St. Olga of Alaska Honored with New Parish Space in Finland

Photo: ort.fi

ESPOO, FINLAND — The parish hall at the Church of St. Herman of Alaska in Espoo has long been too small for the needs of the active local Orthodox community. Parishioners and staff had for years hoped for additional space, and their prayers were fulfilled in November, when the parish succeeded in renting new premises on the ground floor near the church. The rooms were furnished by the parishioners themselves according to the needs of the community, and beginning in the spring the new space will provide a venue for meetings, fellowship, and shared activities.

At the end of November, parishioners voted for a name for the new premises. On December 17, the space was named in honor of the newly canonized Alaskan ascetic, St. Olga of Alaska, and among parishioners it has already become known as “Olga’s Corner.” Located at Opinkuja 2, the new facilities reflect the growing devotion to St. Olga within the community.

St. Olga of Alaska was the wife of a priest, a midwife, and the mother of 13 children. She was canonized in 2025 as the first native of North America and a representative of the Yupik Indigenous people. “Olga’s Corner” was blessed after the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of Theophany, January 6.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Russian Orthodox Church added St. Olga to its liturgical calendar. 

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