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On Monday, October 26, and Tuesday, October 27, 2026, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided at services for the feast of the newly glorified Righteous Mother Olga of Kwethluk, Wonderworker, Matushka of All Alaska, at St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Primatial Cathedral of the Orthodox Church in America, in Washington, DC.
On Monday evening, His Beatitude presided at the festal Vigil, followed on Tuesday morning by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Faithful from throughout the Archdiocese of Washington gathered for the solemn and joyful services honoring Saint Olga, who was glorified among the saints of the Orthodox Church in June 2025.
Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America and Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral; Archpriest David Bozeman, Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America and Associate Priest of the Cathedral; and Archpriest Valery Shemchuk, Associate Priest; and Deacon Igor Panyutin. Visiting clergy included Archpriest Christopher Foley, Priest James Bozeman, and Priest John Stiff.
The liturgical responses were sung by the Archdiocesan Choir under the direction of Mr. Kevin Basil Fritts, contributing to the prayerful and beautiful celebration of the feast.
Throughout the services, a portion of the holy relics of Saint Olga was placed in the center of the Cathedral for the veneration of the clergy and faithful.
In his reflections, His Beatitude reminded the faithful of the extraordinary witness of Saint Olga, whose holiness was manifested not through public prominence or extraordinary accomplishments in the eyes of the world, but through a life of humility, quiet service, and self-giving love. As a wife, mother, and matushka in the Alaskan village of Kwethluk, she faithfully cared for her family and extended compassion and assistance to those who suffered, particularly women, mothers, and those experiencing hardship and grief.
His Beatitude emphasized that the example of Saint Olga reminds us that the path to holiness is open to every Christian, and that even the simplest and most ordinary circumstances of life can become occasions for encountering Christ and manifesting His love. Through her steadfast faith and tireless care for others, Saint Olga revealed the beauty of a life transformed by the grace of God.
Holy Righteous Mother Olga of Alaska, pray to God for us!
