The head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan congratulates the authorities, teachers and students of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary on his name day

To the head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan

Your Eminence, Most Reverend Lord!

On the feast day of the saints especially revered by our people - the faithful Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky and the seer of the Life-Giving Trinity, the Venerable Alexander of Svir - you prayerfully celebrate your name day.

Rejoicing with you on this day, we, your spiritual children, offer sincere prayers to the Creator and Giver of all blessings for you, our archpastor and father. This year marks the 35th anniversary of your hierarchical work. In your diverse labors for the good of your native Orthodoxy and the glory of the Holy Church, you invariably strive to do everything in the name of Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col. 3:17).

For almost 15 years, by the will of the Creator, you have been bearing the cross of archpastoral ministry in Kazakhstan, caring for the comprehensive arrangement of church life in this ancient land, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing (2 Thess. 1:3). You invariably have special care for spiritual education and enlightenment.

Among the instructions that you address to those in authority, teaching, and learning, there is a remarkable saying of the Venerable Pimen the Great, addressed to everyone who wants to be happy: “We must pray a lot, work a lot, and do good to people.” You have made these wise words the motto of your life. May God grant that we, too, while under your holy omophorion, may we accept this sacred command and always be guided by it.

We wish you, dear Vladyka, the mercy of God and blessed success in your apostolic work for the benefit of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan under the prayerful protection of the Queen of Heaven, the faithful Prince Alexander Nevsky, the Venerable Alexander of Svir and the host of new martyrs and confessors who shone forth on the land of Kazakhstan. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Gal. 5:6), shine brightly to all people. Εἰς πολλὰ ἔτη, δέσποτα!

Asking for the holy prayers and blessing,

the disciples of Your Eminence:
acting Rector Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov,
administration, teachers and students of the
Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary