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Archbishop Varlaam congratulated the residents of Kizlyar on the 291st anniversary of the founding of the citytranslated

October 3, 2026 · 1 min read

Head of the administration of the urban district "city of Kizlyar"

I.I. LAZURKOV

Dear Ivan Ivanovich!

With all my heart I congratulate you and all the residents of Kizlyar on the 291st anniversary of the founding of the city.

Many significant pages of national history are connected with the Kizlyar land.

Cossacks have long settled here - valiant defenders of the Russian land, warriors and workers.

It was here, simultaneously with the city, that the first monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Caucasus was founded.

And throughout the history of the city, people of different nationalities and religions have lived and continue to live here, united by love for the Motherland, respect for each other, and loyalty to the best traditions of their ancestors.

The city is growing and developing through the efforts of all Kizlyar residents - Orthodox and Muslims, but we all carefully preserve the spiritual heritage bequeathed to us.

It is no coincidence that every year on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, many people from all corners of Dagestan and other regions flock here to walk through the streets of the city in a procession of the cross and offer prayers for the peace and prosperity of our people, our great Fatherland.

On this holiday, I wish you strength and God’s help in your responsible service in...

Source: Махачкалинская епархия  ·  Read the full story →
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💬 Comments (2) 🌐 Translate comments
G
Grace Hall
Thanks for sharing this. I didn't know the first monastery in the Caucasus was founded right there alongside the city — that's a powerful bit of history. The cross procession on the Exaltation of the Cross sounds like something I'd love to join one year.
P
Photini Taylor
That's interesting you picked up on the monastery part — it was the Kizlyar Holy Cross Monastery, founded in 1736 right with the town. The cross procession really does draw a huge crowd every September; my aunt from Astrakhan tries to make it most years. Have you ever been to that part of Dagestan?
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