Olga, a member of the Yup’ik people from Alaska, was recognized as the first North American Orthodox woman saint. Born in 1916, Olga was a wife, mother of 13, and midwife known for her compassion and generosity within her community. She was known for helping those in need, including those suffering from trauma, the elderly, and the sick. The Orthodox Church in America, which has roots in the Russian Orthodox Church, conducted a liturgical glorification ceremony in her home village. The canonization process in the Orthodox Church often begins with grassroots devotion, culminating in a formal declaration of sainthood.
5 months ago
The Orthodox Church in America has officially recognized "Matushka Olga" (born Arrsamquq in 1916) as its first North American Orthodox woman saint and the first Native American saint 1. The liturgical glorification ceremony took place in her home village of Kwethluk, Alaska 1.
Born a member of the Yup’ik people in the Alaskan tundra, Olga lived a life of subsistence, reportedly cleaning and preserving fish and herding reindeer as a child 1. She married an Orthodox priest and became known as "Matushka," a Russian honorific for a spiritual mother 1. Olga was a mother to 13 children, with eight living to adulthood, and also served as a midwife, assisting in many births 1. She was celebrated for her profound compassion, generosity, and simplicity, consistently offering help to those in need, including women suffering from trauma and abuse, the elderly, and the sick 1.
Archbishop Alexei Trader, in his canonization homily, lauded Olga's "quiet holiness," emphasizing that her compassion became her crown and her humble prayer her strength 1. It is believed that Olga possessed a spiritual gift, intuitively knowing when her help was required without being explicitly asked 1. Following her death, people have reported receiving similar prayerful assistance from Olga, particularly in seeking healing 1. Her life is presented as a testament that holiness is attainable and that God is near, even amid sorrow and silence 1.
The Orthodox Church in America, originating from the Russian Orthodox Church, has its own process for canonization, known as glorification, which is less structured than the Roman Catholic process 1. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox canonization does not require miracles or intermediary stages like Servant of God, Venerable, or Blessed 1. The Roman Catholic Church maintains a nuanced relationship with Orthodox saints; while it does not canonize them post-Great Schism (1054), it may recognize their holiness, especially in cases of martyrdom 1. A notable instance occurred in 2023 when Pope Francis included 21 Christian martyrs, including 20 Coptic Orthodox individuals killed in Libya in 2015, in the Roman Martyrology, marking the first time since the 5th century that both Churches recognized common saints 1. Saint Pope John Paul II's encyclical Ut Unum Sint highlights the communion of saints from various churches as a sign of unity, acknowledging that these saints come from all Christian communities 1. Although the Roman Catholic Church does not formally recognize Mother Olga as a saint, the faithful are encouraged to acknowledge her witness of holiness 1.
How does the Church define sanctity and holiness?
The Church defines sanctity and holiness in relation to God, individual persons, and the Church as a corporate body . Holiness is understood as a close union with God and the moral perfection that results from this union .
As applied to God, sanctity denotes His absolute moral perfection, which is inherent in His nature . God alone is proclaimed as "alone holy" .
For individuals, sanctity signifies a participation in God's holiness, which is a divine gift . It is not a perfection grounded in human nature but is achieved through active participation in God's holiness . Christians are called to holiness through baptism, becoming truly children of God and sharers in the divine nature . This holiness, received from God, must be maintained and perfected in their lives .
The pursuit of holiness involves:
Saints are individuals who have faithfully followed Christ, giving outstanding testimony to the Kingdom of heaven through martyrdom or heroic practice of virtues . They are seen as lights that illuminate the Church and a prophecy for the world .
The Church claims to be holy in a transcendent degree, considering it one of the four "notes" (unity, catholicity, apostolicity, and sanctity) that distinguish her as the society founded by Christ . This attribute belongs to the Church due to her relationship with Christ's Person and work .
The Church is holy because:
The Church's work of sanctification is most successful when she can present the lives of saints as examples for the faithful . Saints have always been a source of renewal in the Church's history .