Olga of Alaska

Description

Olga (Arrsamquq) Michael (February 3, 1916 – November 8, 1979), known as Saint Olga (Arrsamquq) of Alaska, Saint Olga of Kwethluk, or Matushka Olga, was an Eastern Orthodox priest’s wife from Kwethluk village, on the Kuskokwim River in Alaska. In 2023, she became the first North American woman, and the first Yup’ik person, to be canonized as an Orthodox saint.

Life
Matushka Olga, known among the locals as Olinka, was a Native Alaskan of Yup’ik origin.[4] Her husband was the village postmaster and manager of the general store, and later archpriest, Father Nikolai Michael. Serving her community not only as a priest’s wife, but also as a midwife, Matushka Olga gave birth to and raised several children, many of whom she gave birth to without the aid of a midwife of her own.

Matushka Olga was known for her empathy and caring for those who had suffered abuse of all kinds, especially sexual abuse. While her family was poor, she was generous to those who were poorer, often giving away her children’s clothes to the needy. She was also known for her ability to tell when a woman was pregnant, even before the woman herself had missed her period.