In a momentous celebration marking 200 years since St. Innocent (Veniaminov) performed the first Divine Liturgy on the Alaskan Peninsula, Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) led a pilgrimage to Alaska. The commemorative events began on August 16 with Metropolitan Tikhon’s arrival in Unalaska, invited by Bishop Alexis of Sitka and Alaska.

St. Innocent, revered as the Apostle of Siberia and America, was appointed a missionary to Russian America in 1824. Over the next 15 years, he dedicated his life to enlightening local populations, baptizing thousands, constructing churches and schools, creating an alphabet for the Aleut language, and combating smallpox epidemics. He later became the bishop of Kamchatka, the Kurils, and the Aleutians. In 1977, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized him as a saint.

On August 18, Metropolitan Tikhon presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Ascension of the Lord Cathedral in Unalaska, with Bishop Alexis and Father Timothy Kolb serving alongside him. Following the service, the cathedral was awarded a synodal diploma commemorating the 200th anniversary of St. Innocent's first liturgy there.

The day also featured a grand reception at the Grand Aleutian Hotel in Unalaska. The festivities included traditional dances by the local indigenous community. After a luncheon with welcoming speeches from Unalaska Mayor Vincent Tutyakov and local representatives, Metropolitan Tikhon concluded his visit with a Vespers service for the Feast of the Transfiguration and a celebratory meal with the local residents before returning to Washington, D.C.

Earlier this summer, Metropolitan Tikhon had called on the faithful to support the Alaskan Diocese, emphasizing its foundational role in Orthodox Christianity in America. At the 20th All-American Council in Baltimore in June, challenges faced by Alaskan clergy were discussed, leading to a resolution for annual fundraising across OCA dioceses to support the Alaskan Diocese. By August 25, the diocese had successfully raised one million dollars. The diocese has since developed a fund management policy and hired a managing company. The Bishop of Alaska expressed gratitude to Metropolitan Tikhon, the OCA Holy Synod, and all contributors in a video message celebrating this successful initiative.

Photo: Orthodox Church in America / oca.org