Archbishop Alexei (Trader) of Sitka and Alaska
On the eve of the meeting in Alaska between the Presidents of Russia and the United States, Archbishop of Sitka and Alaska Alexei (Trader) called upon Orthodox Christians to undertake a special three-day fast and prayer for the sake of peace.
“We, the clergy, monasticism and faithful people of the Diocese of Budimlje and Nikšić, inform the public regarding the hasty and rigid reactions of the prosecutor’s office and criminal prosecution authorities,” the statement reads, expressing “protest, deep dissatisfaction and concern about selective and discriminatory treatment.”
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.
While the liberal Church of Sweden (Evangelical Lutheran), the largest religious denomination in the country, has consistently reported falling numbers, the Orthodox Church has been growing for several years now, thanks to immigration but also a noticeable number of conversions.
The service will be held at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and will be blessed with the presence of the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God and relics of the newly canonized St. Olga of Kwethluk.