His wife, Matushka Margaret has always been by his side. Together, the couple have played host to numerous church and state dignitaries, including the Patriarch of All-
Russia
, ALEXEI II and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
His Grace, Bishop NIKOLAI’s visit included the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the historic Annunciation Chapel in the Russian Bishop’s House. St. Innocent of
Moscow
built this mansion when he was Bishop of Alaska. It was one of the most modern buildings of its day housing a residence, school, orphanage and ecclesiastical center. The church owned it until 1973, by which time it had fallen into such disrepair that doing so was beyond the means of the Alaska Diocese and it was sold to the National Park Service who restored it to its original condition and turned it into a museum.
Click here to learn more about the Russian Bishop's House in Sitka, Alaksa
Vigil for the Sunday of All-Saints was celebrated at St. Michael’s Cathedral in the center of
Sitka.
The Priest Elia Larson, who was recently chosen to replace Fr. John, served the priestly portions of the Vigil, while Fr. John directed the choir.
Fr. Elia Larson has come to
Sitka
a few weeks prior to Fr. John’s move to
Anchorage
to be able to learn from his many years of priestly experience. Fr. Elia hopes to care for the faithful of St. Michael Cathedral in
Sitka
with the same love and dedication as Fr. John. He also hopes to focus his efforts on
Mt. Edgecombe High School,
Alaska's
largest boarding schools for Interior children. Some 300 Orthodox attend this school.
In his homily His Grace, Bishop NIKOLAI spoke of the qualities of a good pastor and a good matushka - qualities evident in both Fr. John and Matushka Maggie. He also stressed the necessity of loving and caring for one’s pastor as a spiritual father and encouraged the faithful of St. Michael Cathedral to love Fr. Elia and his family with the same love they gave Fr. John and his.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of All Saints, the parish council presented Fr. John with a jeweled-cross honoring him for his seven years of service to St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Sitka Orthodox community.
