Pilgrimage of Sitka Icon

Published by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, November 4, 2005

The Pilgrimage of the Sitka Icon arrives at OCMC

The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), St. Augustine, FL – On the evening of November 3^rd, the treasured Sitka Icon of Alaska finally arrived at the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. Anticipation filled the air as staff members and local parishioners from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church prepared for its arrival late that afternoon. At the special request of Bishop Nikolai, the Sitka Icon, which represents a long history of missions, stopped in St. Augustine during its tour in the lower continental 48 states.

As the service began, around a hundred people from Northeast Florida gathered to sing the Akathist Service to Our Lady of Sitka. Father Michael Oleska and Subdeacon Paul Erickson, both of Alaska, served with Father Nikitas of Holy Trinity Church here in St. Augustine. The room was filled with Orthodox faithful singing and venerating the most beautiful Sitka Icon Mother of God, which was painted by Vladimir Lukich Borovikovsky (1758-1825).

When the services ended Fr. Michael told the eloquent story of St. Innocent, John Veniaminov and his missionary work in Alaska. Following this mesmerizing story of Alaska’s first missionaries, Fr. Michael presented the Mission Center with a hand painted icon featuring saints and holy places of Alaska with the blessings of Bishop Nikolai of Alaska.

Fr. Michael also came with a reliquary cross made by one of his Russian students containing relics of Sts. Innocent, Herman and Jacob Nemetsov. The Orthodox faithful were then anointed with the holy oil from a vigil lamp that hangs in St. Michael Cathedral in Sitka, Alaska, and were also given the opportunity to venerate the Sitka Icon. Many healings and miracles have been credited to the Theotokos in response to prayers offered by countless faithful before the Sitka Icon. Shortly thereafter, a magnificent spread of refreshments was provided including Greek favorites such as pastitsio, dolmathes, tiropitas, baklava and melomakarona.

Once the pilgrimage tour is completed, the Sitka Icon will return to its home at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in Sitka, Alaska.

The Orthodox Christian Mission Center: Helping Orthodox Christians respond to Christ's call to preach, teach, baptize, minister to the poor and make disciples of all nations as the official international mission agency of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA).



Volume 7 Number 44 - Saturday, November 5, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY