Saint Michael Day Celebrated in Sitka Alaska

In the ever-dimming light of the late afternoon in Alaska, the faithful of Saint Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral begin to gather, carefully walking over the layer of ice covering everything. In the dark Cathedral, the Subdeacons and readers light the candle chandeliers and each parishioner, as they come to venerate the Holy Icon of the Supreme Commander of the Heavenly Hosts and Our Lady of Sitka, adds a little more candlelight to the festal joy. This is the 176th year that the feast of the Holy Archangel Michael is celebrated in Sitka. By the time the bells begin to ring, the Church is radiant.
Standing in the candle-lit Cathedral, one can feel the closeness of the Mother of God, the host of Angels, and the Saints. Surrounded by their holy prayers, one’s heart grows warm and prayer comes easily and joyfully, carried along by the divine grace being poured out on all.  The Chancellor of the Diocese, Archpriest Daniel Charles presided over the services, with Dean of Cathedral Priest Herman Belt concelebrating. Over the course of the week-long celebrations, the All-night Vigil and Divine Liturgy were celebrated twice, as well as an Akathist to Our Lady of Sitka. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, Archpriest Daniel was presented with a pectoral cross, which was beaded in the traditional Tlingit style by Subdeacon Yakov Payenna.
    On Sunday evening a grand banquet was held featuring; Tlingit dancers, Unangax and Yupik dancers from Mount Edgecumbe High School, Russian Dancing group the New Archangel Dancers, traditional Tlingit storytelling by Bob Sam, and a performance by the Saint Michael’s Choir, highlighting pieces in Tlingit and Slavonic. The joy on the faces of the faithful was evident to all. One person commented, “My favorite part [of the banquet] was the story from Bob Sam. He conveyed a deeply spiritual message with the characteristically subtle Tlingit humor.The entire event wove Orthodox and Native tradition together, just like the Orthodox Church in Alaska.” A local custom is to offer a cake for the feast day in honor of the departed, and this year's cake was offered in memory of John Sam, John Paul Jr. and Lavrenty Young.