Saint George Day Festal Appeal

The community of Saint George Island has faithfully cared for the St. George the Great Martyr Russian Orthodox Church since 1935. Built by the local people, the church was one of the few non-government owned structures in the community. Families continue to perform reader services on Sundays and on major feasts as they have for generations. Clergy are able to travel to Saint George Island to minister to the faithful from time to time.

In 2019, His Eminence, +Archbishop DAVID of blessed memory, made the first archpastoral visit to the island in a decade. It was a wonderful blessing for the community. His Eminence met with community leaders and the faithful and assured them of the diocese’s continued support and pastoral care. His Eminence also celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and blessed the fleet of fishing vessels.

The outbreak of COVID shortly thereafter prevented additional hierarchical visits as well as pastoral visits by priests to Saint George Island. Now that travel to the island is once again possible, His Grace, the Rt. Rev. ALEXEI, Bishop of the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska, has graciously accepted an invitation to make his first archpastoral visit to Saint George. The visit is scheduled to take place during the Feast of The Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer, and Wonderworker George (May 6/ April 23) May 3-8 of this year.

One can imagine how grateful and humbled the faithful are in anticipation of His Grace’s archpastoral visit after a long period of isolation. One of the items on the agenda will be how the diocese will continue the commitment made by Archbishop DAVID to care for and support not just the faithful on Saint George Island, but of the Aleutian Deanery as well.

In addition to His Grace and those traveling with him, representatives of other parishes in the deanery are planning to attend. The community of Saint George has solicited sponsors to help offset the costs of travel and logistics to help make this possible. A few of these sponsors include:
 

• Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA)
• St. George Tanaq Corporation
• Central Bering Sea Fisherman’s Association (CBSFA)
• Ounalashka Corporation
• Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association (APIA)
• The Aleut Corporation (TAC)
• Aleutian Housing Authority (AHA)

The community of Saint George Island also needs your support in addition to these generous sponsors.  Your financial gift will help offset expenses associated with travel, logistics, meals, and other necessities. By donating to this event, you will be helping to ensure that this celebration of the Feast of Saint George will be a source of joy and renewed faith needed after the long period of isolation. You will also be contributing to the ongoing pastoral and spiritual mission by Bishop ALEXEI to inspire and grow the holy Orthodox fatih in the Aleutian Deaney  Please consider donating today using the link below.

May God bless you in return with His heavenly blessings.

Donate to the 2023 Saint George Day Celebration now!

Please contact Reader Anthony Lekanof with any questions about the Saint George Festal Celebration or about the community itself via email.