Our parish priest is Fr. Gewargis Sartbaev. In Iradi we say Kashysh Gewargis, the Americans say "Father George". He is in our parish from 2000. He is born in a village in Chatkal, in family of horse herders. He say when he was small boy, in Soviet time, the church in his village was closed, and his grandmother keep a small cross in the felt and pray at night in yurt. In 1992 when the churches open again he went to study in seminary in Iyık Janyl and he was among the first new priests after Soviet time. Some facts about Kashysh Gewargis: He say Qurbana in Iradi and Syriac and, since Americans come, also in English (his English is better than mine, he learn from cassettes). His name saint is St. Gewargis (23 April). On this day he go to the mountains and bless the horses of the herders. He say this is his favourite day of year, more than his birthday. He rides better than anybody in our youth group. He say "a Chatkal boy is born on the horse, the walking is learned later." He drive old UAZ jeep which break every month. Talant and Adilet push it many times. He play komuz. If you ask nicely, after friday meeting. He support Tulpar. We forgive him. He don't like when people say the statues in our church is "not Iradi". He say: "The Americans build us a church when we have nothing. A statue is a gift, and gift you don't criticize." If you need to talk to Fr. Gewargis, he is in church office every day after morning Qurbana, or call the parish.

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