His Grace Alexei of Sitka and All Alaska Elavated to the Dignity of Archbishop
Springfield, VA—The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) released its decision at its meeting on March 19, 2025
Presided over my His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), Primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), the Holy Synod voted unanimously to elevate His Grace Alexei of Sitka to the rank of Archbishop.
Archbishop Alexei is widely revered across America for his tireless work ethic, his meek and compassionate disposition, and his zeal for the Orthodox Faith.
His Eminence Archbishop Alexei began his monastic journey at St. Tikhon’s Monastery in Pennsylvania before continuing at Karakallou Monastery on Mt. Athos. It was here that he was elevated to the priesthood, laboring tirelessly to fully appropriate the life and spirituality of Athos. During his time on the Holy Mountain, he completed his doctoral dissertation in Greek at the University of Thessaloniki.
But the future Archbishop's true struggle, and indeed his accomplishments, were of a pastoral nature. He worked tirelessly in building up the parish growing around the monastery, where many flocked to seek his wise counsel through the mystery of confession.
After decades of devoted service in monasticism, he was called back to the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) in 2019. He was consecrated as Bishop of Bethesda, auxiliary to Metropolitan Tikhon, in January 2020, appointed Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Alaska in November 2020, and enthroned as its ruling bishop in April 2022.
Since his enthronement, Archbishop Alexei has labored diligently to spread the Gospel and strengthen the Diocese of Alaska. He has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the diocese’s pressing need for strong clergy and financial support, and he successfully oversaw the return of St. Innocent of Alaska’s 18th-century Gospel to the cathedral in Sitka.
What is so good or so joyous as for brethren to dwell together in unity?
Vladyka Alexei has likewise been a pillar of Orthodox unity in America, particularly between the Churches whose roots lie in the Russian Diaspora. In 2022, Bishop Alexei made a pilgrimage to ROCOR's Holy Trinity Monastery, in Jordanville, serving with Bishop Luke of Syracuse. In 2024, Vladyka Luke was invited to speak at the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska's annual clergy retreat, the two bishops going on pilgrimage to Kodiak Island and St. Herman's Monk's Lagoon.
We pray that this blossoming spiritual kinship continues to grow, knowing how good it is for brothers to dwell in unity (Ps. 132)
A major milestone of his tenure has been the canonization of St. Olga of Alaska and the uncovering of her relics. Plans are currently underway for the official celebration of her glorification in June.
Axios! Axios! Axios! May God grant His Eminence Archbishop Alexei Many Years!
