Speech at the presentation of the staff to the abbess of the monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Seeking the Lost" of the city of Astana, Abbess Sevastiana (Plotnikova)

Your Reverence, the most honorable mother Sevastiana!

With the special blessing of God, the sisters of the monastery in honor of the icon of the Queen of Heaven "Seeking the Lost" are now entrusted to your abbess' care. This monastery is unique, since it was created not in times of church prosperity, but in the era of persecution of Holy Orthodoxy. Its founder, the ever-memorable Archimandrite Kirill (Borodin), is revered by a large number of believers in Kazakhstan and abroad as a confessor of faith and an ascetic of piety. He learned the saving lessons of life in Christ from the God-wise elder-saint Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) and the Venerable Sebastian of Karaganda and passed them on to the inhabitants of the monastery. Among the spiritual disciples of Father Kirill was your mentor - the now deceased Abbess Raphaela (Vasilenko). Remember that in monastic life, the continuity of the traditions of fervent prayerful work and tireless humble labors performed for the glory of God is important.

For many years you labored in the monastery under the maternal protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, and now you are entering a new path - the abbess of this monastery. This path is not easy, therefore I urge you to always remember that the true power of God is revealed and triumphs in the submissive following of His good will, which is revealed through obedience to the hierarchy, for God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble (1 Pet. 5:5). You must tirelessly care for the development of all aspects of life in the monastery entrusted to your care, inspire the sisters and pilgrims to joint labors, and kindle the fire of faith in their hearts by your personal example of piety. Fear destructive indifference, sluggishness of soul and petrified insensitivity. Always strive to do only that which corresponds to the will of God, good and perfect (Rom. 12:2). Edifying and instructing with all longsuffering (2 Tim. 4:2), strive in a motherly way to correct and guide the sisters of the monastery and every person in need of spiritual support onto the path of truth. Always remember that it is love that builds the Church, that it is the solid foundation on which every monastic community should be built. “If you think that you love God, but in your heart there lives an unpleasant disposition towards at least one person, then you are in a grievous self-delusion,” warns us Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov). Together with Father Dean Archimandrite Sergius (Karamyshev) and the clergy of the capital's parishes, always strive to be my good helper in various church works in the capital of Kazakhstan - Astana. Remembering the height and responsibility of the abbot's service, draw strength from reading the word of God and the teachings of the Holy Fathers, constant prayer and sincere repentance, and especially - from the communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Strive as often as possible, together with the sisters of the monastery, to participate in the Divine Liturgy, which unites us with God and with each other. With zeal, with ardent faith and unshakable hope, turn to the Lord, the Most Holy Theotokos and to your heavenly patron, the Venerable Confessor Sebastian of Karaganda, so that you and the sisters of the monastery entrusted to your care may unstumblingly follow along the difficult but saving path leading to the eternal Kingdom, prepared from the creation of the world (Matt. 25:34).