On July 14, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the Cosmo-Damian Church under construction in Alma Ata. Upon arrival, the archpastor performed a prayer service to the holy silverless and the consecration of newly armed crosses for the domes of the temple.
The Cosmo-Damian Church is being built in the Southern Capital with charitable donations and donations from believers with the direct support and participation of the Eleos-Meirim Public Foundation headed by President Valery Mikhailovich Kapsamun.
The service was attended by parishioners and benefactors of the church, specialists responsible for the construction, and employees of the Eleos-Meirim public Foundation.
Before the ceremony began, the hierarch greeted the clergy and laity and addressed the audience about the importance of the temple in the life of an Orthodox person.
"I would like to recall the deeply meaningful words of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia: "Whoever builds churches goes down in history. Not just human history. The names of these people are specially recorded in the Book of Life." At each Divine Liturgy, prayers are offered for the builders, donors, and beautifiers of churches, and the memory of all those who served and prayed within their sacred walls is remembered. The noble deeds of the workers and the kind support of the benefactors will never be forgotten by God," said His Eminence.
After reading the prayers for consecration, the Head of the Metropolitan District sprinkled the newly armed crosses with holy water.
At the end of the service, Metropolitan Alexander reminded the audience of the significance of the Cross: "The Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is rightfully called the Altar of God's love, the instrument of our salvation. From the time of the apostles to the present day, the Tree of the Cross has been the subject of the deepest reverence and worship for all true believers in the Gospel truth. Today, you and I have become participants in a spiritually significant event – the consecration of crosses, which will crown the church under construction in the name of the silverless and wonderworkers Cosmas and Damian. These crosses, along with other crosses towering over Alma Ata cathedrals and churches, will sanctify our city, our region, and our country with the grace-filled power of Christ, protect us from all kinds of troubles and disorders, and remind everyone of God's boundless love for humanity."
The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan expressed his gratitude to the rector and the benefactors.