Former cleric of the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty
Father Jacob signed the open collective anti-war letter of the clergy, approached the diocesan leadership with a peacemaking initiative, and made a public statement in the media regarding the necessity of Kazakhstan's withdrawal from the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) and the creation of a Self-Governing Church in Kazakhstan, asserting that it is necessary to "isolate ourselves from the aggressor by all possible means."
He was subjected to a harassment campaign by the cathedral clergy, which included denunciation letters, demands for a boycott, being defrocked, and being suspended from serving. He was subsequently dismissed from teaching at the theological seminary and removed from his position as head of the diocesan commission for the canonization of saints.
He underwent leg surgery and did not have enough time to submit the required package of documents for enrollment at his new church. Aware of this situation, the rector wrote a denunciation against him. Father Jacob was summoned to a disciplinary committee. He refused to attend and published a post on his Facebook page stating that under such circumstances, he was ceasing his service within the active staff of the diocese.