Heaven Week and the Ordination of Innokenty Heckert to the Holy Diaconate

Every one or two years, an event of great spiritual significance takes place on Kodiak Island - Heaven Week.This cherished tradition sees His Grace, +Bishop Alexei, journey to Saint Herman Theological Seminary to graciously serve seven consecutive days of hierarchical divine liturgies. The purpose of these gatherings serve as a profound training opportunity for seminarians in the order and divine beauty of the liturgical services. The importance of this year's Heaven Week is magnified due to its connection with the glorification of our Blessed Matushka of All Alaska, Saint Olga, a momentous occasion that involves the seminarians serving heavily in the hierarchical services.

Customarily, Heaven Week unfolds at the All-Saints Russian Orthodox Chapel. However, this year, at the invitation of Father Innocent Dresdow, dean of Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Cathedral, the divine liturgies were held in the sacred Cathedral. This change in venue provided an enriched atmosphere for His Grace to engage with the seminarians, offering them guidance and instruction while also opening up Heaven Week to any of the faithful who desired to attend. With the blessing of His Grace, Father Thomas Rivas, the current episcopal deacon, also assisted in mentoring the seminary brothers. 

A harmonious blend of voices, led by Deacon Anton Lekanof, Reader Michael Hunner, and Matushka Kassiani, elevated the sacred music to prayerful heights. The choir's proficiency with liturgical compositions in both Church Slavonic and the Yup'ik language demonstrated the seminary's cultural richness.

The highlight of Heaven Week was the ordination of Innokenty Heckert to the holy diaconate, performed by His Grace, +Bishop Alexei, on Meatfare Sunday at Holy Resurrection Cathedral. The solemn ceremony, imbued with profound spiritual significance, witnessed the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit’s divine grace upon Innokenty Heckert by Vladyka Alexei. Among those gathered were his family, including his wife Katherine, their son Kyril, his mother and several siblings who traveled from Homer to honor this sacred moment. 

The presence of clergy faculty and the seminary brotherhood reinforced the sense of community and support for Father Innokenty in his new ordained role. His Grace, +Bishop Alexei, extended a heartfelt request to the Church in Kodiak and in Alaska to keep the newly ordained Father Innokenty and his family in their prayers, as he embarks on this new chapter of service and dedicationNewly ordained Deacon Innokenty with Matushka Katherine and their son.