Springfield, Virginia, March 20, 2025

Photo: oca.org

His Grace Bishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America has been formally elevated to the status of Archbishop.

The Orthodox Church in America reports:

The Holy Synod meeting today under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, unanimously decided to elevate His Grace Bishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska to the dignity of archbishop.

May God grant His Eminence Archbishop Alexei many years!

His Eminence Archbishop Alexei is a former monk of St. Tikhon’s Monastery in Pennsylvania and of Karakallou Monastery on Mt. Athos. After decades of laboring in monasticism, he was called back to serve in the OCA in 2019. He was consecrated as the Bishop of Bethesda, auxiliary to Met. Tikhon, in OCA consecrates Athonite schemamonk as Bishop of BethesdaThe Orthodox Church in America gained a new hierarch on Saturday, January 25, as Archimandrite Alexis (Trader) was consecrated as Bishop of Bethesda, auxiliary to the primate His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

“>January 2020, appointed as Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Alaska in November 2020, and enthroned as the ruling bishop of Alaska in OCA enthrones Bishop of AlaskaBp. Alexis had been administering the diocese as its Locum Tenens since the repose of his predecessor Archbishop David in November 2020.”>April 2022.

Abp. Alexei has worked tirelessly to preach the Gospel and build up the Diocese of Alaska. A diocesan OCA Diocese of Alaska: Our mission is to convert the entire stateThe diocese launched a new YouTube channel in July, beginning with a series of explanations of the Nicene Creed by Bp. Alexis.

“>mission statement was crafted under him, proclaiming the goal of converting the entire state. He has raised awareness about the diocese’s need for strong clergy and funds to support them, and he secured the St. Innocent of Alaska’s Gospel returned to rightful home in Alaska cathedral after decadesThe large, silver Gospel, printed in Russia under Emperor Paul I (1796-1801), was removed from the cathedral at some point in the last 60 years and eventually wound up in a Church museum in Pennsylvania.”>return of St. Innocent of Alaska’s 18th-century Gospel to the cathedral in Sitka.

And it was under Abp. Alexei that St. Olga of Alaska was OCA Synod glorifies Matushka Olga of Alaska among the saintsMatushka Olga (†1979) has long been venerated in Alaska, throughout America, and abroad. She is remembered as a humble mother, midwife, and priest’s wife who was filled with love for everybody, and especially abused women.

“>canonized and her Relics of St. Olga of Alaska solemnly uncovered (+VIDEO)Today is a historic day for the Yup’ik nation, the Alaskan people and every Orthodox Christian throughout the world.”>relics were uncovered. Preparations are currently underway for the celebration of her canonization in June.