Abp. Alexei Joins Atka Faithful for St. Nicholas Feast Celebration
Atka’s Orthodox faithful celebrated St. Nicholas with worship, remembrance, and gratitude for a spiritual heritage that has endured across generations.
ATKA, AK — The faithful of Atka gathered from May 22–25 to celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas, welcoming Abp. Alexei and his delegation for several days of worship, remembrance, and community festivities.
The celebration began with the hierarch’s arrival on May 22, when elders, community leaders, families, and youth gathered to greet him. Following a Moleben for the Greeting of the Hierarch, Abp. Alexei reflected on the enduring Orthodox legacy of the Aleutian Islands, highlighting the missionary labors of St. Yakov Netsvetov, a native of Atka who carried the Gospel across Alaska under difficult conditions. Festal Vigil and Divine Liturgy followed, with hymns sung in both Unangam Tunuu and Church Slavonic by a combined choir from Atka and St. Paul Island.
During the visit, a Panikhida was served for the departed faithful of Atka, including former parish starosta Efstafi Snigaroff. Prior to the Divine Liturgy, Vasily Dushkin was formally elevated as the new starosta of St. Nicholas Parish. Abp. Alexei also presented a $5,000 donation from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Portland, Oregon, in recognition of the parish’s bicentennial witness to Orthodox Christianity in the region.
The festivities concluded with Atka Day celebrations at the St. Yakov Netsvetov School, featuring a community potluck and cultural presentations led by Tribal Council President Anastasia Dushkin and the Atka Unangax Dancers. During the event, Abp. Alexei was presented with a new Cross and Panagia in appreciation for his leadership and presence, as participants gave thanks for the enduring Orthodox faith of the Atka community.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Alexei supported the closure of an Alaskan liquor store.
