Abp. Alexei Leads First Southeast Deanery Conference
Archbishop Alexei led Sitka’s radiant patronal feast of the Archangel Michael and the inaugural Southeast Deanery Conference, uniting clergy, Tlingit faithful, and youth in prayer, workshops, and joyful celebration of Alaska’s living Orthodox heritage.
SITKA, AK — From November 20-24, 2025, His Eminence Abp. Alexei of Sitka and Alaska made an archpastoral visit to historic Saint Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral for its patronal feast of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the inaugural Southeast Deanery Conference.
Accompanied by Chancellor Archpriest Daniel Charles and Dcn. Anton Lekanof, the archbishop celebrated a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on the feast day (November 21) and again on Sunday (November 23), concelebrating with local and visiting clergy. In his homily on the feast, Vladyka Alexei urged the faithful to fight the only battle that matters—the struggle for holiness—declaring, “We never fight alone. We always have the angels… and the great commander, the Archangel Michael.”
The weekend featured workshops trained altar servers and choir members in hierarchical services, while lectures explored Orthodox-Tlingit relations and baroque iconography. A moving Akathist to the Sitka Mother of God and a missions report from Saint Innokenty Mission rounded out the spiritual program.
The conference concluded with a grand banquet at Centennial Hall featuring performances by Mount Edgecombe High School Indigenous dance groups and the deanery choir singing Tlingit Orthodox hymns. Tlingit elder Herman Davis addressed the youth: “The trail has already been made; all you have to do is walk it… I thank the Almighty that I am a Russian Orthodox Christian.”
Participants departed renewed in faith, strengthened community ties, and gratitude for the living Orthodox witness in Southeast Alaska.
In August, the UOJ reported that Abp. Alexei led a pilgrimage to Spruce Island honoring St. Herman of Alaska.
