On October 10, 2026, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, during a visit to the Shymkent diocese, visited Lisya Balka, the place of the suffering death of many Orthodox archpastors, pastors, monastics and laity (now it is an area within the city of Shymkent).
At the cross of worship, the head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District celebrated a requiem mass for "archpastors, pastors, monastics and laity in the land of Kazakhstan in a time of fierce persecution for the truth of God, the Church of Christ, who suffered, and in this place were unjustly tortured and killed."
After the funeral service, the head of the Metropolitan Area consecrated the memorial church of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Shymkent, located here in Lisya Balka, which is being built on the initiative and with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
To date, the main construction work in the temple has been completed; under the guidance of highly qualified specialists, the interior decoration, interior decoration and landscaping of the surrounding area continue.
Before the ceremony, Metropolitan Alexander addressed the faithful with a welcoming speech.
"God, who is glorified in the company of saints, has given us the joy and grace—filled opportunity to participate in a historic event - the consecration of a church in the name of the Cathedral of the New Martyrs of Shymkent in the land of Southern Kazakhstan. The new temple was built in a special place — in the world-famous Lisya Gully. Countless believers, archpastors and pastors, monastics and laypeople, suffered here for the name of Christ and found their final resting place. This temple is unique in that His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia initiated its creation. Our Primate learned about the existence of Lisyaya Balka and the tragic events that took place here at a young age from his pious relatives. His Holiness shared the ideas of creating a memorial church in Shymkent with the leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan and found a lively response in the person of President Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev. This is how this place was decorated with a memorial church, in which we will glorify the new martyrs and prayerfully remember all the innocent victims in the year of fierce persecution," the archpastor noted, in particular.
After reading the prescribed prayers, Vladyka sprinkled the interiors of the temple with consecrated water.
The head of the Metropolitan District congratulated Bishop Chrysanthos, the clergy and the Orthodox community of Shymkent on a significant event in the spiritual life of the city and all of Kazakhstan — the consecration of a new church, after which he addressed words of heartfelt gratitude to all those who, through prayer, sacrifice or personal participation, helped and continues to support the construction of a church dedicated to the Shymkent New Martyrs.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the benefactors and beautifiers, thank everyone who contributed to the construction of the church of the New Martyrs of Shymkent and recall the words of His Holiness filled with deep meaning.: "The one who builds temples goes down in history. Not just human history. The names of these people are specially recorded in the Book of Life." It is gratifying that the authorities of the city of Shymkent responded to the requests of the diocese and provided good assistance in this noble cause. God grant that the cooperation of the Church and society, the state and traditional faiths does not cease and continues to serve the benefit of our common home, blessed Kazakhstan," said His Eminence.
Then Bishop Gennady read out the greeting of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on the occasion of the consecration of the Church of the New Martyrs of Shymkent.
The congratulatory addresses of Ambassador of the Russian Federation A.N. Borodavkin and Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus A.I. Bogdanov were announced by Consul General of Russia in Alma Ata D.A. Turaev and Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Alma Ata D.V. Meleshkin. 
The priest of the Roman Catholic parish of Shymkent, Lorenzo Senachioli, read out the congratulations of the Vatican Ambassador, Archbishop George Panamthundil. 
Metropolitan Alexander presented Bishop Chrysanthos with a certificate of consecration of the temple and an icon of the New Martyrs and confessors of Kazakhstan with fragments of the venerable relics of saints of God. 
In conclusion, the head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District presented church tokens of attention to those who worked hard in the construction of the memorial church. 
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The monument church in Lisyaya Balka, the site of the suffering death and burial of countless Orthodox archpastors, pastors, monastics and laity, is being built with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia at the expense of benefactors and voluntary donations from believers. Lisya Balka became the place of execution and the final resting place of thousands of Orthodox Christians. Among them are prominent spiritual figures of the last century — Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan (Smirnov), Metropolitan Joseph (Petrov), Archbishop Alexy (Orlov), Bishop Evgeny (Kobranov), many other archpastors and pastors, and countless ordinary believers. Many of their relatives were waiting for the construction of the temple at the place of the martyrdom and burial of countless people. The descendants of the victims not only from Kazakhstan, but also from near and far abroad — Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, the USA, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Argentina and other countries - petitioned for the creation of a memorial chapel in Lisya Balka.