Seattle, October 13, 2023
St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral, Sitka AK – Facebook His Grace Bishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska (Orthodox Church in America) recently undertook a trip throughout the Pacific Northwest to raise funds for the stipend fund for the struggling clergy of the Alaska Diocese.
At every stop, including Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Paulsbo, Kirkland, and Vashon Island, His Grace was accompanied by the wonderworking Sitka Icon of the Mother of God.
And according to the press service of the Diocese of Alaska, every visit brought reports of miracles worked through the intercession of the Mother of God in her wonderworking icon. The diocese specifically mentions a few:
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One man’s back was healed
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One woman was saved from a burst appendix when she felt prompted in her spirit to go to the hospital while praying before the icon, even though she didn’t know anything was wrong at the time
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A child was miraculous healed of brain cysts (Bp. Alexei was shown the before and after scans)
Photo: roea.org
Hundreds of faithful came out to every stop to attend the Divine services, hear His Grace’s presentation about the needs of the Alaskan clergy, and venerate the Sitka Icon.
Bp. Alexei spoke about the history and current needs of the diocese, and “the faithful, moved by the presentation, were exceedingly generous.”
The report notes that his trip began at the Romanian Diocesan Congress, where Bp. Alexei concelebrated with His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel and His Grace Bishop Andrei, followed by a trip to All Merciful Savior Monastery on Vashon Island, under Abbot Tryphon, where the newly composed Akathist to Our Lady of Sitka was sung.
One priest said. “His Grace worked tirelessly over this thirteen-day journey to bless the faithful of the Northwest with these holy treasures of Alaska, and to advocate on behalf of his Diocese, with an emphasis on the need to support his priests who often undergo heroic labors for the Lord for very little material reward. The Clergy of the area were warm and gracious, and had a real love for Christ’s Holy Church in Alaska.”
Visit the site of the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska to contribute to its rectory construction fund, clergy stipend fund, missionary fund, or land management fund.
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