Matushka Olga full service: Vespers, Matins, Liturgy
We will be celebrating the first annual celebration of the newly-canonized St. Olga later this month: October 27th. The OCA has published her service both in a readers format, for a simple reading of the service without singing, and also pointed to be sung. Those are available on the OCA liturgical resources page for the […]
Homily on the Glorification of St. Olga of Alaska
This is a transcription of the sermon given by Archbishop Alexei, Bishop of Sitka and the Diocese of Alaska at the primatial Divine Liturgy for Saint Olga’s glorification on June 20th, 2025 at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, in Kwethluk, Alaska. “Today, the Holy Church in Alaska joins the choirs of heaven, glorifying our beloved matushka. […]
Most Importantly: St. Jacob Understands the People
St. Jacob of Alaska was also an astute observer of the native people: their habits, their customs, and sometimes even their disposition towards the gospel. Every once in a while, his journals have an aside to explain points of interest—the dangers of navigation and shipping in Alaskan waters, the entryway of native houses in different […]
How is St. Jacob an example for us today?
Importance of Family — Our town or region may not compare to 1800s Alaska, but there are plenty of lessons to be learned from St. Jacob that can be applied to any situation. Though little is made of it, St. Jacob’s relationship with his family seems to be key. He sailed to his first parish […]
A Baseless Accusation against St. Jacob
A decade later, in 1849, after faithful service in the Yukon region, St. Jacob asked for an assistant. As Fr. Michael Oleksa says it, he was sent an “unhappy misfit”, Hieromonk Filaret, sent against his will to Alaska. He ended up attacking St. Jacob with a pistol and later an ax, and needing to be […]