St. Olga of Kwethluk Canonized as First Female Orthodox Saint from North America
- Victor Nwoko
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
Kwethluk, Alaska — In a historic and deeply spiritual event, the Orthodox Church in America has canonized “St. Olga of Kwethluk, Matushka of All Alaska,” the first female Orthodox Christian saint from North America. The canonization ceremony, held on June 19 in her native village of Kwethluk, marked the culmination of decades of growing grassroots devotion to the late Yup’ik midwife, mother, and spiritual counselor.
Born in 1916 as Arrsamquq, Olga Michael spent her entire life in the remote southwestern Alaska village, where she lived among her Yup’ik family and neighbors. Known simply as Matushka Olga — a term of respect for the wife of an Orthodox priest — she married Fr. Nicolai Michael and raised 13 children, five of whom died in childhood. Olga became known across Alaska for her quiet generosity, deep faith, and compassionate care, especially toward women who had suffered abuse, miscarriage, or grief.
A skilled midwife, Olga delivered numerous children in her community, often providing food and handmade clothing for those in need. Her daughter and grandchildren recall her gentle nature and profound patience. “This is not just my mom anymore,” said her daughter Helen Larson. “St. Olga is everybody’s helper.”
Following her death from cancer in 1979, Matushka Olga's memory endured — not just through stories, but through dreams and visions reported by Orthodox faithful from across the U.S. and abroad. She became revered for her healing presence and spiritual intercession, especially among women coping with trauma. Her image is often depicted in icons framed by the northern lights, accompanied by the phrase, “God can create great beauty from complete desolation.”
The Orthodox Church in America approved her glorification in 2023. On June 19, hundreds of clergy, pilgrims, and local residents participated in the elaborate canonization service in Kwethluk. Bells rang, incense filled the air, and hymns in Yup’ik honored her memory. Worshippers gathered inside St. Nicholas Orthodox Church — with its golden onion domes rising above the one-story homes — and along the Kuskokwim River, greeting bishops who arrived by boat from Bethel.
Metropolitan Tikhon, head of the Orthodox Church in America, emphasized the significance of canonizing a Native Alaskan laywoman and mother. “The same path of holiness is available to all — male or female, young or old, rich or poor,” he said.
St. Olga joins a distinguished group of Alaskan saints, including St. Peter the Aleut and St. Yakov Netsvetov. Her recognition highlights the strong Orthodox Christian presence in Alaska, where the faith took root with the arrival of Russian missionaries in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, most Orthodox priests in the state are Alaska Natives, serving nearly 80 parishes.
In recent years, village leaders and church officials debated relocating Olga’s remains to Anchorage to increase access for pilgrims. However, the decision was made to keep her relics in Kwethluk, which despite its remote location — accessible only by boat or small plane — will now serve as a pilgrimage destination. Plans are underway to build a new church, hospitality center, and cultural site in her honor.
Pilgrims already began arriving during the glorification weekend, welcomed into local homes and schools. Meals of traditional Alaska Native foods like smoked fish and walrus meat were shared in communal hospitality.
Nicholai Joekay of Bethel, who was named after St. Olga’s late husband, said the glorification marked a profound moment for the Yup’ik community. “Today, we sang hymns of a pious Yup’ik woman who lived a life we can relate to with words that only we can pronounce properly,” he reflected. “Today, God was closer to all of us.”
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