Kwethluk, Alaska, November 18, 2024
Carrying the relics of St. Olga. Photo: OCA Diocese of Sitka and Alaska
The joyous events surrounding the canonization and liturgical glorification of St. Olga (Arrsamquq) of Alaska continued in Kwethluk, Alaska, on Saturday November 16.
His Grace Bishop Alexei arrived the day before in Kwethluk, where St. Olga was buried. The Diocese of Sitka and Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America celebrated the 45th anniversary of her repose earlier this month, on November 8.
And on Saturday, her relics were reverently uncovered for the veneration of the faithful, in preparation for her glorification in June 2025.
Bp. Alexei presided over the uncovering of St. Olga’s relics. Photo: OCA Diocese of Sitka and Alaska
The Diocese of Alaska reports:
By the grace of God, His Grace, +Bishop ALEXEI alongside the clergy and faithful from across the diocese successfully uncovered the relics of Saint Olga and transferred them from her grave to Saint Nikolai Russian Orthodox Church. Hundreds of pilgrims were gathered around her holy grave during the uncovering. Breaking through ice and rock, the priests of the diocese labored for over 6 hours while the Holy Gospel was read. During the lifting of the casket and while she was being carried to the temple, over 2,000 names submitted to the diocese were prayed for before Saint Olga by the fathers of the diocese.
While this event is not the official glorification which is set for next summer, the uncovering of the relics is a major milestone toward Blessed Arrsamquq’s glorification by the Orthodox Church in America.
Today is a historic day for the Yup’ik nation, the Alaskan people and every Orthodox Christian throughout the world.
The diocese livestreamed the solemn event:
The diocese notes in a comment on Facebook that the livestream ended “because [they were] nearing the Holy Relics of Saint Olga, and out of reverence and respect with the fear of God, we have put away all cameras and live services.”
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