Search
2022 Kuskokwim Conference
-
August 5, 2022On July 29th, His Grace +Bishop ALEXEI made an archpastoral visit to the communities of Osacarville, Atmautluak, and Napaskiak in anticipation of the Kuskokwim Conference. Accompanied by his newly ordained Priest Peter Kamilos and Subdeacon Thomas Rivas, this is the first opportunity since 2020 that a hierarchical visit to the Kuskokwim has been made possible after three previous attempts to visit the faithful in the Deanery were canceled due to the pandemic.
Upon arriving in Bethel, Priest Michael Trefon, Dean of the Kuskokwim Deanery received Vladyka ALEXEI and first brought Vladyka to the village of Oscarville to greet the faithful and to discuss with them the progress towards finishing the construction of Saint Matthew the Apostle Russian Orthodox Mission. After meeting with the faithful and benefactors of the Mission, His Grace traveled to Atmautluak where the faithful joyfully received Vladyka. Together with the Orthodox community, Vladyka consecrated the grounds for the building of a new Saint Herman of Alaska Russian Orthodox Church. After the consecration of the grounds, Vladyka spoke on the truly special privilege the community together shares "to build a new temple to the glory of God, a place where their children will be baptized, where sins will be forgiven, where candles will be lit, and where God will look down from heaven on them all." After blessing the faithful and departing after the breaking of evening bread, His Grace then arrived in Napaskiak where the 2022 Kuskokwim Conference was hosted.
Upon arriving in Napaskiak, Vladyka and the faithful processed to Saint Yakov the brother of Lord Russian Orthodox Church where a moliben greeting their hierarch was served. After inaugurating the Conference following the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Saturday, July 30th, His Grace and the clergy of the Kuskokwim Deanery were able to gather and discuss pastoral matters within the various parishes. After sharing their reports with Vladyka ALEXEI, the evening concluded with an all-night vigil.
At the sixth hour prior to the Sunday hierarchical divine liturgy, Vladyka gave a blessing to the faithful and presented them with a holy prayer rope from Greece. During the homily. Vladyka gave a word on the importance of prayer, and how the prayer ropes they were just given are used to remind us to pray for ourselves, our loved ones, those who are in need of God’s mercy, and those who are unkind to us.
After the Beatitudes, Vladyka ALEXEI bestowed upon Priest Michael Nicoli [Bethel], the privilege of bearing the gold cross for his 12 years of priestly service to this holy and God-protected Diocese of Sitka and Alaska. Axios!
Following the hierarchical divine liturgy, Vladyka ALEXEI convened the general conference where all were invited to attend. Vladyka gave several reports on the All American Council and the work the Diocese has done to gather support from the Orthodox Church in America to assist the mother diocese and her mission in this land. Vladyka and Father Vasily Fisher, Dean of Saint Herman's Seminary reported on the new seminary program and its return to the approach that our Father among the Saints Innocent of Alaska had established in the seminary in Sitka. Vladyka concluded his report by discussing the various ways the Diocese and clergy can begin to reengage the laity in the Church in a post-COVID environment. Vladyka blessed the revival of the Conference Committee comprised of representatives from each of the Deanery villages along with a blessing to encourage the youth and elders to participate. Notably, every report possible was first delivered in Yupik, and reports given in English were translated into Yupik.
At the conclusion of the Conference, His Grace thanked and blessed everyone who made it possible to host the Conference in Napaskiak. Vladyka expressed his desire to return soon to the Kuskokwim Deanery and assured them of his prayers as they continue to work to build Christ’s Vineyard in this beautiful region of Alaska.
Summary Highlights from the Kuskokwim Conference:- Vladyka has blessed the revival of the Conference Committee which is apprised of members from the varying villages in the Deanery.
- The next conference will take place in Kasigluk
- The traditional liturgical languages of the people are to be supported, encouraged, and practiced.
- There was a general call for young men to discern attending seminary
- The grounds in Atmautluak are blessed and fundraising for a new Church will begin
