Appeal metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan Alexander on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the formation Kazakhstan Metropolitan District

Your Eminences!
All-honorable fathers, dear brothers and sisters!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

I congratulate the episcopate, clergy and God-loving flock on a significant date - the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District.

On Easter days, illuminated by the light of the Resurrection of the Savior we remember how two decades ago the Holy Synod chaired by the ever-memorable His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II established a special canonical structure on the expanses of the Great Steppe - the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan. His Holiness the Patriarch signing the historic decree uttered the following words: “The time has come to change the church structure in Kazakhstan. A multi-million Orthodox population lives there, which needs support in order to ensure the proper role of the Orthodox Church in society and the state. It was necessary to coordinate the activities of the dioceses located on the territory of one country. For this, it was decided to create a Metropolitan District in Kazakhstan.” This event became fateful since the paths for the further development was determined of church life in the young independent Republic.

The history of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan is rooted in ancient times, Christianity was preached in the vastness of Central Asia in apostolic times. In the 19th century, the Turkestan diocese was formed here, the first hierarch of which was Archbishop Sofoniya (Sokolsky), an ascetic and prayer book, a tireless worker in the field of Christ, an apostle of the Great Steppe. For two centuries of active Gospel preaching, which was carried out by active archpastors, clergy and laity, the faith of Christ has been significantly strengthened and brought abundant fruit in the land of Kazakhstan. Evidence of this was beautiful churches and monastic cloisters, and most importantly the feat of faith and piety, which was shown by numerous ascetics and church workers, among whom a host of new martyrs and confessors occupies a special place. It is no coincidence that Kazakhstan is called "antimension, stretched out in the open air." The names of the Confessor Nicholas, the Metropolitan of Alma-Ata, the Hieromartyr Pimen, the Bishop of Vernensky, the Monk Confessor Sebastian of Karaganda and many other sufferers for the name of Christ are inscribed in golden letters in the history of Orthodoxy. We believe that their prayerful intercession helps us and strengthens all those who carry church obedience in the Metropolitan District, who live and work here.

To this date, the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, which initially included only three dioceses - Alma-Ata, Ural and Chimkent - already consists of 10 dioceses. There is a Synod that organizes, coordinates and controls all the diversity of church life in our country. In Astana, Alma-Ata, Ust-Kamenogorsk and Kustanai, spiritual, cultural and administrative centers are open and actively working. For more than 10 years, the higher educational institution of the Metropolitan District, the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary has been training clergy. In the Kazakh dioceses, along with the revival of destroyed shrines and the construction of new churches, the creation and development of educational centers continues, all kinds of cultural, social and youth projects are being implemented in the parishes. All these works are our response to the call of the Lord: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15). Saving faith, according to the Apostle Paul, is planted in the hearts of people through hearing through the word about Christ (Rom. 10:17). Today, when hostile forces are trying to oust spiritual ideals and traditional moral values from public life, we Orthodox Christians and especially the servants of the Lord's altar, need to tirelessly testify to those near and far that only in Christ Crucified and Risen is true life found - and abundant life (John 10:10). Now we have many opportunities for this, the main thing is not to lose precious time, not to succumb to the spirit of laziness or carelessness. To the darkness of this age (Eph. 6:12) we can and must oppose our filial trust in God and His Providence, firm standing in the Gospel truth, adherence to the centuries-old foundations of Orthodoxy. Only adherence to the eternal and unchanging Divine commandments is able to overcome difficulties, trials and disorder both in personal and in public life. Until the end of time, the Church of Christ will carry this life-affirming truth to the whole world.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35), the Lord instructs. We are called to show active concern for our neighbors, among whom there are many who are in need, who are sick, who are grieving and who are destitute. To comfort and support in trials, to inspire hope for overcoming life's difficulties, to encourage with a word and provide assistance - all this is the sacred duty of every true believer. “For we,” says the apostle, “are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10).

Of particular concern today is the threat to church unity on the scale of Universal Orthodoxy. Therefore, in this difficult period it is necessary for all of us with zeal and hope in the mercy of God to offer up prayers for the preservation of the Church of Christ from divisions and schisms, from enmity and discord. Let us zealously guard the church unity commanded by the Lord. Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer warns: “Do not delude yourself, my brothers, whoever follows the one who leads into schism, he will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” I appeal to you with an apostolic call, make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3).

Remembering the path traversed by the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan in the recent historical period, we will try to draw lessons from it, to impartially assess what has already been done for the development of spiritual life in our country and where else a special application of strength and talent is required. It is important to understand that before all of us, archpastors, clergymen, monastics and laity, new difficult tasks arise - in the conditions of the modern world, torn apart by contradictions and conflicts, suffering from cruelty and indifference, to preach the Gospel in word and deed, to proclaim the manifestation for the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people (Titus 2:11).

May the three-day resurrected Christ the Savior by the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, by the prayers of the new martyrs and confessors and all the saints, grant us that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Tim. 2:2), strengthen us with the power of His strength (Eph. 6:10) and will help us in the coming years to work unlazy for the good of our native Orthodoxy, for the good of our neighbor, for the prosperity of the blessed land of Kazakhstan.

CHRIST IS RISEN - TRULY IS RISEN!

HEAD OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF KAZAKHSTAN

METROPOLITAN OF ASTANAI AND KAZAKHSTAN