Oziornoje, Kazakhstan
About the Location
Oziornoje, set deep in the Kazakh Steppe, was once a place of exile where thousands were deported by the Soviet regime in the 1940s. Enduring extremely harsh conditions, they survived with the help of local Kazakhs and by clinging to their faith.
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The region reflects a broader legacy of Soviet oppression in Kazakhstan, where millions suffered under famine, purges, and forced labor. Nearly 1.5 million, one-third of the country’s population, perished in famines alone, victims of brutal totalitarian policies.
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In 1993, the Church of Our Lady of Peace in Oziornoje was consecrated, and in 2001, Pope John Paul II called Oziornoje the National Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Peace, honoring the victims.
About the Altar
“The Star of Kazakhstan” is inspired by the Gospel of Luke and Saint John Paul II’s Roman Triptych. The closed panels feature the modern-day apostles of Divine Mercy, Saint Faustina and Saint John Paul II. The figures of Abraham and Isaac, when God tested Abraham’s faith, are also present.
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When open, the altar reveals a central monstrance in the shape of Mary cradling her Son, the Eucharistic Christ. Her mantle, woven like a fishing net, recalls a miraculous lake of fish that saved inhabitants from starvation during the years of the Patriotic War. The lake's appearance, as a fruit of fervent rosary prayer, is symbolized by the ruby rosary entwining the robe.
The wings of the altar depict the Two Witnesses from the Book of Revelation, representing the Christian mission across time. The crowns of the trees are
symbols of peace and hospitality, reflecting unity in cultural diversity through Christ’s love.
