Met. Tikhon Presides at First Feast of St. Olga of Alaska in Nation's Capital
Inaugural celebration marks culmination of St. Olga’s canonization and calls faithful to renewed spiritual vision.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Oct. 27, 2025, His Beatitude Met. Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) made an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C., to preside at the inaugural Feast Day of the newly canonized St. Olga of Kwethluk — Tanqilria Arrsamquq — the Wonderworker, Matushka of All Alaska.
As reported by the OCA, the celebration crowned a year of events marking the canonization of St. Olga, whose commemoration was observed across the OCA at the call of the Holy Synod. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Priest David Bozeman, Secretary of the OCA, along with clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese of Washington.
In his homily, Met. Tikhon reflected on the living presence of God through His saints, who remind us that God is living and active in His saints and in our lives.
“He is always at work through His saints—both those departed this life and those who still remain, often hidden, in our midst — guiding us toward salvation and leading us toward Himself.”
Recalling the teaching of St. Paisios the Athonite, His Beatitude added, “If our eyes were fully open, then we would perceive our whole life and the whole world as a miracle of God.”
Relics of St. Olga were at the service for veneration by the faithful. Photo: OCA
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Met. Tikhon greeted the faithful and reflected on the canonization event in Kwethluk, recalling the difficult journey, the appearance of flocks of birds, and the life-giving symbolism of water in Alaskan Orthodox life. The celebration concluded with a festive meal shared with the clergy and parish community.
Met. Tikhon's full homily can be read here.
Previously, UOJ reported that Met. Tikhon offered a reflection for the Saturday of St. Demetrius and commemoration of the departed.
