Fortieth day of the repose of Archbishop Serapion of Kokshetau and Akmola

March 8, 2025 it is 40th day since the repose of Archbishop Serapion of Kokshetau and Akmola.

After the Liturgy in the St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Southern capital, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the funeral litiya for the newly departed hierarch.

Praying at the service were: the dean of the churches of Almaty, the rector of the St. Nicholas Cathedral, Archpriest Valery Zakharov; Honored Artist of Russia, member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Church Singing O.N. Ovchinnikov; the key keeper of the St. Nicholas Cathedral, Archpriest Igor Svetlichny, Hieromonk Dimitry (Baidek), clergy and believers of the churches of the Southern capital.

Archbishop Serapion departed to the Lord on the night of January 27-28, 2025, at the age of 61. The newly departed hierarch was buried at the altar of the Michael the Archangel Cathedral in the city of Kokshetau.

In his speech about the deceased archpastor, the Metropolitan said: “At a young age, Archbishop Serapion chose the path of serving God and neighbor in monasticism and holy orders, and throughout his life he labored for the glory of the Lord, devoting his strength and talents to the benefit of the Church of Christ, taking care that the word of God grows and spreads (Acts 12:24). Being a native of Kazakhstan, he loved this ancient blessed land. With humility and trust in the all-wise Providence of God, the late Bishop bore the cross of archpastoral work. Unexpectedly for all of us, the Almighty called to Himself His faithful servant, who invariably strove "to be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12). May Christ, the Giver of life and the Conqueror of death, forgive the newly departed Archbishop Serapion every sin, voluntary and involuntary, settle his soul in the heavenly mansions, where the righteous rest, and grant him eternal and blessed memory."