Anchorage, Alaska, August 12, 2025
Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kodiak. Photo: afar.com
The Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of Sitka and Alaska has announced a week of special prayer services leading up to the planned meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, August 15.
His Grace Bishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska issued a pastoral letter on August 9 calling for the diocese’s clergy, monastics, and faithful to participate in what he termed a “three-day ascent of intercession” from August 12-14, culminating in a day of prayer on August 15 when the leaders are scheduled to discuss potential paths toward peace in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
“In this hour we ask our Lord Jesus Christ to guide these talks with mercy, to calm enmity, and to end the shedding of blood,” Bp. Alexei stated in the official communiqué. “That they occur in Alaska is meaningful to us: this land has long been a bridge between Russia and America, first formed spiritually by the Orthodox faith planted here by Saint Herman, Saint Innokenty, and Saint Yakov (Netsvetov), a faith kept by Alaska Native peoples to this day.”
The diocese has organized services at churches throughout Alaska, with special observances at three significant religious sites:
On Tuesday, August 12 at 6:00 p.m., churches will hold a Moleben for Peace with an Akathist to St. Olga of Kwethluk, with special services before her relics in Kwethluk. St. Olga, known as the “Matushka of All Alaska,” is venerated as a healer and reconciler.
Wednesday, August 13 at 6:00 p.m. will feature a Moleben for Peace with an Akathist to St. Herman of Alaska, including special services at Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kodiak before his relics. St. Herman, who came from Valaam Monastery to Alaska in the 18th century, is remembered for defending indigenous peoples and promoting unity.
Thursday, August 14 at 6:00 p.m. will see a Moleben for Peace with an Akathist to the Sitka Icon of the Mother of God, with special services at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Sitka before the historic icon, which the diocese describes as “a historic bond between Russian piety and Alaskan faith.”
On Friday, August 15, the day of the summit, the diocese has declared a general day of prayer for peace. Churches will remain open for quiet prayer where feasible, and bells will ring at noon to gather the faithful. Those unable to attend services are encouraged to pray the Akathist to the Theotokos of the Jesus Prayer at home.
The diocese emphasized that from an Orthodox perspective, praying for leaders is “a spiritual duty, not a political act,” citing scriptural calls to pray for those in authority. “Although the war is far away, the Church understands suffering anywhere to touch us all. When leaders are present in Alaska, they are our guests, and Christian hospitality includes intercession for wisdom, restraint, and just decisions,” the official statement noted.
Bp. Alexei’s pastoral letter specifically called for prayers for “the protection of the innocent, the return of captives, and the comfort of the grieving and afflicted” in both Ukraine and Russia, acknowledging the “immeasurable sorrow borne by Ukrainian and Russian faithful alike.”
The molebens are open to all members of the public.
For more information about the prayer services, the diocese can be contacted at 907-677-0224 or commsecretary@odosa.org.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
