Kwigillingok, Alaska, October 15, 2025
Photo: foxweather.com
An Orthodox church building and the local priest’s house were torn from their foundations and carried downstream during the catastrophic flooding that struck Western Alaska over the weekend, leaving one person dead and at least 20 missing.
His Eminence Archbishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska revealed the fate of St. Michael Church and the house of Fr. Noah Andrew in Kwigillingok in a call for prayer issued to the diocese”
The diocese confirms the safety of Father Noah of Kwigillingok and his family, even as their home, along with many others, was swept away by the river’s rising waters. With sorrow, it was also reported that Saint Michael Church in Kwigillingok was torn from its foundation and carried downstream.
St. Michael’s was built in 1975. Fr. Noah also serves the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Mission in Kipnuk, which lies in the flood zone as well.
Remnants of a powerful typhoon swept into Western Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta on October 12, 2025, producing a storm surge that flooded villages as far as 60 miles up the river. The water pushed homes off their foundations and set some afloat with people inside, officials said. More than 50 people had to be rescued in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, and hundreds were displaced across the region.
Fr. Noah Andrew. Photo: oca.org
Abp. Alexei called on the faithful to pray for the affected communities:
In particular, we hold before the Lord the communities of Kwigillingok, Kipnuk, Napakiak, Kongiganak, and Bethel, together with all the villages of the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta, Nunivak Island, and the coastal settlements toward Norton Sound. We especially remember the 20 people reported to be missing since the flooding began.
The Archbishop directed clergy throughout the diocese to offer petitions during the Divine Services in the coming week “for those who remain missing, for those courageously engaged in search and rescue efforts, and for those who have lost their homes, livelihoods, and stability.”
Those interested in offering donations to the effected communities can do so via the Western Alaska Disaster Relief 2025 Fund. The Fund is not run by the diocese but has been shared online by the diocesan secretary.
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A Prayer for Western Alaska:
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who didst rebuke the winds and the sea and there was a great calm, look down in Thy mercy upon Western Alaska. Rescue the missing, guard the living, heal the wounded, strengthen those who labor in peril to save and to serve, and temper the elements for Thy people’s good. By the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and of our Father among the Saints Herman of Alaska, grant protection, consolation, and hope; for Thou art a merciful God and the Lover of mankind. Through the prayers of our holy fathers have mercy on us and save us!
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