Metr. Tikhon Celebrates Feast of St. Olga of Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Metr. Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) presided over services honoring St. Olga of Alaska at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington on October 26–27, 2026, bringing together clergy and faithful from throughout the Archdiocese of Washington.

The celebration included a festal Vigil on Monday evening and the Divine Liturgy on Tuesday morning. A portion of St. Olga’s holy relics was placed in the center of the cathedral for veneration throughout the services. St. Olga, also known as the Righteous Mother Olga of Kwethluk and Matushka of All Alaska, was glorified as a saint in June 2025.

In his reflections, Metr. Tikhon highlighted the saint’s humility and compassion, emphasizing that her holiness emerged through ordinary acts of love rather than worldly recognition. As a wife, mother, and matushka in the Alaskan village of Kwethluk, St. Olga devoted herself to caring for her family and assisting those experiencing suffering, particularly women, mothers, and people enduring hardship and grief.

The services were concelebrated by Archpriests Alessandro Margheritino, David Bozeman, and Valery Shemchuk, along with Dcn. Igor Panyutin. Visiting clergy also participated. The Archdiocesan Choir, directed by Kevin Basil Fritts, provided the liturgical responses.

Metr. Tikhon reminded the faithful that St. Olga’s example demonstrates how everyday life can become a path to holiness through faith, selflessness, and God’s grace.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Alexei of Sitka presented a new Akathist to Our Lady of Sitka.