Met. Maximilian of Irkutsk Visits Alaska, Strengthening Historic Orthodox Ties

Pictured from left to right: Fr. Maxim Gibson, Fr. Vyacheslav Pushkarev (MP), Met. Maximilian, Abp. Alexei, Fr. George Kurtow (ROCOR). Photo: Diocese of Sitka and Alaska

ANCHORAGE, AK — From Oct. 12–19, 2025, His Eminence Met. Maximilian of Irkutsk and Angarsk made an official visit to the Orthodox Church in America's (OCA) Diocese of Sitka and Alaska, marking a week of prayer, fellowship, and celebration of the region’s deep Orthodox roots. He was accompanied by Fr. Vyacheslav Pushkarev (Moscow Patriarchate) and Fr. George Kurtow (ROCOR).

According to a release from the diocese, Met. Maximilian was welcomed in Juneau by His Eminence Abp. Alexei of Sitka and Alaska and local clergy following his participation in the centennial celebrations at Fort Ross, Calif. The hierarchs visited St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, where hymns were sung in both Tlingit and Slavonic, and shared a meal with the local community.

The delegation then traveled to Sitka, visiting historic St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Bishop’s House, before continuing to Kodiak for tours of St. Herman Seminary and a pilgrimage to Spruce Island, where an Akathist to St. Herman of Alaska was offered. In Anchorage, the hierarchs visited several parishes and concluded the visit with the celebration of the All-Night Vigil and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Innocent of Irkutsk Cathedral.

The week concluded with a banquet of thanksgiving, marking a memorable reaffirmation of friendship and shared faith between the Churches of Russia and Alaska.

"The diocese offers its sincere gratitude to His Eminence, Met. Maximilian, for his time, his prayers, and his fatherly love for the people of Alaska," the release states. "His visit was a blessing for our clergy, seminarians, and faithful, and a joyful affirmation of our deep historical and spiritual roots in Orthodox Christian witness across Alaska."

Previously, UOJ reported that, in light of recent storms and flooding in western Alaska, Abp. Alexei has called for fervent prayer.

Read also