Şymkent, Kazakhstan, June 7, 2021
Photo: pravlife.org
His Eminence Archbishop Elevthery of Şymkent and Taraz of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church reposed in the Lord on June 4 at the age of 67, reports Patriarchia.ru.
He served the Church in clerical orders for more than 35 years, including 30 years as a hierarch.
His Eminence Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and funeral service for the newly-departed Abp. Elevthery yesterday in the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Şymkent. He was concelebrated by other hierarchs and clergy from the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan.
Before the service, Met. Alexander addressed those who had gathered to bid farewell to the Archbishop:
On the days when the holy Church continues to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, we see Abp. Elevthery of Şymkent and Taraz off on his final journey. Being a wise and kind archpastor, he taught the clergy and laity the example of devoting all of himself to God and people. The restoration of ruined churches, the opening of new parishes, the glorification of the memory of the New Martyrs and Confessors, the development of charity and spiritual enlightenment—these are the fruits of his noble deeds, offered as a sacrifice to Christ. The deceased hierarch showed the spirit of peace, modesty and evangelical simplicity to those around him. Everyone who was near Vladyka felt his attention and warm benevolence. His bright image and good example of sacrificial service to native Orthodoxy will remain in the memory of all who knew and loved Vladyka Elevthery. Now Almighty God has called the archpastor, His faithful servant, to the Heavenly habitations. We believe that there awaits the newly-departed holy hierarch there the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, according to the word of the Apostle, promised to all who loved His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8).
Following the service, the coffin with the body of Abp. Elevthery was carried around the cathedral to the singing of the Paschal irmosi.
According to his wish, the Archbishop was buried near the altar of the cathedral.
May his memory be eternal!
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His Eminence was born on September 17, 1953, in a peasant family in the Rivne Province of Ukraine. He graduated from the Moscow Theological Seminary in 1979, and from the Academy in 1984, with a doctorate in theology.
He was ordained to the diaconate on April 13, 1985, and to the priesthood on October 17 the same year. He was appointed rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In October 1986, he became the dean of churches in South Kazakhstan.
He was tonsured as a monk on March 26, 1987. He was elevated to the rank of igumen in 1988, and to the rank of archimandrite on February 14, 1991. The next day, he was consecrated Bishop of Şymkent and Tselinograd. He served as a member of a number of Church committees.
On February 25, 2004, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop. On March 25, 2011, the Synod of the Metropolitan District of the Republic of Kazakhstan appointed him Chairman of the Church Court of the Metropolitan District.
The works of Abp. Elevthery were awarded a number of Church awards, as well as state awards of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
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