Month of Archpastoral Visitations

For the great and holy feast of Theophany, His Grace, +Bishop ALEXEI made an archpastoral visit to Saint Seraphim of Sarov Russian Orthodox Church in Dillingham, Alaska along with Deacon Thomas Rivas to serve the hierarchical divine services, the great blessing of waters, and to preside over the annual parish meeting. His Grace was received by Father Victor Nick, Rector of Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church along with a welcoming party from the parish. Following the all-night vigil, Vladyka ALEXEI spoke on the power of baptism and how the great feast of Theophany serves as a chance for all Orthodox to be spiritually nourished by the holy water of Theophany.

The next morning, Vladyka ALEXEI served the hierarchical divine liturgy and during Vladyka’s homily, His Grace taught:

“When we hear the word “Gospel,” our minds and our hearts go to our Lord Jesus Christ—everything He said and says, everything He did and does, everything He was, is, and forever will be. Saint John Cassian teaches that the Gospel embraces the birth Christ, the teachings of God, the miracles, the Passion, the Resurrection, and everything else touching the one and the same Christ. And what makes the Gospel good for us is that it is given to us. The Gospel is Christ’s voice speaking to us on earth even as He is seated in the highest heavens. His life related to our lives and his presence in our world, all contained in the Gospel, is what brings peace to our soul, light to our understanding, purity to our conscience, strength to our will, and a place of rest for our heart

Following the hierarchical divine liturgy, with His Grace presiding, Father Victor, along with faithful members of the parish, had an opportunity to update His Grace on the work of the parish, their challenges, and the many blessings that have occurred since the community began lifting COVID restrictions. Concluding the meeting, His Grace gave the blessing and direction to begin working on a conference committee model for the region. Further, His Grace commended the Sisterhood for all their work and stewardship in the parish.

For the following Sunday after the Baptism of Our and Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, His Grace, +Bishop ALEXEI made his first archpastoral trip Holy Transfiguration of the Lord Russian Orthodox Church in the Orthodox village of Newhalen, Alaska. His Grace ALEXEI was accompanied by Father Thomas Andrew, Chancellor of the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska and Deacon Thomas Rivas, and Subdeacon Eugene Bourdukofsky. Once landed, His Grace went directly to the parish where a moliben welcoming His Grace was served by the Rector of the parish, Father David Askoak. At the end of the all-night vigil, His Grace gave an encouraging word on the wonderful joy that is the Orthodox faith, saying “in all this land, in this entire village, this holy temple of the Transfiguration of the Lord is your Jersualem, the place where God dwells. This is the reality in every community where an Orthodox temple is planted”




The following morning, His Grace served the hierarchical divine liturgy and was able to bring out the holy relic of Saint Herman of Alaska for the faithful to venerate. Afterwards, His Grace served the blessing of head coverings, and provided a word regarding why the Orthodox Church has continues to practice this holy tradition. His Grace made the analogy that for women, the head covering not only serves a practice of humility before God in the holy temple, but that the head covering serves a type of vestment for women, akin to the vestments worn by the clergy during the divine services by calling her to prayer. His Grace gave a further word, teaching: 

“But what does the head-covering mean? Well, we can start by looking at what it means to cover anything in the context of Church. The Holy Chalice is covered by covering at the Great Entrance, the Altar is covered by the curtain. Bishops, priests, and deacons are covered by their vestments. Why do we cover the chalice and why is the curtain a covering for the altar? It is because the chalice is holy. It is because the altar is holy. So, we cover what is precious, what is honored, and what deserves protection. And those coverings themselves are holy, because they serve a holy function, setting something apart as respected, as special, and as worthy of reverence, much like the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of Solomon’s temple. So, a women’s head covering is not just like these coverings. It is such a covering, a vestment that is sacred.”

After spending time with the parish at a potlatch Sunday afternoon, the parish had an opportunity to engage with Vladyka and ask questions about the faith and the church in Alaska. There was an interest in how to attend Saint Herman’s Seminary in Kodiak, and how to bring back to Church those who have stopped attending since COVID due to multiple circumstances. Vladyka’s word in response was remind all Orthodox Christians of our duty to seek forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, and prayer for ourselves and with our brothers and sisters. Acknowledging that not everyone may return at the pace we would like, but by living the Orthodox life, we serve as an example of the joy and grace that living the Orthodox life bestows upon each of us. After the meeting, the parish received Vladyka’s blessing and welcomed His Grace back to Newhalen whenever possible.


 

The following weekend, His Grace accompanied by Deacon Thomas Rivas and Subdeacon Eugene Bourdukosky, traveled to Saint Herman of Alaska parish in Fairbanks, Alaska. Since His Grace gave the blessing for the parish to begin fundrasing for a new temple last year, Father Andrew Wassillie, Rector of Saint Herman of Alaska parish, provided an update to His Grace on the progress they have made. By the grace of God, plans are moving forward; however the parish has outgrown it's current building and therefore plans for an extension were blessed by Vladyka ALEXEI. 

As in Newhalen, His Grace served the blessing of headcoverings for the parish. Another word instructing the faithful was given on where this holy and ancient tradition stems from and why the Church has contuined to practice it. The parish then came together for a meal and invited His Grace back sometime during great and holy Lent.