CHICAGO, IL [DOM] – On Saturday, June 14, the head of the Department of Liturgical Practice, Priest Esteban Vázquez, sent out an announcement regarding the upcoming canonization of Matushka Olga of Alaska.
The first services for the glorification of St Olga of Alaska will take place this coming week, and the faithful of the Orthodox Church in America have been encouraged to join in the celebration “with their prayers and by attending any local commemorations in their parishes.” To provide for this, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest has blessed the following services to be offered in parishes, missions, chapels, and institutions of the Diocese of the Midwest:
1) On the evening of Thursday, June 19: the last panikhida for Matushka Olga. In the Church’s received practice, the last act before the glorification of a saint is the celebration of a last panikhida prior to the Vigil. This highlights the humility and sobriety with which the Church approaches glorification, not daring to accord formal veneration prior to it. Our parishes are encouraged to offer the last panikhida for Matushka Olga in the early evening of Thursday, June 19, which due to our time zones will be several hours earlier than the services in Kwethluk. At this panikhida, no other names for the departed should be commemorated.
2) On Sunday, June 22, the Feast of All Saints of North America: the moleben to our holy and righteous mother Olga of Alaska at the end of the Divine Liturgy. A document is attached here with an abbreviated form of the moleben as it is sung after the Prayer Behind the Ambon and prior to the Dismissal. It utilizes the texts just released on the OCA website, where musical settings may also be found. (Note: The fuller form of the moleben, following the Dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, may also be used if so desired.)
Any questions or clarifications regarding these services should be addressed to Priest Esteban Vázquez at the Department of Liturgical Practice: liturgy@domoca.org. May we have the prayers of the soon-to-be glorified Matushka Olga as we seek to honor her holy memory!
