Anchorage, October 21, 2025
Evacuees at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. Photo: Saint Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Following the catastrophic flooding that struck Western Alaska last weekend, sweeping away St. Michael Church and the home of Fr. Noah Andrew in Kwigillingok, the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of Alaska has organized a coordinated response to assist the thousands of displaced residents, many of whom have been evacuated to Anchorage.
His Eminence Archbishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska has directed clergy throughout the diocese to offer petitions during Divine Services for those who remain missing, for search and rescue teams, and for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Despite losing his own home, Fr. Noah Andrew has decided to remain with his flock in Kwigillingok.
On Sunday, October 19, St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Anchorage hosted a meeting to organize relief efforts following the celebration of the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle and the historic visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Maximilian of Irkutsk, the cathedral reports.
Representatives from parishes in Wasilla, South Anchorage, and Kenai attended the meeting, which resulted in several concrete action plans.
Yesterday, clergy from the Anchorage area gathered at 11:00 AM at the Alaska Airlines Center to offer spiritual care, holy icons, and prayers to evacuees while assessing their needs. This ministry will continue throughout the week as clergy arrive for the Diocesan Assembly.
On Friday, October 24, St. Innocent Cathedral will host an Alaska Native Food Night at 6:00 PM. Meeting participants noted that many families lost not only their homes but also the harvested food they had prepared for the winter. Attendees are asked to bring prepared dishes, drinks, or utensils.
Parishes throughout the diocese will begin organizing clothing, food, and supply drives in the coming days. The cathedral has already delivered the first round of donations to those in need. Volunteers will also provide transportation from shelters to churches for those wishing to attend services or receive support.
Abp. Alexei with Met. Maximilian of Irkutsk. Photo: Saint Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral
In a statement read during Sunday’s Divine Liturgy, Abp. Alexei noted the providential timing of Met. Maximilian's visit:
Providentially, this tragedy has unfolded during the conclusion of a seven-day pilgrimage throughout Alaska with our honored guest, His Eminence Metropolitan Maximilian of Irkutsk. At every holy site we visited, the afflicted and those helping were remembered before the saints and especially before the wonderworking Icon of Our Lady of Sitka and our St. Herman of Alaska. Through their holy intercessions and through the sacrificial love we offer one another, we may become instruments of God's mercy to those in desperate need—not only by providing material sustenance, as necessary as that is, but also by extending Christian friendship, encouragement, and hope.
His Eminence called on the faithful to sacrificially serve, and concluded with a prayer:
Beloved Fathers and faithful, this is a sacred moment for us to be the Church—to manifest the living Body of Christ in the midst of suffering. Let us be steadfast in prayer, generous in almsgiving, and tireless in compassion. Let us comfort the afflicted, strengthen the weak, and stand beside our brothers and sisters until the storm has passed and hope is renewed.
May the Lord Jesus Christ—Who calmed the raging sea and fed the multitudes in the wilderness—look with mercy upon His suffering people, and may His All-holy Mother spread her protecting veil over the land and people of Alaska. May He bless your every effort to serve, to give, and to love in His holy Name.
The flooding has affected multiple communities in the flood zone, including Kwethluk, the home of the recently glorified St. Olga of Alaska. Governor Mike Dunleavy has stated that the damage is so severe that some evacuees may not be able to return to their homes for 18 months.
Those wishing to offer financial support can donate through the Western Alaska Disaster Relief 2025 Fund, which has been shared online by the diocesan secretary.
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