After nearly 140 years of service in Alaska, the last two Jesuit priests have left the state. The Jesuits are an order within the Catholic Church, and are sometimes referred to as “God’s Marines” for their role in establishing and growing the church in the world’s most remote regions.
The last two Jesuits preached in several communities across the Yukon-Kuskokwim region. Their contributions were recognized at an event in mid-June. It was attended by senior figures in the church, including Bishop of the Diocese of Fairbanks, Steven Maekawa, and Provincial of the Jesuits West Province, Sean Carroll.
Before the afternoon celebration, the group boarded two boats and motored up the Kuskokwim River to Kwethluk to pay their respects to St. Olga, the first Yup’ik person to be canonized as an Eastern Orthodox saint.
The following photo essay is a selection of moments from the visit.
Listen to an excerpt of Fr. Steven Epchook's prayer:
