prayed: nuns of the monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost”; employees of the diocesan administration, pilgrims and parishioners of the temple.

The choir of the Cathedral of Constantine and Helena sang under the direction of N.V. Mazurina.

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

The sermon on the sacramental verse was delivered by Hieromonk Modest (Drozdov).

At the end of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Alexander congratulated the clergy and parishioners on the pre-feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and addressed those gathered with words of archpastoral teaching.

At the end of the service, the Head of the Metropolitan District, in consideration of his work for the benefit of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and in connection with the 50th anniversary of his birth, awarded Hieromonk Modest (Drozdov) with the Order of Hieroconfessor Nicholas, Metropolitan of Alma-Ata and Kazakhstan. Having congratulated the awardee, the bishop wished him God's help in his further work for the good of the Church of Christ. The clergy and choir sang many years to Father Modest.