Appeal of the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan on the occasion of the celebration in honor of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Quick noviciate" in the Kostanay diocese

November 22, 2024 - in the church calendar, a celebration in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Quick noviciate". In the main temple of the Kostanay diocese - the Constantine and Helen Cathedral of the city of Kostanay, for two decades, the icon of the Mother of God "Quick noviciate " has been especially revered, which was painted for the residents of Kostanay on Mount Athos at the beginning of the 20th century. On the back of the image is the inscription: "The icon was painted and consecrated on Mount Athos in the Monastery of the Holy Trinity under the abbacy of Hieromonk Seraphim. 1909."

The head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, on the occasion of the celebration in honor of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Quick noviciate" in the Kostanay diocese sent his message to Orthodox believers:

All-honorable fathers, dear brothers and sisters, residents of the land of Kostanay!

I sincerely congratulate you all on the feast in honor of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Quick noviciate". This ancient image of the Queen of Heaven, painted in the 10th century, is located on the holy Mount Athos, in the Dochiar monastery. The monastery tradition tells of a special event, thanks to which this icon was glorified. In 1664, the monk Nil, an inhabitant of the monastery, was strictly admonished by the Mother of God for his careless attitude towards Her most pure face - he was struck blind. In bitter repentance, Nil began to pray before the icon of the Sovereign Lady, begging for forgiveness, then he heard a wonderful voice, informing him of mercy and healing. The Mother of God said the following words: "From now on, this icon of mine will be called the Quick noviciate, because I will quickly show mercy and fulfillment of requests to all who come to her."
A pious tradition appeared - the monks of the Holy Mount Athos began to create copies of this ancient image, which were then consecrated before the face of the Queen of Heaven, glorified by miracles. One of these icons, painted on Athos in 1909 in the Trinity Skete of the Great Lavra, now sanctifies the city of Kostanay and this entire generous Kazakh region, called the country's breadbasket. This ancient image of the "Quick noviciate" became famous for miracles; From those ancient times to the present day, through prayers to the Mother of God, those suffering from illnesses receive healing, those grieving receive consolation and those in difficult circumstances receive help. The icon of the Holy Mother of God that we venerate today is associated with famous ascetics of faith and piety, including the ever-memorable Bishop Timon (Rusanov), the first archpastor of the Kustanai land, a confessor of the faith, a fighter against atheism and schism, a fearless preacher of God's truth and a denouncer of unbelief. In prayers before the Athonite icon of the "Quick noviciate" he, like many other ascetics and sufferers for Christ, gained strength to work tirelessly for the sake of affirming holy Orthodoxy and the benefit of his neighbor.
Glorifying the holy icon of the Queen of Heaven, brought to the Kustanai land by our pious ancestors 115 years ago, we, like the righteous Elizabeth once, can exclaim: “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). We turn our gaze to her and pray with the words of the troparion: “Hear our prayer quickly, O Virgin, for you are called the Quick noviciate, for you are a quick Helper in sorrows for your servants.”
Addressing the Most Holy Theotokos in prayer, an Orthodox Christian calls her by many exalted names - Queen of Heaven, Mistress of the world, More honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious than the Seraphim, zealous Intercessor, Joy and Consolation. But the warmest, most heartfelt appeal to Her is Mother. She is the Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of our Life. But at the same time, she is the loving Mother of each of us. Why can we address the Queen of Heaven in this way? Who gave us such great boldness? The answer is this: in relation to the Mother of God, we are all her children, adopted at Golgotha during the Savior’s suffering on the Cross. The words of the Lord, originally spoken to the Apostle John the Theologian, “Here is your mother!” (John 19:26), are addressed to each of us. Children are born in agony – in the agony at the Cross She became our spiritual Mother, intercessor and protector, patroness. Therefore, everything that relates to the life and miracles of the Most Holy Theotokos, as the common Mother of all Christians, is especially dear to the hearts of believers. That is why so many prayers and hymns are dedicated to her. That is why not a single Orthodox service is performed without invoking her name. That is why such special reverence and veneration surrounds the images of her most pure face – holy icons. We look at the images of the Queen of Heaven and with spiritual eyes we contemplate Her heavenly glory. Looking at the icons of the Mother of God, we feel and realize that She is with us, hears our prayers and accepts each of us with motherly love.

"The icons of the Mother of God," writes Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov), "miracles work throughout the land, preach, bear witness and capture signs of the truth of Christ's teaching." Worship of the revered icon of the Mother of God "Quick noviciate," prayer before this ancient shrine and participation in festive services are for each of us, for our Church, for our native land, a source of divine blessings, a testimony of mercy from the Lord, serve to strengthen faith and encourage acts of mercy. The outstanding hierarch of the 19th century, Saint Theophan the Recluse, gives the following spiritual advice: "Hurry to the grieving, and the ray of mercy of the Most Holy Theotokos, overshadowing them, will overshadow you too."

I congratulate you all, dear fathers, brothers and sisters, on the celebration dedicated to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary and I wish all of us, through the intercession of the Queen of Heaven and the intercession of the new martyrs and confessors of Kazakhstan, according to the word of the apostle, to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (1 Tim. 6:11).

Celebrating the ancient Athonite icon of the Mother of God venerated in the Kostanay diocese, let us pray to Her with the words of the kontakion, a short liturgical hymn: “Give us, O Lady, a hand of help, as Your Son did to the Apostle Peter (Matt. 14:28-31), and hasten to deliver us from troubles, so that we cry out to You: Rejoice, all-good Quick noviciate!”

Invoking God's blessing,

HEAD OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF KAZAKHSTAN

METROPOLITAN OF ASTANAI AND KAZAKHSTAN