The Synaxis of New Martyrs and Confessors of Kazakhstan and Alma-Ata is celebrated on the first Sunday after September 3 (16).
In the 1930s–1950s, one of the most terrible units of the GULAG, Karlag (Karaganda Corrective Labor Camp), was located in Kazakhstan. Among its prisoners were many Orthodox bishops, priests, monks, and laymen who died for Christ. At the beginning of the 21st century, it was possible to collect a lot of materials about the exploits of Kazakhstan's new martyrs.
In February 2008, Metropolitan Methodius (Nemtsov) of Astana received the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II to establish a separate day for celebrating the Synaxis of New Martyrs and Confessors who suffered in the land of Kazakhstan. It was decided to hold the celebration on the first Sunday after the day of remembrance of the first martyr of the land of Kazakhstan – Bishop Pimen of Vernoye. The celebration of the Synaxis was included in the calendar by the patriarchal blessing on February 28, 2008.
In the 1930s–1950s, one of the most terrible units of the GULAG, Karlag (Karaganda Corrective Labor Camp), was located in Kazakhstan. Among its prisoners were many Orthodox bishops, priests, monks, and laymen who died for Christ. At the beginning of the 21st century, it was possible to collect a lot of materials about the exploits of Kazakhstan's new martyrs.
In February 2008, Metropolitan Methodius (Nemtsov) of Astana received the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II to establish a separate day for celebrating the Synaxis of New Martyrs and Confessors who suffered in the land of Kazakhstan. It was decided to hold the celebration on the first Sunday after the day of remembrance of the first martyr of the land of Kazakhstan – Bishop Pimen of Vernoye. The celebration of the Synaxis was included in the calendar by the patriarchal blessing on February 28, 2008.
Brief History
By the onset of the persecutions against the Church in 1918, in the city of Vernoye, Bishop Pimen (Belolikov) of Vernoye and Semirechensk was murdered. His burial site is unknown, but pilgrims visit the place of his execution in the Bauma woods.
In 1921 on the Kzyl-Zhar Aksaisk pass, near the city of Vernoye, the inhabitants of a mountain skete, Hieromonks Seraphim and Theognost, were killed. The Red Army murderers asked the monks for a place to spend the night, and when the monks fell asleep the murderers stabbed them to death with bayonets. Over the course of the entire Soviet period, their graves were a place of secret pilgrimage. Today, in free Kazakhstan, thousands of pilgrims climb to this mountain skete every year to pray before the relics of the Aksaisk Wonderworkers.
Among the sites of imprisonment and execution of New Martyrs is Southern Kazakhstan. In the city of Chimkent, St. Kyrill (Smirnov) of Kazan, St. Alexander (Orlov) of Omsk, and many others received a martyr’s death.
The most tragic page in the persecutions took place in Central Kazakhstan. To the city of Karaganda, founded in 1934, were sent the “kulaks” — specially resettled hardworking and well-to-do peasants, with the intent of depriving them of their native villages and all their property and to build a new city there in 1931. 52,000 peasant families were simply dropped off in the open steppe. People died in the thousands, and only a small number managed to live through the first winter.
Furthermore, in the territory of Central Kazakhstan was founded the largest prison camp system of the Gulag — the Karaganda Corrective Labor Camp. The camp occupied an area equal to the size of France, and consisted of many different departments.
Over its twenty-eight years of existence, through this camp passed more than a million people of various nationalities and religions, including an enormous amount of clergymen, monastics and laity of the Orthodox Church. Of all the sufferers there are only one hundred canonized. These include Metropolitan Evgeny (Zernov) of Gorky, Bishop Damaskin (Tsedrik) of Starodub, Bishop Uar (Shmarin) of Lipetsk, and many others.
Amongst the prisoners was one of the last Optina Elders — Archimandrite Sebastian (Fomin). Fr. Sebastian was the cell attendant of two Optina elders — Joseph and Nectarius. After the brothers were exiled from Optina Monastery, Fr. Sebastian was ordained a priest. He was arrested and sent to Karlag for his faith.
Fr. Sebastian spent seven years in the camp, and after his release he remained in Karaganda, where some of his spiritual children live to this day.
By the onset of the persecutions against the Church in 1918, in the city of Vernoye, Bishop Pimen (Belolikov) of Vernoye and Semirechensk was murdered. His burial site is unknown, but pilgrims visit the place of his execution in the Bauma woods.
In 1921 on the Kzyl-Zhar Aksaisk pass, near the city of Vernoye, the inhabitants of a mountain skete, Hieromonks Seraphim and Theognost, were killed. The Red Army murderers asked the monks for a place to spend the night, and when the monks fell asleep the murderers stabbed them to death with bayonets. Over the course of the entire Soviet period, their graves were a place of secret pilgrimage. Today, in free Kazakhstan, thousands of pilgrims climb to this mountain skete every year to pray before the relics of the Aksaisk Wonderworkers.
Among the sites of imprisonment and execution of New Martyrs is Southern Kazakhstan. In the city of Chimkent, St. Kyrill (Smirnov) of Kazan, St. Alexander (Orlov) of Omsk, and many others received a martyr’s death.
The most tragic page in the persecutions took place in Central Kazakhstan. To the city of Karaganda, founded in 1934, were sent the “kulaks” — specially resettled hardworking and well-to-do peasants, with the intent of depriving them of their native villages and all their property and to build a new city there in 1931. 52,000 peasant families were simply dropped off in the open steppe. People died in the thousands, and only a small number managed to live through the first winter.
Furthermore, in the territory of Central Kazakhstan was founded the largest prison camp system of the Gulag — the Karaganda Corrective Labor Camp. The camp occupied an area equal to the size of France, and consisted of many different departments.
Over its twenty-eight years of existence, through this camp passed more than a million people of various nationalities and religions, including an enormous amount of clergymen, monastics and laity of the Orthodox Church. Of all the sufferers there are only one hundred canonized. These include Metropolitan Evgeny (Zernov) of Gorky, Bishop Damaskin (Tsedrik) of Starodub, Bishop Uar (Shmarin) of Lipetsk, and many others.
Amongst the prisoners was one of the last Optina Elders — Archimandrite Sebastian (Fomin). Fr. Sebastian was the cell attendant of two Optina elders — Joseph and Nectarius. After the brothers were exiled from Optina Monastery, Fr. Sebastian was ordained a priest. He was arrested and sent to Karlag for his faith.
Fr. Sebastian spent seven years in the camp, and after his release he remained in Karaganda, where some of his spiritual children live to this day.
Troparion (Tone 7)
The Heavenly Church is now opening, and the Orthodox Church of the land of Kazakhstan is filled with joy, while the glorious host of martyrs and confessors precedes the assembly of the faithful like an angelic choir. For their sufferings, O Christ God, reveal the strength of Your abundant mercy upon our land. As for the Church that You have established in the wilderness, through the intercessions of the Theotokos and all the saints, deliver it from misfortunes and establish it forever.
Kontakion (Tone 5)
O most glorious martyrs and confessors, representatives of the blessed land of Kazakhstan, who have served Christ in every rank and age! Who can truly confess your ailments and feats, who can adequately proclaim the miracles of your faith, or render a worthy praise for the beauty of your confession? Yet, receive with love those who honor you, and offer prayers for the salvation of our souls.
Megalynarion
We magnify you, Holy New Martyrs and Confessors who have shone in the land of Kazakhstan, and we honor your holy memory, for you intercede for us before Christ our God.
The Heavenly Church is now opening, and the Orthodox Church of the land of Kazakhstan is filled with joy, while the glorious host of martyrs and confessors precedes the assembly of the faithful like an angelic choir. For their sufferings, O Christ God, reveal the strength of Your abundant mercy upon our land. As for the Church that You have established in the wilderness, through the intercessions of the Theotokos and all the saints, deliver it from misfortunes and establish it forever.
Kontakion (Tone 5)
O most glorious martyrs and confessors, representatives of the blessed land of Kazakhstan, who have served Christ in every rank and age! Who can truly confess your ailments and feats, who can adequately proclaim the miracles of your faith, or render a worthy praise for the beauty of your confession? Yet, receive with love those who honor you, and offer prayers for the salvation of our souls.
Megalynarion
We magnify you, Holy New Martyrs and Confessors who have shone in the land of Kazakhstan, and we honor your holy memory, for you intercede for us before Christ our God.
