Aksay Gorge, Kazakhstan, July 22, 2026
Photo: Holy Springs of Russia and Abroad
High in the mountains of the Trans-Ili Alatau, pilgrims and clergy climbed to a remote hermitage to mark two milestones in the life of a monastery built around the memory of two martyred monks.
The Sts. Seraphim and Theognost Hermitage for men celebrated the feast of the finding of the relics of its Heavenly patrons, the hieromartyrs Seraphim and Theognost of Aksay, on July 16. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the finding of the relics of these patron saints of Almaty and Semirechye, as well as the 30th anniversary of the revival of the Aksay Hermitage, reports the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Photo: mitropolia.kz
His Grace Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, head of the administration of the Metropolitan District, led the festive Liturgy at the hermitage in the Aksay Gorge, marking the monastery’s patronal feast. He was joined by numerous clergy from across the Metropolitan District, including the hermitage’s abbot, Archimandrite Tryphon.
Despite the difficulty of the climb to the skete, located high in the mountains, participants of an International Volleyball Tournament and numerous pilgrims from dioceses of the Metropolitan District gathered for the celebration. Hymns were sung by the men’s choir of the Almaty Diocese.
The service concluded with the glorification of the Hieromartyrs Seraphim and Theognost: the choir sang the troparion to the saints, Bp. Gennady read a prayer, and the clergy, choir, and faithful then sang the magnification.
Photo: mitropolia.kz
In his sermon, Bp. Gennady said:
Today we prayerfully honor the day of the finding of the relics of the holy Hieromartyrs and Confessors Seraphim and Theognost of Almaty. In the 20th century, when a godless storm swept over our land, these two monks showed a true miracle through their life and death. Our Lord Jesus Christ said: Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul (Mt. 10:28).
Sts. Seraphim and Theognost knew that earthly life is only a temporary journey, and that our true homeland is in Heaven. In the mountains they built not merely a skete, but a spiritual fortress. They prayed for the whole world, they prayed for their people, and they prayed even for those who came to take their lives. Their martyrdom became the crown of their life of prayer.
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