Dear Parish Faithful,
Joyous News - The Orthodox Church in America has issued an official proclamation announcing the glorification of Matushka Olga of Alaska. She is now numbered among the saints whose names are on the ecclesiastical calendar!
Her feast day is November 10, and she is also commemorated on the Second Sunday After Pentecost when the OCA celebrates All the Saints of North America. Please read the Proclamation on our Midwest Diocese website.
- Fr Steven
Scroll down for the following:
- Icons and photos of Matushka Olga
- An Akathist to Matushka Olga, composed by Fr. Lawence Farley
- Metropolitan Tikhon's video announcement
NOTE: This page is under development, and we hope to add to it and expand it over the coming years.
Special article, 'Matushka Olga Michael of Alaska', by Kevin Wigglesworth
The Canadian Journal of Orthodox Christianity, Volume III, No 1, Winter 2008
This well researched article presents a brief Life of St Olga, plus an account by Fr Michael Oleksa of a miraculous vision of Matushka Olga and the healing of the woman who had the vision. Photos and icons of Matushka Olga, plus other photos of interest are included.
From the article: “Matushka Olga’s ‘ministry’ may be considered a ‘living icon’ of the Gospel used on the Sunday of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-36).”
See also the article on Saint Olga of Alaska at OrthodoxWiki...
On March 17, 2024, His Grace, +Bishop Alexei, traveled to Kwethluk, Alaska with members of the Diocesan Chancery to hear the people’s thoughts on the upcoming glorification of Saint Olga of Alaska, Mother to Kwethluk and first glorified handmaiden of the Holy Orthodox Church in the Alaskan lands...
This first short film on Saint Olga was presented to the Holy Synod during the Spring Session in April 2024 and it seems good to them and to the Holy Spirit that Saint Olga’s holy relics remain on her ancestral lands in her village of Kwethluk.
How You Can Help: The Church in Alaska is asking for your generous donations to build for the glory of God: a new temple dedicated to St Olga, plus a Hospitality Center for pilgrims, and a Cultural Center to preserve and foster the Yup'ik faith, way of life, and language. For more info and links to donate, view the YouTube page for this film...
Akathist to Matushka Olga Michael
by Archpriest Lawrence R. Farley *
Matushka Olga was the wife of a Yupik priest in an Alaskan village. She was not only mother to her own eight surviving children, but also spiritual mother to those in her parish. Olga served quietly, working as midwife in her village and constantly caring for the needy. She had a special gift in working with those who suffered abuse, especially sexual abuse. After her repose on November 8, 1979, many people experienced her coming to them in dreams, bringing her healing gifts. Matushka Olga’s sanctity reveals the possibilities for genuine theosis and holiness, even for those living in the world.
$4.95 from Ancient Faith Publishing
* We use Fr Lawrence Farley's new Akathist to St Herman of Alaska in our parish life. He is the pastor of St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church (OCA) in Langley, B.C., Canada, and has several books published by Ancient Faith Publishing.
