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Ouzinkie, Alaska
February 10th, 2007
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February 10, 2007 Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Ouzinkie, Alaska.
Originally founded by the Russian American Company for retired company employees, Ouzinkie has stood as one of the most faithful villages in all of Alaska for over 200 years. Ouzinkie was beloved of St. Herman where he cared for orphans and built a school, it was also beloved of the ever-memorable Archimandrite Gerasim Schmalz who gave his life to Alaska from the late 1910's through 1969 when he went to eternal rest in Kodiak.
His Grace, the Right Reverend NIKOLAI, Bishop of Sitka Anchorage and Alaska and his entourage of clergy and seminarians traveled to Ouzinkie in three separate boat-loads. Originally, the plan had been to fly to Ouzinkie, but inclement weather (fog) made that impossible. Determined to go to Ouzinkie not wanting to disappoint the people who had worked so hard to prepare for his visit and to celebrate the ordination of Evon Bereskin to the Holy Diaconate, His Grace was hopeful that another way to Ouzinkie would be found. Villagers soon stepped forward to offer ferry on a small skiff. His Grace and five others crossed the straits to Ouzinkie arriving to a beautiful welcome of banners, faithful villagers and, of course, the local kennel club. Ouzinkie was the first village His Grace, Bishop NIKOLAI visited after coming to Alaska in 2001 and thus has always had special significance for him.
Click here to see a slideshow from Ouzinkie, Alaska!
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In Ouzinkie, the beautiful liturgy was celebrated in the historic church there and Evon Bereskin was ordained to the diaconate. Deacon Evon, originally from Unalaska, is in his last year of seminary. In his homily, Bishop NIKOLAI spoke of his conviction that Ouzinkie should not be left without a priest. (Father Evon will, God willing, be ordained to the priesthood later this year and assigned to Ouzinkie).
Vladyka NIKOLAI with the newly ordained Deacon Evon and family
 A festive banquet was help in the village cultural center and the trip home was uneventful on the beautiful sea.
 Before leaving, His Grace paid a visit to David Canfield, husband of Angeline Canfield, who has been battling pancreatic cancer for 5 years. David is convinced that the prayers of the church have kept him alive all this time and is filled with gratitude to God for this gift of life.
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Published with the blessing of
His Grace The Right Reverend NIKOLAI, Bishop of Sitka, Anchorage & Alaska
©2006 Russian Orthodox Diocese of Alaska
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