The Archbishop of America in the remote Parish of Alaskatranslated

On the evening of Friday, September 18, more than 100 faithful gathered at the Holy Orthodox Church of the Holy Transfiguration in Anchorage, Alaska for Great Vespers, which began the consecration ceremony in the northernmost parish of the Archdiocese. The presence of the Most Reverend Archbishop of America Elpidophoros marks the first archdiocesan visit to the community after almost half a century. The service was presided over by the Archbishop of America Mr. Elpidophoros. Present were the Most Reverend Metropolitan Gerasimos of St. Francis, the Most Reverend Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzus, the Most Reverend Bishop Phokaias Ioannis, the vicar of the Holy Transfiguration, Father Basil Hillhouse, Father Edward Hillhouse (Father of Father Basil), Father Luke Kontgas (former priest of Holy Transfiguration), Fr. Seraphim Majmudar, Fr. Matthew Howell and Fr. Alexis Clodfelter. Dimitris Katsiklis, Chief Cantor in the Greek Orthodox Church and the National Pilgrimage of Agios Nikolaos, served as cantor.

On September 18, 2026, the Most Reverend Archbishop of America Elpidophoros celebrated Vespers at the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in Anchorage, Alaska. Present…