On November 4, 2026, on the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan led the celebrations on the occasion of the patronal feast of the Kazan Cathedral of Alma Ata, the oldest temple in the city. On the same day, the foundation of a new spiritual, cultural and youth center in the name of St. Spyridon of Trimifunt took place.
The head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Kazan Cathedral, co-served by Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Bishop Claudian of Taldykorgan and numerous clergy. Parishioners and Orthodox residents of the city prayed during the service.
A special shrine of the cathedral is the venerated Kazan icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, given to the temple in 1967 by Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov). For the patronal feast, Metropolitan Alexander also delivered to the temple a copy of the ancient Kazan miraculous icon of the Mother of God, located in Kazan.
After the Liturgy, there was a glorification in front of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and a procession. A requiem mass was celebrated at the altar of the cathedral in memory of the clergy, builders, benefactors and parishioners buried on the territory of the temple.
Metropolitan Alexander consecrated new marble tombstone crosses made with the support of the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation. Their installation became part of the work on the improvement of the historical necropolis of the Kazan Cathedral and the preservation of the memory of the clergy of the Alma Ata diocese.
An important event of the festive day was the laying of the spiritual, cultural and youth center in the name of St. Spyridon of Trimifunt. Metropolitan Alexander performed the rite of consecration of the foundation stone of the future building.
Addressing the audience, the archpastor emphasized the importance of spiritual education for children and adults, the study of the Orthodox faith, history and cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.
After the prayer service, a capsule with a certificate signed by the head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District was placed at the base of the future building.
The new center will become a platform for education, creativity and communication. It is planned to house a Sunday school, educational and music classes, facilities for youth meetings, an icon painting workshop, a recording studio, an assembly and sports halls.
The construction of the center will be carried out with the support of the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation.
Photo: A. Shcheglov.