Located in the Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel in Sitka, Alaska, the Sitka Mother of God Icon is among the most venerated religious images in North America. Believed to have been created by Vladimir Lukich Borovikovsky (1758–1826), a distinguished portrait painter and iconographer train

Saint Alexander was born in Asia and educated in Constantinople. After a period of military service, he embraced the monastic life in the Syrian wilderness under Igumen Elias. Following four years of obedience, he received a blessing to live in the desert, where he spent seven years in prayer wi

Saint Basil, Bishop of Ryazan and Murom, is commemorated by the Church on June 10 and July 3—the latter marking his repose in 1295. His holy relics were uncovered on June 10, 1609, and solemnly transferred to the Dormition Cathedral in Ryazan. Saint Basil is mentioned in the Lavrentian Chronicle

На 19 октомври 1238 г. мощите на Свети Йоан Рилски са тържествено пренесени в новата столица Търново и положени в църква, посветена на светеца. След това на 1 юли 1469 г. светите мощи на Свети Йоан са върнати в Рилската обител, където почиват и до днес, оказвайки благодатна помощ на всички вярва

Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of the Holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul, recalling the many ways their ministries and inspired writings have laid the very foundation of the Holy Church. In the third chapter of his second catholic epistle, the Holy Apostle Peter speaks of his fellow chief ap

Saint Joanna the Myrrhbearer Saint Joanna was the wife of Chuza (Χουζά), the steward of Herod’s household. She faithfully served the Lord during His public ministry, alongside several other devoted women. She is mentioned in the Holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 8:3; 24:10). According to Church

On June 16, 2025, attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom, along with co-counsel Eric Kniffin and George Ahrend, filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Orthodox Churches and priests to challenge a new Washington state law that criminalizes the confidentiality of confession. Filed in the U.S. Dis

Approved by the Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonic Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America on June 23, 2025 Yesterday, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America issued a solemn and strongly worded statement condemning the horrific terrorist atta

In Slavonic tradition, Saint Barlaam is commemorated during the Proskomedia with the venerable and God-bearing Fathers who excelled in asceticism, receiving the sixth particle. He is also commemorated on November 6 and February 10. Troparion — Tone 3 Exhausting your body by sleeping on the earth

During a special teleconference session on Tuesday, June 17, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America confirmed the nomination of Priest David Bozeman as Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America, as put forward by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. The appointment was made

Saint Paisius of Hilandar was born in the year 1722 in Bansko into a pious family. One of his brothers, Laurence, was igumen of Hilandar Monastery, and another was noted as a generous benefactor of Orthodox temples and monasteries. Saint Paisius himself went through his obedience at Rila Monaste

Saint Naum of Ochrid, a Bulgarian by descent, was one of the disciples of the holy Equals of the Apostles Cyril and Methodius (May 11), and he accompanied Saint Clement of Ochrid (July 27) when he preached the Gospel in Bulgaria. When Saint Clement set off to the southwestern regions, Saint Naum

The Bogolyubov Icon of the Mother of God, one of Russia’s oldest wonderworking icons, was painted in the 12th century at the request of Prince Andrew Bogolyubsky after the Mother of God appeared to him. Originally from Constantinople, the icon was brought to Vyshgorod in 1131 and housed in the D

Whoever fears God stands above all manner of fear. He has become a stranger to all the fear of this world and placed it far from himself, and no manner of trembling comes near him.

The official liturgical service texts, music, and the Life of the Righteous Olga of Kwethluk—approved by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America—are now available for download on the OCA site. Additional musical selections will be released in the coming weeks. These materials

07/06/2025 “I am deeply saddened to hear of the terrible flooding in central Texas along the Guadalupe River, along with the great loss of life. At this time, with many still missing, I urge the clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America to pray for the efforts of first responders and all

Saint George the God-bearer and Recluse labored in the Black Mountains near Antioch during a flourishing period for monasticism in the region. To avoid tensions that arose among monks of different nationalities, he withdrew to a remote, inaccessible cleft in the mountains, earning the name “Recl

Saint Stephen the Great became Prince of Moldavia on April 12, 1457, shortly after the murder of his father, Prince Bogdan II. As ruler, Stephen was both a fierce defender of his homeland against the advancing Ottoman Turks and a devout Orthodox Christian. Inspired by his deep faith, he became k

All Saints of North America by master iconographer Anton Daineko At the upcoming 21st All-American Council, to be held July 14–18, 2025, in Phoenix, AZ, a newly commissioned official icon of All Saints of North America will be unveiled for veneration by the faithful. In January 2024, His Beatitud

Saint Gelasius served as the abbot (igumen) of the Rimet Monastery in Transylvania. Before taking on this role, he lived as a hermit near the Rimet creek, where he was granted the divine gift of working miracles. He led a life of strict asceticism, fasting throughout the week and partaking only

Saint John, Bishop of the Goths, lived in the 8th century and was born in answer to his parents' prayers. From childhood, he led an ascetic life. He made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, spending three years at the holy sites before returning home. During the reign of the Iconoclast Emperor Constantin

Saint Nikon of Optina, born Nicholas Belyaev on September 26, 1888, was raised in a devout Moscow merchant family. As a child, he was blessed by Saint John of Kronstadt and grew deeply attached to the Church alongside his brother John. In 1907, the brothers were led by prayer to the Optina Monas

The Holy Martyr Agrippina was a native of Rome who chose a life of celibacy, devoting herself entirely to God. During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Valerian (253–259), she courageously presented herself before the authorities and openly professed her faith in Christ. For her bold c

For anyone that missed and wanted to see the Divine Liturgy of Matuska Olga of Kwethluk in Anchorage, AK, here is a YouTube link for your enjoinment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH7pQyw7I5Y&pp=ygVIUHJpbWF0aWFsIERpdmluZSBMaXR1cmd5IGZvciB0aGUgR2xvcmlmaWNhdGlvbiBvZiBTYWludCBPbGdhIG9mIEt3ZXRobH

Falsehood - and only falsehood - separates us from God ... False thoughts, false words, false feelings, false desires - Behold the aggregate of lies that leads us to non-being, illusion, and rejection of God.

The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi is the world’s largest Orthodox cathedral capable of holding 15,000 worshipers in one sitting. The eastern orthodox cathedral, based in Georgia, was completed and consecrated in 2004. The cathedral is one of the world’s largest religious buildings by area and

In his youth, Saint Leontius entered the Kiev Caves Monastery, where he received monastic tonsure. Gifted with a beautiful voice, he served as a canonarch (leader of church singing) after learning to read. He passed away at a young age in the 14th century. For his selfless life, the Lord glorifi

Saint Shalva of Akhaltsikhe was a distinguished Georgian military commander under Queen Tamar. After a victorious battle at Shamkori, he offered the captured caliph’s flag and spoils to the Khakhuli Icon, symbolizing Christian triumph. Queen Tamar rewarded him with the rank of commander-in-chief

In appreciation for Archpriest Alexander Garklavs and his 40 years of priesthood/ 2021 The Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life (OPL) announced that Archpriest Alexander Garklavs will deliver the keynote address at the June 2025 Synaxis Clergy online conference, scheduled for Tue

Tornike Eristavi, a renowned Georgian military commander and favorite of King David Kuropalates, eventually renounced worldly glory to pursue a spiritual life. Seeking his spiritual father, Saint John, he journeyed first to Mt. Olympus, then to Mt. Athos, where he joined a monastery led by Saint A