St. Nicholas Parish of Kwethluk

For the Orthodox faithful, the canonization of a saint is a rare and profoundly spiritual event that offers a unique opportunity to witness the Church’s recognition of a life transfigured by God’s grace. Visiting Kwethluk allows pilgrims not only to honor Blessed Matushka Olga, a mother and intercessor for families and those in need, but also to experience the rich spiritual heritage of Alaska’s Orthodox community. By journeying to this holy occasion, pilgrims partake in a living testimony to God’s work through His saints and bring back blessings to their own spiritual lives and communities.

Matushka Olga’s liturgical glorification will take place at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Kwethluk, AK, with the Vigil and Glorification taking place on the evening of Thursday, June 19, 2025. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in Kwethluk on Friday, June 20, 2025.

Canonization Itinerary

The Holy Synod has decided that Matushka Olga’s liturgical glorification will take place at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Kwethluk, AK, with the Vigil and Glorification taking place on the evening of Thursday, June 19, 2025. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in Kwethluk on Friday, June 20, 2025. To arrive in time for these events we recommend flying in on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

How to Get to Kwethluk

Travel Timeline: Plan to arrive in Bethel, Alaska, on June 18th, 2025, to ensure adequate time for transportation to Kwethluk.

Step 1: Flights to Bethel (BET)

• Alaska Airlines operates three flights daily from Anchorage (ANC) to Bethel (BET). Book early to secure your ticket.

Step 2: Travel from Bethel to Kwethluk

Option 1: Boat Transport

• Upon arriving at Bethel’s small airport, volunteers will provide boat transportation to Kwethluk.
• Note: Gasoline is $9 per gallon in Kwethluk. Please consider bringing cash to help cover fuel expenses for your volunteer boat captain.

Option 2: Charter Flights to Kwethluk

• Several small local airlines operate flights from Bethel to Kwethluk. These flights are often in high demand, so booking in advance is highly recommended.

Small Airlines:

1. Fox Air
   • Website: foxairalaska.com
   • Phone: (907) 545-5771
2. Yute Air (Note: Prone to delays and wait times)
   • Website: yutebethel.com
   • Phone: (907) 543-2684
3. Grant Air
   • Website: flygrant.com
   • Phone: (888) 359-4726

Charter Information:

Charters typically cost around $500 each way and accommodate up to six passengers. To ensure availability, contact the airline directly to reserve a charter flight.

How to Get to Kwethluk

Travel Timeline: Plan to arrive in Bethel, Alaska, on June 18th, 2025, to ensure adequate time for transportation to Kwethluk.

Step 1: Flights to Bethel (BET)

• Alaska Airlines operates three flights daily from Anchorage (ANC) to Bethel (BET). Book early to secure your ticket.

Step 2: Travel from Bethel to Kwethluk

Option 1: Boat Transport

• Upon arriving at Bethel’s small airport, volunteers will provide boat transportation to Kwethluk.
• Note: Gasoline is $9 per gallon in Kwethluk. Please consider bringing cash to help cover fuel expenses for your volunteer boat captain.

Option 2: Charter Flights to Kwethluk

• Several small local airlines operate flights from Bethel to Kwethluk. These flights are often in high demand, so booking in advance is highly recommended.

Small Airlines:

1. Fox Air
   • Website: foxairalaska.com
   • Phone: (907) 545-5771
2. Yute Air (Note: Prone to delays and wait times)
   • Website: yutebethel.com
   • Phone: (907) 543-2684
3. Grant Air
   • Website: flygrant.com
   • Phone: (888) 359-4726

Charter Information:

Charters typically cost around $500 each way and accommodate up to six passengers. To ensure availability, contact the airline directly to reserve a charter flight.

What to Expect in Kwethluk

Lodging:

• Accommodations will be available at the local school, which will be opened for pilgrims.
• The school provides bathrooms and an operational kitchen for meal preparation.
• Bring a sleeping bag and mat for comfortable lodging.

Food:

• Some meals will be provided, primarily featuring local salmon if it is available and in season.
• It is advised to bring your preferred snacks and any food items if you are not accustomed to fish or prefer a more varied diet.

Store:

• Kwethluk has a small general store with limited supplies, including basic food, beverages, and necessities. Stock may be limited, so plan accordingly.

Environment:

The area is known for its insects during the summer months. Bringing insect repellent and protective clothing is highly recommended.

Conditions are rustic, and visitors should prepare for outdoor elements.

What to Expect in Kwethluk

Lodging:

• Accommodations will be available at the local school, which will be opened for pilgrims.
• The school provides bathrooms and an operational kitchen for meal preparation.
• Bring a sleeping bag and mat for comfortable lodging.

Food:

• Some meals will be provided, primarily featuring local salmon if it is available and in season.
• It is advised to bring your preferred snacks and any food items if you are not accustomed to fish or prefer a more varied diet.

Store:

• Kwethluk has a small general store with limited supplies, including basic food, beverages, and necessities. Stock may be limited, so plan accordingly.

Environment:

The area is known for its insects during the summer months. Bringing insect repellent and protective clothing is highly recommended.

Conditions are rustic, and visitors should prepare for outdoor elements.

What to Pack

Submit your prayer requests or the names of your loved ones to be remembered in prayer. These names will be carefully placed upon the casket of Matushka Olga, where they will be blessed prayerfully and lifted before God.

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“God can create great beauty from complete desolation and nothingness.”

-Matushka Olga

This comprehensive biography recounts the early years, marriage, and family life of Blessed Matushka Olga, as well as her God-given gift of healing, profound humility, and holiness. It also describes how God’s grace has worked through her, with miracles witnessed by the faithful. The plans for her canonization in June 2025 are also outlined.

Early Years

Blessed Olga Michael was born in the year 1916 in the humble village of Kwethluk, nestled on the Kuskokwim River in southwestern Alaska. Born into the deeply rooted traditions of the Yup’ik culture and illumined by the light of the Orthodox Faith, she grew in the virtues of perseverance, humility, and love for others. From her earliest years, she exemplified the meekness and simplicity that would characterize her entire life.

Marriage and Family Life

In her youth, Saintly Matushka Olga entered into holy matrimony with Nikolai Michael, who would later be ordained as an Orthodox priest to shepherd the faithful in Kwethluk. As the matushka of the parish, she became a true mother not only to their thirteen children but also to the entire community. Her home, though simple, radiated the warmth of Christ’s love, becoming a haven for all who entered.

Despite the hardships of raising a large family in the remote and often harsh Alaskan wilderness, she bore all things with patience and unwavering faith. Her life was a living testament to the sanctity of the family as a little church, where Christ is ever-present.

Her God Given Gift of Healing

Blessed Matushka Olga’s life was marked by tireless service to those around her. As a midwife, she brought countless children safely into the world, tenderly caring for both mothers and infants. Yet her ministry extended far beyond physical healing. Her compassion embraced the broken-hearted and the downtrodden, particularly women who bore the scars of abuse and trauma.

With the wisdom granted by God and the tenderness of a true mother, she became a source of consolation and healing for many. Her prayers and loving counsel brought peace and hope to countless souls, reflecting the mercy of the Theotokos, whose intercessions she frequently invoked.

A Life of Humility and Holiness

The holiness of Matushka Olga was manifest in her quiet humility and steadfast devotion. She sought no recognition but lived in obedience to the will of God, serving all who came to her with selfless love. Her faithfulness to Orthodox traditions and her enduring trust in God made her life a living icon of His grace.

On November 8, 1979, this righteous servant of God reposed in peace, her earthly labors complete. The fragrance of her holy life has continued to draw countless souls closer to Christ. Many have experienced her intercessions, particularly in times of difficulty related to childbirth, healing, and family struggles.

God’s Grace Working Through Her

Since her repose, numerous examples of God’s grace working through her have been attributed to the prayers of Blessed Matushka Olga. Women who have suffered from deep emotional wounds and trauma have found healing and peace through her heavenly intercessions. They testify to the motherly care she continues to extend from the Kingdom of Heaven.

One particularly notable miracle recounts a woman facing grave complications in childbirth. Turning to Saintly Matushka Olga in fervent prayer, she experienced an unexpectedly safe delivery, praising God for His mercy and for Matushka’s intercessions.

Pilgrims who visit her grave in Kwethluk often speak of an ineffable peace that pervades the place. Many have reported healings of physical ailments and spiritual renewal after venerating her relics or seeking her prayers, affirming her intercessory power before the throne of God.

Canonization

The growing veneration of Matushka Olga among the faithful led to the exhumation of her relics in Kwethluk, a sacred event attended by clergy and laity. The uncovering of her relics bore witness to her sanctity and confirmed the grace-filled life she had led.

In June of 2025, the Church will formally glorify Matushka Olga as a saint, enrolling her among the righteous. This joyous occasion will not only honor her holy life but also strengthen the faith of the Orthodox Christian faithful, reminding us of the transformative power of God’s grace.

Blessed Matushka Olga of Kwethluk stands as a luminous example of Christian piety, love, and humility. Her life calls us to seek Christ in the ordinary and to serve others with selfless love. May her prayers strengthen us in our earthly pilgrimage, and may her memory be eternal! Holy Matushka Olga, pray unto God for us!