« Bishop Matthew of Sourozh took part in the celebration of the glorification of Saint Olga of Kwethluk (Alaska) »

Festivities were held in Alaska on June 18-22 to mark the canonization of Saint Olga of Kwethluk (Alaska). The celebrations were held in pursuance of the resolution of the Synod of the Orthodox Church in America on November 8, 2023.

At the invitation of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, acting administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, took part in the festive services. His Grace was accompanied on his pilgrimage to Alaska by the Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Priest Mark Rashkov, and the Bishop's personal secretary, N.V. Trubnikov.

On Saturday evening, June 21, on the eve of the celebration of the Synaxis of All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Land of Russia and America, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada led the all-night vigil in the St.Innocent Cathedral of the Alaska Diocese in Anchorage, where the day before a reliquary containing a portion of the holy relics of the righteous Mother Olga was delivered from Kwethluk.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church in America was assisted by Archbishop Alexy of Alaska, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco, Bishop Jacob of Sonora (ROCOR), Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, Bishop Andrew of Cleveland, and Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth.  The hierarchs were assisted by a host of clergy of the Orthodox Church in America, as well as numerous pilgrims in holy orders from various Orthodox jurisdictions in the United States, Canada, and other countries. About a thousand pilgrims venerated the holy relics of the newly glorified righteous woman during the evening service.

On Sunday, June 22, on the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost and on the feast of all saints who shone forth in the Russian and American lands, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Innocent's Cathedral in Anchorage, assisted by hierarchs and clergy.

At the end of the service, His Beatitude warmly greeted his fellow bishops, clergy, and numerous pilgrims who had traveled a considerable distance to take part in the church-wide celebration of the glorification of the new saint of North America.

Bishop Matthew of Sourozh conveyed to Metropolitan Tikhon and his entire God-saved flock the most heartfelt greetings on behalf of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', on the occasion of the canonization of the holy righteous mother Olga, who became the first in the council of North American saints to be born in the USA and "the beautiful fruit of the saving sowing" of Russian Orthodox missionaries of previous centuries.

Bishop Matthew presented His Beatitude with an icon of St.Vladimir, the Equal-to-the-Apostles Baptizer of Rus' standing together with Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow, and Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kyiv. Vladyka presented Archbishop Alexy of Alaska with an icon of the holy prophet Elijah, and Archpriest Thomas Rivas, the sacristan of the cathedral, with an icon of Saint Tikhon and Hieromartyr Protopresbyter Alexander Khotovitsky.

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