At a meeting in Chicago, the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) decided on the imminent canonization of Righteous Olga O'Michael († 1979).
This righteous woman has been revered by Orthodox Christians in Alaska, throughout America and in other parts of the Orthodox world for several decades. She is remembered as a modest and selfless priest's wife and mother of many children, who was filled with love for everyone, especially abused women, and helped women in labor. There are many cases of the gracious help of righteous Olga, who responds to the prayers of those who ask for her intercession.
Righteous Olga O'Michael will become the first canonized Orthodox woman saint in North America. Her memory will be celebrated annually on October 28 / November 10, as well as on the second Sunday after Pentecost, when the Council of All Saints who have shone in the land of America is celebrated.
Righteous Olga in blue. On her left hand stands her priest husband
Righteous Olga O'Michael:
biographical information
The future wife of the priest, Olga O'Michael, whom fellow villagers called Olenka, was from the Yupik Eskimo people in Alaska. Born in the village of Kvetluk on February 3, 1916. Her name in the Yupik language sounds like Arsamkuk, and she received the name Olga in Holy Baptism. She was baptized as an infant.
When Olga grew up, she married Nicholas O'Michael (1912–1984), also from the village of Kvetluk, a skilled hunter and entrepreneur. The churching of the future father Nikolai took place through the efforts and prayers of his pious wife Olga.
Later, he would take the priesthood and until the end of his days he would serve in the St. Nicholas Church of his native village, also spiritually caring for 12 surrounding villages, including the city of Napaskiak.
The couple lived together in a small three-room log house their entire life together. God gave them 13 children, 8 of whom lived to adulthood. Archpriest Nikolai, the first Orthodox priest from the village of Kvetluk, was a zealous and caring shepherd who won the love of his fellow villagers. At the request of residents of other villages, he often came to them to baptize, marry, perform funeral services for the dead, and perform other sacraments and services. All these settlements are located quite far from each other. Movement between them in summer is carried out by boats along the rivers, and in winter by snowmobiles.
Nikolai and Olga O'Michael
Olga raised eight children who lived to adulthood. The children recalled that she never raised her voice at them. Since Father Nikolai devoted most of his time to the flock entrusted to him, Olga was always busy - not only with household chores, but also with caring for her fellow villagers. She often came to the houses of other village residents, cleaned their houses and prepared food for them. When her children reached the age of 7–8 years, she made them her assistants.
Olga sewed vestments for her husband, made outerwear, boots and mittens for her children, and also constantly sewed and knitted clothes for others. Parishes hundreds of kilometers from Kvetluk received gifts from her - traditional Eskimo boots. All the clergy of the diocese wore gloves and woolen socks which Olga knitted for them.
Week after week she baked prosphora bread that was used in the village liturgy. She memorized all the services of the twelve feasts, and knew perfectly well the hymns of Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter (Pascha) in the Yupik language.
Righteous Olga became famous for her compassion for everyone and her care for women who were subjected to various types of violence, especially sexual violence. For many years she helped women in Kvetluk and surrounding villages during childbirth. Although her family was poor, she generously gave away things to those who were even poorer. She often gave away her children's clothes to those in need and told the children not to tell anyone about it.
Olga O'Michael
Archbishop Gregory of Sitka and Alaska once said that Olga was humble: when some other priest stopped at the parish, he might not even realize that she was there.
Righteous Olga gave the world her simple life, filled with caring for people, kindness, and prayer. Her way of life was similar to that of the early Church.
Several years before her death, Olga began to weaken and feel unwell, but did not want to bother any of her relatives. Having learned that she had the last stage of cancer, the righteous woman accepted the news with humility. Olga’s two daughters went to Kodiak, where they offered prayers to St. Herman of Alaska - and their mother’s health returned to normal for another year. Shortly before her transition into eternity, Archbishop Gregory awarded the righteous woman the highest distinction awarded to the laity of the diocese - the cross of St. Herman.
On the day of her repose, November 8, 1979, the priest brought her the Holy Gifts. The righteous woman sat up in bed, crossed her arms over her chest and took communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Then she crossed herself, lay down and surrendered her spirit into the hands of God. She was buried in the Kvetluka parish cemetery.
STATEMENT
of the Holy Synod of Bishops
of the Orthodox Church in America
in connection with the glorification
of Righteous Mother Olga
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
To the clergy, monastics and all the faithful children of the Orthodox Church in America, beloved in the Lord
God is marvelous in His Saints!
November 8, 2023, Chicago, Illinois
Righteous Olga O'Michael
The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America heard the petition of His Grace Alexy, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska, contained in a letter to His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon dated November 2, 2023, regarding the glorification of Righteous Olga.
In this letter, His Eminence Bishop Alexy states:
“I appeal to Your Beatitude regarding the ever-memorable servant of God, faithful Orthodox Christian, and priest's wife, Olga O'Michael from the village of Kvetluk. Her humility, kindness, godliness, patience, and selfless love for God and others were well known in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region during her earthly life. Her concern for those suffering and mourning was evident even after her blessed death, as evidenced by believers not only in Alaska, but throughout the entire North American continent. Native Alaskans are convinced of the holiness of Mother Olga and the great power of her prayers. Therefore, after prayerful reflection, I, Bishop Alexy of Sitka and Alaska, make an urgent request to Your Beatitude, as the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, to begin the process of canonization of this ascetic of piety, if this is the will of God.”
The Holy Synod of the OCA considered this petition, and taking into account the deep veneration of Righteous Olga by believers in Alaska and beyond, unanimously decided that the time had indeed come for the glorification of this righteous woman, which would fulfill the aspirations and prayers of pious Orthodox Christians throughout Alaska and the entire Orthodox world.
Therefore, having gathered for a Solemn meeting at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, we, members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America, make an official decision to canonize the ever-memorable servant of God Mother Olga. We unanimously decide to consider her honorable remains as holy relics; We bless you to celebrate the day of her memory on November 10 (October 28, old style) and on the second Sunday after Pentecost, all saints who have shone in the land of America; paint a newly glorified holy icon for veneration, in accordance with the canons of the Holy Ecumenical and Regional Councils; compile and publish her life for the edification of believers; report the name of the newly glorified saint to the Primates of the fraternal Local Churches for inclusion in their calendars; and promptly inform the clergy, monastics and laity of the Orthodox Church in America about the day and place where the rite of canonization will be performed.
Further, we entrust to the Commission for the Canonization of Saints of the Orthodox Church in America, chaired by His Eminence Daniel, Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest, the honorable task of assisting His Eminence Alexy, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska, in preparing for the celebrations of the glorification of Righteous Olga - to provide an officially approved life of the ascetic for the edification of believers; control the process of painting her holy icons in accordance with the canons and traditions of iconography; compose the text of a special service to the saint; provide assistance in the acquisition and identification of her holy relics; and also to spread her veneration among all the clergy, monastics and believers of our Church.
We urge believers to remember Righteous Olga at memorial services for the departed before the time of her official glorification.
Through the prayers of Righteous Olga and all the saints who have shone in North America, may the Lord show His mercy and bless all who with faith and love ask for her Heavenly intercession. Amen.
Holy Mother Olga, pray to God for us!
Holy Trinity Cathedral,
November 8, 2023.
Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America
† Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada
† Nathanael, Archbishop of Detroit and Romanian Diocese
† Benjamin, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America
† Mark, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania
† Alexius, Archbishop of Mexico City and Mexico Exarchate
† Melchizedek, Archbishop of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
† Irenaeus, Archbishop of Ottawa and Canada
† Michael, Archbishop of New York and New Jersey
† Alexander, Archbishop of Dallas, the South and Bulgaria
† Daniel, Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest
† Alexy, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska
† Nicodemus , Bishop of Boston and Albanian Archdiocese
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