Sitka, September 25, 2025
Spruce Island Books
The Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of Alaska has announced the establishment of Spruce Island Books as its official publishing partner, marking a new initiative to raise funds for the diocese’s missionary work throughout Alaska.
The partnership’s inaugural publication is Daily Prayers of the Orthodox Church, a prayer book featuring morning and evening prayers, prayer rules from the Holy Fathers, and the newly composed Akathist to St. Olga of Alaska. The book incorporates red and black illustrations created in traditional Yupik and other Alaskan themes, with designs inspired by the sacred decorations and iconostases of Russian Orthodox parishes across Alaska, the diocese reports.
A Kickstarter campaign has been launched to support the publication, offering contributors various gifts including wool beanies featuring the Tlingit-style Cross, prayer ropes from the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi on Mt. Athos, and icons blessed on the relics of St. Herman of Alaska, the diocese’s Heavenly patron.
As of the time of writing, the campaign has raised $4,855 of its $15,000 goal.
His Eminence Archbishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska, who serves as President of Spruce Island Books, explained that proceeds from the prayer book will help fund “a trilingual edition of our Divine Liturgy book so that our native priests will be able to serve the people in the languages of the people, preserving the sacred inheritance that was, of course, begun by St. Innocent, continued by St. Iakov, lived by St. Olga.”
Abp. Alexei encouraged supporters to participate in the initiative, stating, “You can be a part of this by helping the work of Spruce Island Books and by acquiring one of their new blessed prayer books, to the glory of God. Amen.”
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!
