The Life of St. Olga of Alaska

10 snips

Oct 7, 2025

Discover the inspiring life of St. Olga of Alaska, a devoted matushka and mother of 13 who embodied service and hospitality. Her humble acts of kindness, from midwifery to teaching, paved the way for her eventual sainthood. Illness did not deter her spirit, and miraculous signs accompanied her peaceful passing. With a growing legacy, she is now a powerful intercessor for mothers and those in need. Hear heartwarming testimonies of healing and redemption through her prayers, exemplifying everyday holiness for all.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Rooted In Land And Faith

Arsamkuk (Olga) grew up shaped by both Yupik life and Orthodox faith in Kweithluk.
That blend made her humility and service a natural expression of spiritual formation.

ANECDOTE

Matushka, Mother Of Thirteen

Olga married Nikolai Michael and became Matushka, raising 13 children while serving the parish.
Her home opened constantly to neighbors, and she practiced hospitality as everyday devotion.

INSIGHT

The Ideal Of 'Ela Tankilria'

The Yupik ideal Ela Tankilria praises quiet service, listening, and communal harmony.
Olga embodied that ethic, teaching by example rather than speech.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

A reading of the Life of St. Olga of Alaska, published by the Orthodox Church in America who glorified her as a saint in June 2025. St. Olga's life is very accessible to us who live in the world. She was a matushka and a mother of 13 children, always offering hospitality and whatever she could to those in need. Her quiet and sacrificial labors did not end when she reposed; many have found divine help when calling upon her for heavenly assistance. She is a great intercessor especially for midwives, pregnant women, couples hoping to conceive a child, abused women, and others suffering on earth. As St. Olga said in an appearance to a victim of sexual abuse, "God can create great beauty from complete desolation and nothingness."📖 The Life of St. Olga, published by the Orthodox Church in Americahttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/10/27/100561-righteous-mother-olga-of-kwethluktanqilria-arrsamquqwonderworker🎥 Uncovering of Saint Olga (Arrsamquq) of Alaska's holy relicshttps://youtu.be/2YwqgN0_VO0?si=W0c3aQS71jk2a3HN🎥 Glorification Liturgy of St. Olga in Kwethlukhttps://www.youtube.com/live/k0IJxQxOqyY?si=cM8wvwEroTMvB2j3📖 Akathist Hymn to St. Olga of Alaskahttps://arizonaorthodox.com/saints-north-america/matushka-olga-michael-kwethluk/akathist-matushka-olga-michael/🎧 Another version of her life, including a detailed miracle:https://youtu.be/2qSF1wCh95k⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______Troparion:God has chosen a humble mother from Alaska to be an example for all the servants of God; he has given us Saint Olga as a helper in afflictions and as a guide to leading a life of sacrificial love. Therefore we entreat thee, O holy mother Olga: pray that we, thy sinful children, may be saved and rejoice with thee in the Kingdom of Heaven.Kontakion:Guided by the heavenly light and touched by Christ’s rich mercy, thy loving hands heal the wounds of those hurt in the past. Thy soft voice encourages all to remain faithful to God, for the eternal Lord will give the steadfast a crown of life. O holy mother Olga, visit us with love and reassure us, that we may accept whatever cross we must bear as chosen by the merciful God and that, through thy prayers, we do the will of God for the salvation of our souls._______Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!