Service of the vicars of the Astana diocese on the 9th week after Pentecost

On August 25, 2024, on the 9th week after Pentecost, the afterfeast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the vicars of the Astana diocese celebrated Sunday services in the churches of the southern capital.

The Administrator of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, led the Liturgy in the Ascension Cathedral of Alma-Ata.

The Archpastor was assisted by: the spiritual father of the Alma-Ata Diocese, Archimandrite John (Sazonov), the head of the Metropolitan's personal secretariat, Hieromonk Prokhor (Endovitsky), Protodeacon Nikolai Grinkevich, Deacon Andrei Pleten, Hierodeacon Sofonia (Mazurenko), Deacon Alexander Piven, Deacon John Zhuchkov.

The chants were performed by the Metropolitan District Choir (choirmaster - Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov, choirmaster - V. Dudareva) and the Ascension Cathedral Choir (choirmaster - N. Zubrevich).

At the end of the Liturgy, Bishop Gennady thanked the clergy and all the participants in the service for their common prayer and addressed those present with words of edification.

Vicar of the Astana Diocese Bishop of Taldykorgan Klavdian celebrated the Liturgy in the representative office of the Taldykorgan Vicariate - the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Alatau microdistrict of the city of Almaty.

His Grace was assisted by: Archimandrite Gabriel (Tutberidze), Archpriest Vladimir Glukhikh, Priest Nikolai Matlashov, Deacon Rustik Yakupov.

The choir of the Annunciation Church sang under the direction of A. Averianova.

The following prayed at the Liturgy: Orthodox residents of the Alatau microdistrict and believers from surrounding settlements.

At the end of the service, Bishop Klavdian congratulated the worshipers on Sunday and delivered a sermon.

Vicar of the Astana Diocese Bishop Veniamin of Talgar celebrated the Liturgy in the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the Karasu microdistrict of Almaty.

The hierarch was assisted by: the sacristan of the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross Priest Roman Burdukov, clergy of the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross Hieromonk Levkiy (Ershov), and Deacon Pavel Kornienko.

The chants of the Liturgy were performed by the choir of the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in the southern capital under the direction of N. Burdukova.

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

At the end of the Liturgy, Bishop Veniamin congratulated the worshipers on the holiday of the “little Easter” – Sunday, and gave a word of instruction.