Metropolitan Alexander has served his spiritual calling for 30 years

Metropolitan Alexander (Mogilev)

Alexander (Mogilev)
(born 1957), Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan, head of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan, temporary administrator of the Kostanay diocese, permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, member of the presidium and chairman of the Commission on issues of attitude towards heterodoxy and others religions of the Inter-Council presence of the Russian Orthodox Church in the world Mogilev Alexander Gennadievich, was born on May 18, 1957 in the city of Kirov in a working-class family.

On August 1, 1983, he was ordained a deacon, and the next day a priest.

In December 1983 he was appointed keymaster, and in November 1987 - rector of the Seraphim Cathedral in the city of Kirov.

In 1985 he was elevated to the rank of archpriest.

From 1986 to 1989 - secretary of the Kirov diocesan administration.

On September 13, 1989, by resolution of the Holy Synod, he was determined to be the Bishop of Kostroma and Galich. On September 21 of the same year he was tonsured a monk, and on September 24 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

On September 27, 1989 he was consecrated Bishop of Kostroma and Galich. The ordination at the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral in Moscow was led by Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan) of Rostov and Novocherkassk. Concelebrating with him were: Archbishops of Vladimir and Suzdal Valentin (Mishchuk), Krasnodar and Kuban Isidor (Kirichenko), Kirov and Slobodsk Chrysanthus (Chepil), Bishops of Philippopolis Niphon (Saikali) (Antiochian Orthodox Church), Kalinin and Kashinsky Victor (Oleynik) and Azov Sergius (Poletkin).

In 1990 - deputy of the Kostroma Regional Council of People's Deputies.

On January 25, 1991, he was elected chairman of the All-Church Orthodox Youth Movement at the First Congress of Orthodox Youth.

In April 1992, he was elected by the Council of Bishops as chairman of the Commission to study the activities of intelligence services in the Church.

Archbishop Alexander (Mogilev)

On February 25, 1994, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop.
Since November 11, 1994, he has been a member of the Youth Affairs Council under the President of Russia.

From December 28, 2000 to October 6, 2010, he was chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs.

In 2005 he graduated from St. Petersburg Law University with a degree in law.

On July 27, 2009, he became a member of the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church. From January 29, 2010 to October 23, 2014 - member of the Commission on Church Administration and Mechanisms for Implementing Conciliarity in the Church of the Inter-Council Presence [1].

On March 5, 2010, he was appointed Archbishop of Astana and Alma-Ata, head of the metropolitan district in the Republic of Kazakhstan, acting chairman of the Department for Youth Affairs.

Since July 26 of the same year, the head of the “Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan” has been called “Astana and Kazakhstan.”

On July 28, 2010, he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan.

From October 6, 2010 to February 20, 2011, he temporarily ruled the newly formed Karaganda and Shakhty diocese.

On October 5, 2011, he was included in the permanent members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church by department, and was appointed temporary manager of the newly formed Kokshetau and Akmola diocese until October 23, 2013 [2].

On March 14, 2012, he was appointed rector of the Church of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Nadezhda, Love and their mother Sophia at the Miusskoye Cemetery - the newly formed representation of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He was a member of the Biblical and Theological Synodal Commissions.

Full member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences in the sociology section (since November 28, 1996); Honorary Doctor of the Moscow State Academy of Fine Chemical Technology named after M.V. Lomonosov (from May 15, 2002); honorary doctor of the Russian State Social University (since May 2, 2007); Doctor of Theology, Uzhgorod Ukrainian Theological Academy named after. Saints Cyril and Methodius (27.10.2008).

On October 20, 2010, he was elected to the Council of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. On July 26, 2011, he was added to the Human Rights Commission under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Presidential Decree No. 128).

On October 23, 2014, he was introduced to the presidium of the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church and appointed chairman of the Commission on the attitude towards heterodoxy and other religions of the Inter-Council Presence [3].

On August 25, 2021, he was also appointed temporary administrator of the Kostanay diocese [4].

Essays

“The Hieromartyr Nicodemus, Archbishop of Kostroma and Galich (1868-1938)” (PhD thesis)
“The Hieromartyr Nicodemus: a life given to God and people” (Kostroma, 2001)
“The Miraculous Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God” (Kostroma, 2003)
“Hieromartyr Archpriest Joseph Smirnov (1864-1918)” (Kostroma, 2003)
“Reverend Timon, Elder of Nadeevsky” (Kostroma, 2004)
“History of the establishment of the Kostroma diocese” (Kostroma, 2004)
“Kostroma Hodegetria. The miraculous Smolensk fresco icon of the Mother of God" (Kostroma, 2005)

In total, he has 115 scientific articles and publications.

Russian Orthodox Church

Permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church

Born on May 18, 1957 in Kirov into a working-class family, he was baptized in honor of St. blgv. book Alexander Nevsky.

In 1977-79 studied at the Leningrad Theological Seminary, which he graduated in two years. In 1979 he was sent to Kirov, where until 1983 he was the personal secretary of the Bishop of Kirov and Slobodsk Chrysanf (Chepil). In 1990, he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy with a candidate's degree in theology (theme of the work: “The Hieromartyr Nicodemus, Archbishop of Kostroma and Galich (1868-1938)”).

On August 1, 1983, Bishop Chrysanthos of Kirov ordained him a deacon, and the next day he was ordained a priest. In 1985 he was elevated to the rank of archpriest. In December 1983 he was appointed keymaster, and in November 1987 - rector of the Seraphim Cathedral in Kirov. In 1986-89 - Secretary of the Kirov Diocesan Administration.

On September 13, 1989, His Holiness Patriarch Pimen and the Holy Synod elected Bishop of Kostroma and Galich.

On September 21, 1989, he was tonsured a monk with the name Alexander in honor of St. Alexander Svirsky, on September 24 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.

On September 27, 1989, in the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow, he was consecrated Bishop of Kostroma and Galich. The consecration was led by the manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk Vladimir (Sabodan).

In 1990 - deputy of the Kostroma Regional Council of People's Deputies.

On January 25, 1991, at the First Congress of Orthodox Youth, he was elected Chairman of the All-Church Orthodox Youth Movement.

In April 1992, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church elected chairman of the Commission to study the activities of the intelligence services in the Church.

On November 11, 1994, he was included in the Council for Youth Affairs under the President of Russia.

On February 25, 1994 he was elevated to the rank of archbishop.

In 2000-2010 - Chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of March 5, 2010, he was released from the management of the Kostroma diocese and appointed manager of the Astana diocese (magazine No. 5). Also, by the decision of the Synod, Archbishop Alexander was blessed to temporarily fulfill the duties of chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of July 26, 2010 (magazine No. 68), Archbishop Alexander, as the head of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan, was awarded the title “Astana and Kazakhstan.”

On July 28, 2010, during a service in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill elevated him to the rank of metropolitan.

On October 20, 2010, he was elected to the Council of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of October 6, 2010 (journal No. 98), he was relieved of his post as acting. Chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs.

On July 26, 2011, he was added to the Human Rights Commission under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Presidential Decree No. 128).

By the decision of the Holy Synod of October 5-6, 2011 (magazine No. 99), he was appointed a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

From October 2011 to October 2013, he temporarily ruled the Kokshetau diocese.

By order of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill dated March 14, 2012, he was appointed rector of the Church of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia at the Miusskoe cemetery in Moscow - the Patriarchal Metochion and Representative Office of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of August 25, 2021 (journal No. 57), the temporary administration of the Kostanay diocese was entrusted.

Awards

Church:

Order of St. blg. book Daniil of Moscow II degree (1997)
Order of St. Innocent of Moscow III degree (1999)
Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh II degree (2002)
Order of St. Nestor the Chronicler, 1st degree (2004, UOC)
Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov II degree (2007)
Order of St. St. Andrew the First-Called (2011, Bulgarian Orthodox Church)
Synodal Order of the Sign, 1st degree (2011, ROCOR)
Order of St. ap. Andrew the First-Called (2012, UOC, in connection with the 55th anniversary of his birth) [5]
Order of St. equal to Mary Magdalene (2012, Polish Orthodox Church)
golden star (order) of St. equal to app. Methodius and Cyril (2012, Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia)
Order of St. equal to book Vladimir II degree (2012, in connection with the 55th anniversary of his birth) [6]
Order of the Holy Confessor Nicholas, Metropolitan of Alma-Ata (2013)
memorial panagia (2014, in honor of the name day and the 25th anniversary of the episcopal consecration) [7]
second panagia (December 4, 2021, in accordance with the new Regulations on awards of the Russian Orthodox Church [8])

Secular:

Order of Friendship (1994)
Order of Honor (1999)
Order of Honor (2000, Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic)
anniversary medal “For services to the city of Kostroma” (2002)
Order of the Governor of the Kostroma Region “Labor. Valor. Honor." (2004)
Order of Labor Glory (2007, Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic)
medal “For Faith and Goodness” (2007, Kemerovo region)
Medal "For Merit to the Astrakhan Region" (2008)
title “Honorary Citizen of the Kostroma Region” (2009, in connection with the 20th anniversary of archpastoral service) [9]
Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV class. (2007)
medal “20 years of independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan” (2011)
Certificate of Honor from the President of the Russian Federation (2012)
Order "Kurmet" (Order of Honor) (2012, Republic of Kazakhstan) [10]
title “Honorary Citizen of Kostroma” (2014, for outstanding activities in the spiritual revival of the Kostroma land) [9]

ALEXANDER

Alexander (Mogilev), archbishop. Kostroma

Alexander (Mogilev), archbishop. Kostromskoy (Mogilev Alexander Gennadievich; born 05/18/1957, Kirov), Metropolitan. Astana and Kazakhstan. From a working-class family. In 1974 he graduated from high school. In 1975 he entered the LDS, which he graduated in 2 years, in 1977-1979. studied at LDA. During his years of study at Leningrad theological schools, Archbishop served as senior subdeacon. Tikhvinsky Meliton (Soloviev). He did not graduate from LDA, since in 1979 he was sent to Kirov, where until 1983 he served as the bishop’s personal secretary. Kirovsky and Slobodsky Chrysanthus (Chepil). In 1988-1990 A. graduated from MDA in absentia with a Ph.D. theology. Aug 1 In 1983 he was ordained a deacon, the next day a priest, and in 1985 he was elevated to the rank of archpriest. On Dec. 1983 appointed keymaster, and in November. 1987 - rector of St. Seraphim Cathedral in Kirov. From 1986 to 1989, secretary of the Kirov diocesan administration. In 1987, he achieved the return of the Trinity Church to the Russian Orthodox Church. in Kirov - the first church in the regional center transferred by the authorities to believers. In 1989, he contributed to the return of the Assumption Cathedral of the Trifonov Khlynov Monastery to the Russian Orthodox Church in Kirov.

13 Sep. 1989 Priest. The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church appointed A. to be the Bishop of Kostroma and Galich. 21 Sep. 1989 Archbishop. Chrysanthos in Znamenskaya Church. at the bishop's residence he was tonsured a monk with the name A. in honor of St. Alexander Svirsky. 24 Sep. 1989 elevated to the rank of archimandrite. 27 Sep. 1989 in Moscow at the Epiphany Cathedral he was consecrated bishop. 25 Feb 1994 elevated to the rank of archbishop. In 1990, through the efforts of A., the Kostroma Duma was resumed, transformed into a seminary in 1996. 25 Jan 1991 at the First Congress of the Orthodox Church. youth A. was elected chairman of the All-Church Orthodox Church. youth movement. In connection with those that appeared in the beginning. 90s in the press, with accusations against certain church hierarchs, in collaboration with the KGB, at the Council of Bishops in March-April 1992, a Commission was formed to study the activities of the secret services in the Church, and A. became its chairman. He is also a member of several. synodal commissions, from November 11. 1994 - Member of the Council for Youth Affairs under the President of Russia. 28 Nov 1996 Elected full member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of the Russian Federation in the section of economics and sociology. Awarded the Order of Friendship of Peoples (1994), the Order of St. blgv. book Daniel of Moscow 2nd degree (1997), St. Innocent, myrtle. Moscow and Kolomna 3rd degree, St. Sergius of Radonezh, 2nd degree.

By the Decree of the Holy Synod of March 5, 2010 A. was appointed to be archbishop. Astana and Alma-Ata. On July 26, 2010, the title of Astana and Kazakhstan was awarded. On July 28, 2010, during a service in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. By the decision of the Holy Synod on October 6, 2010, relieved of his post as acting Chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs. Appointed temporary administrator of the Karaganda and Shakhty diocese.

On October 5, 2011, he was included in the permanent membership of the Priest. Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in the department, and was appointed temporary manager of the newly formed Kokshetau and Akmola diocese.

On March 14, 2012, he was appointed rector of the Church of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sophia at the Miusskoe cemetery - the newly formed representation of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Op.: Hieromartyr Archbishop Nikodim (Krotkov): Life given to God and people. Kostroma, 2000.

Lit.: Naming and consecration of Archimandrite. Alexandra (Mogileva) // ZhMP. 1990. No. 5. P. 18-20; For the spiritual formation of the Fatherland // Svetoch. Kostroma, 1996. P. 3-6; Vladyka Alexander: a bishop remains a bishop even in rags // Kostroma Vedas. 1997. January 9; I had great joy // Northern Truth. Kostroma. 1997. May 17; “You need to pray a lot, work a lot and do good to people...”: On the 10th anniversary of the episcopal consecration of Archbishop. Kostromsky and Galichsky Alexander. Kostroma, 1999.

N. A. Zontikov

Archbishop Alexander of Baku and Azerbaijan reposed in the Lord

Baku, June 11, 2021

On June 10, 2021, on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, at the 69th year of his life, after a serious and long illness, Archbishop Alexander of Baku and Azerbaijan reposed in the Lord, Patriarchia.ru reports.

* * *

Archbishop Alexander (in the world - Alexander Gennadievich Ishchein) was born on June 13, 1952 in Yaroslavl into a working-class family.

After graduating from high school in 1969, he entered the Leningrad Chemical-Pharmaceutical Institute. Served in the Armed Forces.

In 1975, he was tonsured a monk and ordained to the rank of hierodeacon, on December 19, 1975 - to the rank of hieromonk and sent to serve in the Stavropol diocese. Graduated from the Moscow Theological Seminary in absentia.

For four years he was rector of the Assumption Church in Mozdok, dean of the Orthodox churches of North Ossetia. He contributed to the return of the Church and the restoration of the Ascension Cathedral in the city of Alagir, the church in Vladikavkaz, St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Church of the Holy Image of the Savior in the village of Pavlodolskaya.

In 1988 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. In the same year, as part of the official delegation of the clergy of the Stavropol diocese, headed by Archbishop of Stavropol and Baku Anthony (Zavgorodny), he visited Baku and took part in the celebrations dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus'.

Since 1992, he has carried out pastoral obedience in Orthodox parishes in Azerbaijan. At various times he was the rector of the churches of the Blgv. led book Alexander Nevsky in Ganja, the Church of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women in Baku, the Church of the Archangel Michael in Baku.

Since 1995 - rector of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Baku, dean of the Orthodox churches of Azerbaijan.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of December 28, 1998, he was elected Bishop of Baku and the Caspian Sea.

Named on January 13, consecrated on January 14, 1999. Divine services in the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow were performed by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, Metropolitans of Krutitsky and Kolomna Yuvenaly, Volokolamsk and Yuryevsky Pitirim, Archbishops of Solnechnogorsk Sergius, Valentin (Mishchuk), Istra Arseny, Bishops of Bronnitsy cue Tikhon , Orekhovo-Zuevsky Alexy, Krasnogorsky Savva.

The Holy Synod of March 22, 2011 (Journal No. 13) decided to have the title “Baku and Azerbaijan”.

On July 18, 2012, during the Liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' elevated him to the rank of archbishop.

He was awarded church and government awards.

Date of birth: May 18, 1957

Date of consecration: September 27, 1989

Date of tonsure: September 21, 1989

Angel Day: September 12

Country: Kazakhstan

Biography:

Born on May 18, 1957 in the city of Kirov in a working-class family. He was baptized in honor of St. blg. book Alexander Nevsky.

In 1977-1979 he studied at the Leningrad Theological Seminary. In 1979 he was sent to Kirov, where until 1983 he was the personal secretary of the Bishop of Kirov and Slobodsk Chrysanf (Chepil). In 1990 he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy with a candidate's degree in theology. On August 1, 1983, he was ordained a deacon, the next day a priest, and in 1985 he was elevated to the rank of archpriest. In December 1983 he was appointed keymaster, and in November 1987 - rector of the Seraphim Cathedral in the city of Kirov. From 1986 to 1989 - secretary of the Kirov diocesan administration.

On September 21, 1989, he was tonsured a monk with the name Alexander in honor of St. Alexander Svirsky, on September 24 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. On September 27, 1989, in the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral in Moscow, he was consecrated Bishop of Kostroma and Galich.

In 1990 - deputy of the Kostroma Regional Council of People's Deputies. On January 25, 1991, at the First Congress of Orthodox Youth, he was elected chairman of the All-Church Orthodox Youth Movement. In April 1992, he was elected by the Council of Bishops as chairman of the Commission to study the activities of intelligence services in the Church. Since 2000 - Chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs. Since November 11, 1994, he has been a member of the Youth Affairs Council under the President of Russia.

On February 25, 1994, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of July 26, 2010 (magazine No. 68), the title of Astana and Kazakhstan was awarded.

On July 28, 2010, during a service in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of October 6, 2011, he is the temporary administrator of the Kokshetau diocese

Scientific works, publications:

“The Hieromartyr Nicodemus: a life given to God and people” (Kostroma, 2001);

“The Miraculous Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God” (Kostroma, 2003);

“The Hieromartyr Archpriest Joseph Smirnov (1864-1918)” (Kostroma, 2003);

“Reverend Timon, Elder of Nadeevsky” (Kostroma, 2004);

“History of the establishment of the Kostroma diocese” (Kostroma, 2004);

“Kostroma Hodegetria. The miraculous Smolensk fresco icon of the Mother of God" (Kostroma, 2005);

115 scientific articles and publications.

Awards

Church: Order of St. blg. book Daniil of Moscow II degree; Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, III degree; Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh II degree; Order of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church St. Nestor the Chronicler, 1st degree;

Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, II degree;

Synodal Order of the Sign of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, 1st degree.

Secular: 1994 - Order of Friendship; 1999 - Order of Honor; 2004 - Order of the Administration of the Kostroma Region “Labor.Valor.Honor”; 2007 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree; 2009 — Awarded the title: “Honorary Citizen of the Kostroma Region.”

Metropolitan Alexander Agrikov Vasily Alexandrovich

Vasily Agrikov was born on May 13, 1953 in the village of Laborfront, Astrakhan region. At the age of six, after the death of his mother, he moved to the Belgorod region, where the boy’s father served as a priest. After graduating from school, he entered the Moscow Medical School, which he subsequently successfully graduated from.

While at a church service, at the beginning of June 1974, Metropolitan John of Yaroslavl and Rostov ordained Vasily as a deacon, and on June 5 by the same Eminence - as a presbyter and appointed rector of the Church of the Nativity of Christ in the village of Masalskoye, Yaroslavl region. In the period from 1974 to 1976, he served in the Armed Forces of the Soviet Army.

Subsequently, in February 1977, Vasily was accepted into the clergy of the Moscow diocese and appointed a priest at St. Nicholas Church in the village of Pushkino. From March 30, 1978 to January 27, 1983, the clergyman was the rector of St. Nicholas Church in the city of Losino-Petrovsk. Further, from January 1983, he served as rector of the Assumption Church in the city of Shubin, and from October 1986, he served as rector of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Obraztsovo.

Later, on March 9, 1987, he was elevated to the rank of abbot. Since January 1991, the religious figure took the position of rector of the Vladimir Church in the city of Mytishchi, Moscow region. At the end of October 1994, the clergyman was appointed dean of the churches of the Mytishchi district. In June 2001. His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II elevated him to the rank of archimandrite. Graduated from the Moscow Theological Seminary and Academy in absentia.

In the summer of 2001, Alexander was elected Bishop of Dmitrov, vicar of the Moscow diocese. He was named on September 1, 2001 in the Church of All Saints, in the Land of the Russian Ones Who Shone, Patriarchal Residence in the Danilov Monastery. Consecrated on September 2 at the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. He was the rector of the Temple of Elijah the Prophet.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of December 28, 2011, he was appointed to the Bryansk See. Further, in July 2012, the church minister was confirmed as rector, holy archimandrite of the Gorno-Nikolsky Monastery in the city of Bryansk. Later, on May 29, 2013, he was appointed head of the newly formed Bryansk Metropolis.

In June 2013, during the Liturgy in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord at the Nikitsky Gate in Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill elevated him to the rank of metropolitan. By the decision of the Holy Synod of October 23, 2014, he was relieved of his position as holy archimandrite and abbot of the Bryansk Gorno-Nikolsky Monastery.

From December 2014 to September 2015, the priest was the temporary administrator of the Klintsy diocese. In the period from 2008 to 2017, Vasily Agrikov served as secretary of the Supreme Church Court. Subsequently, at the Council of Bishops in 2017, Alexander was re-elected to the court.
12.05.2018

Person of the Russian Federation

Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church; Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan, head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church

"Connections / Partners"

Patriarch Kiril - Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church; since February 1, 2009 - Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. Before the patriarchal enthronement - Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad (at the Smolensk See from December 26, 1984); from November 14, 1989 to February 1, 2009 - Chairman of the Synodal Department for External Church Relations (DECR) and permanent member of the Holy Synod. On January 27, 2009, the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church elected him Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. Name day - May 11 (24), memory of Methodius and Cyril, Slovenian teachers

"Themes"

"Russian Orthodox Church"

"News"

Serve and repent

Just 15 years ago, at the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church MP in 1992, a special commission was created to study the cooperation of the clergy with the KGB. Metropolitan Kirill (Gundyaev), the second person in the current church hierarchy, who was also repeatedly mentioned in published reports of the 5th Directorate of the KGB under the nickname Mikhailov, was categorically against its creation. But the flurry of publications that overwhelmed the Russian press at that time forced the church leadership to at least somehow react.

The commission, headed by the young Bishop Alexander (Mogilev), formally still exists, but it seems that it was given the instructions to “bury the issue.” The composition of the commission has not even been formed, and its meetings are not taking place, but curious truth-seekers can always be answered: there is such a commission, and, therefore, the Church does not shy away from this sore point. link: https://www.ogoniok.com/4980/19/

On July 27, Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan Alexander (Mogilev) visited Penza

On July 27, Metropolitan Alexander (Mogilev) of Astana and Kazakhstan visited the regional center. Bishop Veniamin of Penza and Kuznetsk personally conducted a tour for guests on Sovetskaya Square to discuss the construction work of the Spassky Cathedral. link: https://penza.bezformata.ru/listnews/mitropolit

COMMENT OF THE DAY: Guilty before trial. Kostroma cleric of the Russian Orthodox Church MP was defrocked on the basis of “telephone law”, without trial or investigation

For the modern Russian Federation, with its ugly symphony of state (as if democratic) power and the Moscow Patriarchate, it is already quite familiar. A Moscow official appointed to a regional city begins to establish new orders in the corridors of his power.

It is no secret that in the Russian Federation, an appointment to the governor's chair can be not only a reward for an official, but also a place of quiet exile, where the official waits out difficult times for himself. Such a link was for the current governor of the Kostroma region, Igor Slyunyaev, a transfer from the chair of the First Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation (head of Rosavtodor) to the Federation Council and, then, to Kostroma. Slyunyaev had to resign from his position in the Ministry of Transport after his patron Sergei Frank left the post of minister.

The former policeman quite easily established “unity of command” in the region, subordinating the administration of the city of Kostroma and the local legislative assembly to his influence, seating loyal people everywhere. The only place where remnants of independence were still preserved, and exclusively intellectual, not related to finances and influence, was the diocesan administration. At the time of Slyunyaev’s appointment, the diocese was headed by Archbishop Alexander (Mogilev), the current Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan. link: https://www.portal-credo.ru/site/?act=news&id=83211

Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on Kurban Ait

Alexander MOGILEV, METROPOLITAN OF ASTANAI AND KAZAKHSTAN: - In our country, the most important holidays are non-working days and public holidays - for Orthodox Christians Easter and Christmas, for Muslims - Kurban Ait. And I would like to take this opportunity to cordially congratulate the Supreme Mufti, the esteemed Sheikh Absattar Derbisali and all Muslims on this wonderful religious holiday and wish everyone peace, health, prosperity and blessed success in serving their native Kazakhstan. link: https://meta.kz/novosti/kazakhstan

Archbishop of Kostroma and Galich Alexander (Mogilev) called to speak “with a rocker like a rocker, and with a hacker like a hacker”

Archbishop of Kostroma and Galich Alexander (Mogilev), who spoke on January 30 at a plenary session, called for speaking with young people in their language - “with a rocker like a rocker, and with a hacker like a hacker” in his report “Spiritual and cultural heritage is the basis for personal education.” XV International Christmas Educational Readings,” reports the correspondent of “Portal-Credo.Ru”.

“Today our shepherds must rise above the vanity and call young people to spirituality, turn to the very souls of their children in Christ,” said Archbishop Alexander. Quoting Saint-Exupéry that “we are responsible for those we have tamed,” the speaker noted the urgent need for every possible participation in raising the cultural level of young people. “In 1945, a Russian song sounded from every restaurant in Berlin, but today who conquered us?..,” said the clergyman. link: https://www.portal-credo.ru/site/?act=news&id=51386&topic=76 The Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District bowed to the shrines of the Vyatka land

At the end of the 80s of the last century, the future Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan, Archpriest Alexander Mogilev, organized an initiative group of parishioners and began to actively seek the return to believers of the first of many closed churches in the Kirov region. Trinity Church in Makarya became the first temple returned by the Soviet authorities on the territory of the regional center, not only in Kirov but also in Russia. link: https://mitropolia.kz/ru/novosti/sluzhby/1569-vyatka-tikh.html

Metropolitan Alexander celebrated the Liturgy at the Assumption Cathedral in the city of Vyatka

In 1988, on the initiative of the secretary of the Kirov diocesan administration, Archpriest Alexander Mogilev (now Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan), more than 12 thousand signatures were collected in support of the opening of the Assumption Cathedral. In April 1989, the Assumption Cathedral was transferred to the diocese for free use. Under the leadership of the diocesan secretary, day after day the believers cleared the territory of the monastery from ten-year-old rubble and worked to repair the church building. link: https://mitropolia.kz/ru/novosti/sluzhby/1568-vytka.html The Orthodox Church district has been re-registered in Astana

Today, the Chairman of the Kazakhstan Agency for Religious Affairs, Kairat Lama Sharif, presented the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, with a certificate of re-registration of the metropolitan district. link: https://www.khabar.kz/rus/politics/V_Astane

The head of the Vyatka diocese will be appointed in March

This was reported by the capital’s source of our newspaper, who added that three candidates for the “Vyatka See” were offered to the Patriarch for consideration and approval: Archbishop of Vereisky Evgeniy (Reshetnikov), Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan Alexander (Mogilev) and rector of the Holy Trotsky Church (in Makarya ) father Alexander Shchinov - all native Vyatichi. link: https://www.nabludatel.ru/index.php?modul=articles&id=951

No. 18 (627) / May 3 '11

Archpastor
Conversation with Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan live on the Soyuz TV channel

– The “Archipastor” program is on air again on the Soyuz TV channel, with you presenter Sergei Yurgin. I am pleased to introduce you to our distinguished guest, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan. Hello, Master, bless the TV viewers for the beginning of our conversation.

– Good afternoon, with love I greet both the TV channel and everyone who watches it.

– Vladyka, you have been heading the Astana and Alma-Ata diocese since 2010. What did you manage to accomplish during your ministry in your new place?

– In 2003, by the decision of the ever-memorable His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Metropolitan District was formed in the Republic of Kazakhstan. On March 5, 2010, after the Lord gave me to be the custodian of the miraculous Theodore Icon of the Mother of God for 21 years and to carry out my hierarchal work and service on Kostroma land, with the blessing of our Primate of the Church and the decision of the Holy Synod, I was appointed to Alma- Atinsk and Astana departments. And in July, at the next meeting of the Synod, the internal Charter of the Metropolitan District and the state regulations on the registration of the newly formed canonical division of the Russian Orthodox Church were adopted. All these documents were registered by the civil authorities, and at the last Council of Bishops in 2011, a new, ninth chapter of the Charter was introduced into the canonical Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, which consolidated the decisions that were made by both His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and the Holy Synod - this is the chapter on the Metropolitan Districts of our Churches. And today the Russian Orthodox Church has a Metropolitan District in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

You are right, a year has already passed since, with the blessing of the Hierarchy, I carry out my ministry within the Republic of Kazakhstan. Today the number of dioceses has increased to six. These are the former dioceses - Astana and Alma-Ata, Ural and Guryev, Shinken dioceses. By the decision of the Holy Synod, three new diocesan centers were formed, three dioceses - Karaganda, which is now headed by His Grace Bishop Sevastian of Karaganda and Shakhty; diocese in the north of Kazakhstan - Kustanay and Petropavlovsk, headed by His Grace Bishop Anatoly. And the diocese of Pavlodar and Ust-Kamenogorsk, in which today the former abbot of the Sanaksar monastery, the current Most Reverend Bishop Varnava, is undergoing church obedience. We are seven bishops. The newly formed Alma-Ata Theological Seminary, the highest religious educational institution in Kazakhstan, operates almost the entire academic year.

The division into a larger number of dioceses had a very beneficial effect on the spiritual life of the Orthodox population of our republic. The bishop becomes more accessible to both pastors and the Orthodox people, and this is very significant; this helps to quickly resolve many church issues. And therefore, a year later, I can say that those transformations, those good changes that His Holiness the Patriarch introduced into the spiritual life of Kazakhstan, were beneficial. They are the efficiency of the spiritual presence of our Church on the historical land of Semirechye.

– Which religion is still considered dominant in Kazakhstan today? Is it difficult to be an Orthodox bishop in a country where there are many Muslims?

– Today Kazakhstan is a unique state. This is a multinational and multi-religious republic. The vast majority of citizens of Kazakhstan are Muslims, approximately a third of the population are Orthodox Christians. The population of the Republic of Kazakhstan is about 17 million people, but its huge area is 2.4 million square kilometers. We have excellent relations with Muslim leaders and with Muslims. The president of the country, who was recently re-elected to this highest government post, Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev, very beautifully expressed his attitude to religious issues. He said that in his state activities his right hand rests on the majority, which are Muslims, or the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, and his left hand rests on the Russian Orthodox Church.

I think that this figurative expression of the national leader also reveals the policy that is being pursued in relation to religion. Everyone feels comfortable in Kazakhstan, we have peace and good harmony. And in this regard, Kazakhstan sets a good example for all others: there are no interethnic conflicts, no conflicts on religious grounds. And the president, his team and the religious leaders of the state profess a wonderful formula: “Peace, harmony, friendship, unity for the good and benefit of our Fatherland - the ancient land of Kazakhstan.”

Of course, I served in Kostroma for 21 years, this is a city with great Christian traditions. The cultural environment of Kazakhstan is different, and it took some time to enter this environment for it to become close, dear to my heart, dear to my soul. The ministry of a bishop is never simple. An ideal example of how one should devote oneself to church service, how a hierarch should act, is given to us by our Primate, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'. He set the tone for all bishops to devote all their abilities and talents entirely, without reserve, to the work of church service. And we are all jealous of this holy service of our Great Master and Father, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.

Serving in Kazakhstan is both joyful and difficult, stressful and blissful. It is impossible to give an assessment in one word, but in general this is a ministry that is called upon to ensure that as many people as possible are inspired by the light and warmth of the Orthodox faith, as many people as possible cross the church threshold and recognize the greatness and beauty of holy Orthodoxy. This is worth working for, this is worth giving what the Lord has given. And the episcopate of Kazakhstan, just like the archpastors, and the shepherds, and the monastics, in my opinion, really perform the feat of faith and the work of love for the sake of Christ.

– Many churches are being restored in Russia, but the years of fighting against God also affected Kazakhstan. Can the Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan restore churches and build new ones?

– Probably, we need to provide statistics that will testify to what is happening in this direction in our republic today. Currently the numbers are as follows. There are 2,400 Muslim religious associations in Kazakhstan, and just over 300 Orthodox parishes. I testify in all my conscience that Orthodox people have the opportunity to both restore churches and build new churches. Before the change in state-church relations on the territory of the former Soviet Union, there were only 38 churches in Kazakhstan, and today there are more than 300. This is the work and feat of my predecessors: Vladyka Eusebius, the current Metropolitan of Pskov, Vladyka Metropolitan Alexy of Tula, who suffered the difficult times of separation , and it was necessary to speak loudly about the Church, to take steps to preserve the Orthodox heritage. And my immediate predecessor, the current Metropolitan of Perm, Vladyka Methodius, worked a lot in temple construction. A unique cathedral, the largest in Central Asia, was built under him. This is a temple, designed for 5,000 people, in honor of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the city of Astana. It was built with the direct participation of the President of the Republic Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev. And within a year I have consecrated twelve newly built churches in different parts of Kazakhstan. In Astana, in Almaty, there is a temple in Timertau, and in Timertau the temple in the name of St. Nicholas was also erected on the direct orders of the president of the republic. Next to the mosque, across the road, stands the majestic Church of St. Nicholas, in traditional Orthodox architectural forms. The President came to the opening of the mosque and the consecration of this Orthodox church. And I think that such small examples speak volumes. There is genuine freedom in both temple construction and restoration of our churches. Both ordinary people and businessmen are involved in this. Despite the fact that the state is separated from religious associations, state power also helps in this, realizing the rights of believers to fulfill their religious needs and capabilities.

– Vladyka, please tell us which saints are especially revered in Kazakhstan.

– I would like to recall the definition that the late Patriarch Alexy gave to Kazakhstan. His Holiness said that the Kazakh land is an antimension open to the sky. I think these words have a lot of meaning. From history we know that Kazakhstan became a place of exile and persecution of the Orthodox people. During the years of the terrible godless revolution that our country experienced, our confessors arrived in large numbers on Kazakh soil. The godless government chose both Solovki and Kazakhstan as a place of deportation, torment and suffering for a host of those who loved their Motherland infinitely and remained faithful to Holy Orthodoxy. Countless numbers of bishops, priests, monastics, and laity demonstrated the feat of new martyrdom on Kazakhstan soil - people who did not betray holy Orthodoxy there and completed their earthly journey were glorified at the Council of 2000 as new martyrs and confessors of Russia.

I would like to name some names. This is my predecessor in the department, the holy confessor Metropolitan Nikolai (Mogilevsky), who spent many years in prisons and exile, and, having returned to service, had the unique ability to warm human hearts with his kindness and love. These are the holy martyrs Seraphim and Theognost, well-known in Russia and Kazakhstan, hieromonks of Alma-Ata. At the place where they were shot, today a monastery, a men's monastery, has been created in the mountains. And it takes a lot of effort to get through the mountainous terrain to the place of their suffering deeds, but people with love, in large numbers, try to venerate the new martyrs. And, of course, the Optina elder, confessor, schema-archimandrite Sevastian of Karaganda is known, who, after serving a prison term from the godless authorities, did not leave the land where he was forced to suffer, endure hunger, deprivation, and cold. He stayed in Karaganda and created a women's monastery. People from all over Russia flocked to him, so strong and deep was his service to God. He knew how to find those words that helped a person take the right path of life; with one glance and gentle prayer he encouraged a person to become better, purer, nobler, more worthy. Today, people and pilgrims come to Karaganda from all over Russia, as to a great shrine, to the relics of this newly minted ascetic of the 20th century. And there are many other famous and not famous ascetics of piety on Kazakhstani soil. Indeed, this land is an antimension open before God and heaven.

And I would like to mention another name of one amazing bishop, also an elder confessor, this is Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) of Alma-Ata and Kazakhstan. An elder to whom many people came in Soviet times seeking spiritual consolation. And who also helped people with his kind words and deep prayers. Today information is being collected for the canonization of this ascetic of faith and piety. But even in the present, the burial place, the city cemetery, where a small chapel was built, has become a place of pilgrimage for Almaty residents, Kazakhstanis, and residents of Russia. They come to the grave, perform funeral services, and ask for consolation and support. And they find a spiritual solution to their problems. And this is another visible righteous man from among the martyrs and confessors of the twentieth century.

– That is, despite the fact that the country is Muslim, there were many Orthodox saints, and there were many confessors who appeared in the 20th century.

– Of course, many performed feats of suffering for Christ, feats of confession of our faith on Kazakh soil. Remember these names - Karlag, other camps where those who indestructibly carried the shield of the Orthodox faith in their hearts languished.

– Vladyka, you have ruled the Kostroma diocese for more than two decades, and everyone knows your work on the study of the icons of the Mother of God - the Kostroma Hodegetria and Theodorovskaya. The Feodorovskaya icon was repeatedly on Ekaterinburg soil. Maybe you can tell us about the spiritual experience associated with these icons...

– Orthodox people know how the Most Holy Theotokos is revered, Her many icons, wondrous faces that are revealed throughout the Russian land. There are icons that are world-famous: the Vladimir icon is the main shrine of our Orthodox Fatherland; Kursk-Root, who after the terrible years of the Civil War was taken outside the Fatherland and for many years remained and still remains the guardian of Orthodoxy abroad, a guide to Russian exiles living outside the Motherland. There is a Tikhvin icon, which was in a private collection for many years and just recently returned to its historical place in the city of Tikhvin. Among these and other shrines revered and loved by our people, of course, the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos occupies a special place. I repeat, the Lord has vouchsafed me to be the humble guardian of this great shrine of our Fatherland for many decades. This is not a copy, not a list. An authentic icon, a prayer image of the Great Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, champion and defender of the holy faith and guardian of our earthly Fatherland, is kept in Kostroma. History knows that this is the wedding icon of Prince Alexander, and he ordered that on the back side of the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, given to him by his father, Grand Duke Yaroslav, the Heavenly patroness of his wife, the Great Martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, should be depicted.

The prince took this icon on campaigns. Imagine the military achievements of Grand Duke Alexander - and this shrine was always with him - how many prayerful sighs, how many heartfelt requests poured out from the heart of our great warrior, prince and monk, when he stood up for the greatness of our Fatherland, prayed before this holy face of the Queen of Heaven ! Before this icon, he ended his earthly days by becoming a monk.

The fate of the icon is such that during the years of terrible hard times for Russia, during the Time of Troubles, it was with this icon, after the election by the Zemsky Sobor, that young Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov was blessed to the royal throne by his mother, the great nun Martha in the Trinity Cathedral of the Ipatiev Monastery. Both she and her son refused to accept the kingdom of Russia, and only when the Kostroma residents reverently brought their main shrine to the Trinity Cathedral did she overshadow her son with this image, asking the Most Holy Theotokos to be the ever-present guardian of the Romanov family.

And you know that the Romanovs treated the Feodorovskaya icon of the Most Holy Theotokos with great reverence. It is known that many German princesses who became Russian empresses, accepting Orthodoxy, took the patronymic Feodorovna, testifying that the Orthodox faith through the Feodorovskaya icon is truly the faith of life for them. The last sovereign, Passion-Bearer Nikolai Alexandrovich, greatly revered the Feodorovskaya icon; he built several Feodorovsky churches and the Feodorovsky town near St. Petersburg. Feodorovskaya is still revered as the patroness of Russian statehood. All Russian emperors, being still heirs, or already in royal, imperial dignity, considered it their direct duty to visit Kostroma and bow to the Feodorovskaya icon.

And we know that the definition of “royal” belongs to the Mother See of golden-domed Moscow and, at the time when the Romanovs ruled, to the main city, the capital of the Russian Empire - royal St. Petersburg. But Kostroma also had the name “royal”, because royal Kostroma gave birth to the first autocrat from the Romanov dynasty.

We visited the Feodorovskaya icon here in Yekaterinburg. Vladyka Archbishop Vincent, who sincerely and with all his soul cares about the revival of the Ural region, asked that this great shrine be visited by Ganina Yama, the place of suffering and glory of the Royal Family, suffering as martyrs, and glory as saints glorified in our time.

Moreover, I repeat, I have already told this interesting story, but it will probably be useful to all of us. When the icon was traveling as a pilgrim from Kostroma to Yekaterinburg, on the approach, 15 minutes before descent, the weather in Yekaterinburg turned bad. There was a very strong wind and it started snowing like a wall. And the commander of the ship on which we traveled by air with our shrine came out and said: “Vladyka, the weather has changed, and we will not be able to land in Yekaterinburg. We are offered landing in Chelyabinsk or Zlatoust. All planes heading to Yekaterinburg were forced to land there.” - "How? They are waiting for us, we are bringing a great shrine.” The commander said: “We need to make a decision.” I say: “once again, please request the land, request the dispatchers, maybe somehow we can land... After all, thousands of people are eagerly and lovingly awaiting the arrival of the Russian shrine.” He says: “No, Vladyka, we received an order, we need to change course, in which city are we landing?” I ask the dispatcher again, and he says it is useless. He contacts the ground and is told: we have calculated the plane’s course, you will find yourself in a 15-minute corridor of tolerable weather. You make the decision yourself.

And we sat down. As soon as the plane touched the ground, a terrible wind rose and a huge squall of snow fell. And thousands of people who were waiting for us, with great reverence, with great love, with tears in their eyes, together with their Archpastor, Vladyka Archbishop Vincent, met the Kostroma All-Russian shrine. And this story will be remembered for a lifetime.

– Vladyka, we thank you for the interesting conversation. God bless you, Master, and bless our TV viewers.

– I was pleased to meet here, on the Soyuz TV channel, with the Orthodox audience, and I would like to wish everyone goodness and mercy from the Lord. And we sincerely thank Vladyka Vincent for his enormous efforts to ensure that the word of God, transmitted through the Soyuz TV channel, spreads among the Orthodox population not only in Russia, but also near and far abroad.

Watch the “Archpastor” program on the Orthodox TV channel “Soyuz”: Thursday 05.00, Saturday 10.00, Sunday 20.30. Yekaterinburg time (+ 2 hours to Moscow)

Listen to the “Archpastor” program with Archbishop Vincent on the air of the Orthodox radio channel “Resurrection”: Tuesday 14.20, 20.20, Wednesday 02.20

You can ask your questions to the program like this:

Call the Soyuz TV channel in advance at (343) 278-60-11 (on weekdays and business hours) and leave your question;
call into the live broadcast of the program directly during the program (only during the live broadcast);
send your question by email to [email protected] ;
send your question by regular letter to the editorial office: 620014, Ekaterinburg-14, PO Box 184.

In other rooms:

Alexander, Metropolitan of Astana and Kazakhstan (Mogilev Alexander Gennadievich)

Permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church

Born on May 18, 1957 in Kirov into a working-class family, he was baptized in honor of St. blgv. book Alexander Nevsky.

In 1977-1979 studied at the Leningrad Theological Seminary. In 1979 he was sent to Kirov, where until 1983 he was the personal secretary of the Bishop of Kirov and Slobodsk Chrysanf (Chepil). In 1990 he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy with a candidate's degree in theology.

On August 1, 1983, he was ordained a deacon, the next day a priest, and in 1985 he was elevated to the rank of archpriest. In December 1983 he was appointed keymaster, and in November 1987 - rector of the Seraphim Cathedral in Kirov. In 1986-1989 - Secretary of the Kirov Diocesan Administration.

On September 21, 1989, he was tonsured a monk with the name Alexander in honor of St. Alexander Svirsky, on September 24 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. On September 27, 1989, in the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow, he was consecrated Bishop of Kostroma and Galich.