NEW SERIES: Orthodox Alaska
NEW SERIES: Orthodox Alaska
The evolution of traditional faith in America's northernmost state
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
Welcome to the third day of our new five-part series on the growth of Orthodox Christianity in Alaska. According to Pew Research in 2014, only 1% of Americans identify as Orthodox — but 5% of Alaskans do. Where other Orthodox churches around the country are seeing decline, communities in Alaska are becoming more vibrant.
In today’s story, contributor Jovan Tripkovic visits St. Herman’s seminary, located on a remote island in Alaska. St. Herman and eight other monks arrived on the island in 1794, positioning the state as a unique “Orthodox country.” St. Herman is also one of five Orthodox saints to hail from Alaska.
The seminary has experienced highs and lows since its founding in 1972, but now has reached a place of stability and even steady growth. Don’t miss this fascinating story about the school’s history and its future.
Check out the previous two parts of the story if you missed them:
Orthodox Alaska Part 1: Once An Evangelical Church, This Alaska Parish Has Become An Orthodox Hub
Orthodox Alaska Part 2: The Beatles, Bees And Orthodoxy Animated In One Man's Life
Visit our homepage this Thursday and Friday for the final two parts of the story.
See you next week! If you like what you read, share this with your family and friends.
Orthodox Alaska Part 3: A Seminary That Serves Kodiak Island’s Arctic Willow
New 'The Chosen' Documentary Tries To Engage Gen Z With Jesus by Joseph Holmes
(REVIEW) The creative team behind “The Chosen” put together a documentary in which nine members of Gen Z binge-watched the first season of the show and shared their reaction. The documentary showcases a lot of genuine spiritual growth, but don’t expect it to solve all the problems present with young people and the church.
Traditional Latin Mass Feud: What Will The Outcome Mean For The Future Of Catholicism? by Clemente Lisi
(ANALYSIS) “What’s the deal with all the emotional meltdowns about the traditional Latin Mass? I mean, no one speaks Latin anymore.” It sounds like a line that could have come out of the mouth of comedian Jerry Seinfeld during one of his stand-up acts. It isn’t part of his act, but it is a more than symbolic question that Catholics have been pondering over the past year.
Orthodox Alaska Part 2: The Beatles, Bees And Orthodoxy Animated In One Man's Life by Jovan Tripkovic
Several young Orthodox converts who live at the St. James House, a self-directed program for young Orthodox adults, kept asking me during my visit last November if I had met Joe, the beekeeper. From what I had gathered, this guy named Joseph “Joe” Dunham, 68, was a living legend of the Eagle River community. He sounded quirky. I had to meet him.
Orthodox Alaska Part 1: Once An Evangelical Church, This Alaska Parish Has Become An Orthodox Hub by Meagan Clark
While less than 1% of Americans identify as Orthodox Christians, 5% of Alaskans identified as Orthodox in 2014, according to Pew Research. And while the number of regular attendees at Eastern Orthodox churches in the U.S. has declined 14% from 2010 to 2020, the number of parishes grew 3% over the same decade, according to the latest data in the 2020 Census of Orthodox Christian Churches.
Christians Overcome Technological Fears To Share Jesus Around The World by Bobby Ross Jr.
For years, Fairfax church members — including older Christians such as Harrington, Jan Johnson and Juanita Wheeler — have connected in person with immigrants through FriendSpeak. But when the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown came in the spring of 2020, face-to-face studies with friends from China, El Salvador, Syria and elsewhere became impossible.
Study Finds Muslim Woman In India Face Discrimination When It Comes To Hiring by Naila Khan and Uzair Usmani
New research recently found bias against Muslim women in India exists across all industries. For the study, two similar fake resumes were created, one of a Hindu woman and the other of a Muslim woman. The Muslim woman received half as many job offers.
A Visit To The Latter-Day Saints ‘Wizard Of Oz’ Temple In Washington, DC by Hamil R. Harris
(ANALYSIS) One of the most sacred places in the Latter-day Saints temple in Washington is the Celestial Room on the sixth floor, where people come, sit quietly and pray. The Mormon leaders say this is a place to “feel close to and commune with God.” There are no ceremonies in this space.
Pope Francis’ Delayed African Visit Muddies Hope For Peace-Building In DRC, South Sudan by Tawanda Karombo
Catholic leaders in Africa said Pope Francis’ visit to South Sudan is long awaited and could help push the political players to a settlement. The wider Catholic community in Africa is in a state of frustration over Francis’ decision to cancel and postpone his planned visit to the crises-ravaged nations of Congo and South Sudan after opting to go ahead with his trip to Canada.
An Interview With The Greek Orthodox Environmental Chief For ‘The Green Patriarch’ by Jovan Tripkovic
“Not only is a powerful (Orthodox?) tyrant annihilating human life and fertile land, but a prominent (Orthodox!) patriarch is granting benediction and endorsement of this destruction of a neighboring population that shares much of the same faith, history, and culture.”
Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers Outnumber Abortion Clinics, Offer Compassion And Tangible Help by Kim Roberts
While there has been a prevailing narrative since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in June that pro-lifers don’t care about women, the facts tell a different story. For over 50 years, even preceding the Roe v. Wade decision, Christians have been serving women in unexpected or crisis pregnancies.
Christian Scientist Helped Reveal Beauty Of Universe Through James Webb Telescope by Gabriel Grant Huff
The first images from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope released July 12 revealed segments of God’s beautiful universe never seen before. Scott Acton, a Christian scientist at Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. in Boulder, Colorado, served as the wavefront sensing and controls scientist on the telescope project.
Opinion
Sunflower State Surprise: 5 Takeaways As Kansas Keeps Right To Abortion In Constitution
In Friday’s Weekend Plug-In column, Bobby Ross Jr. offers five takeaways from Kansas voters’ surprising decision not to remove the right to abortion from the state’s Constitution. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines from the world of faith.
Don’t forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobby’s column early on Fridays for only $5 a month. Click the button below to subscribe!
With The Rise Of Sports Betting, Will America Soon Face A Gambling Epidemic? by Dr. Michael Brown
A Summer Of Transitions Has Reminded Me Of Life’s Blessings And Uncertainties by Paul Prather
Is Christian Imperialism On The Rise And Tearing Ethiopia Apart? by Girma Bekele
RIP Ron Sider: An Evangelical Caught In Political Crossfire by Terry Mattingly
Don’t miss our latest podcast
A Visit To The Latter-Day Saints ‘Wizard Of Oz’ Temple In Washington DC
The six gold-tipped spires of the temple, originally dedicated in 1974, stoke intrigue like Emerald City in the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland. Part of the attraction is that the Latter-day Saints temple is off-limits to the public — except for an open house, which has not taken place in nearly 50 years, since 1974. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website.
In case you missed it
Editorial picks from our archives
Reaching 100 Years In Dallas, Lutheran Church Grapples With COVID And Decline by BeLynn Hollers
The Central Lutheran Church of Dallas just celebrated its 100th anniversary. The congregation, which recently merged with 70-year-old Bethany Lutheran Church of Dallas, is starting to reckon with the decline in attendance and membership that is plaguing mainline traditions across the United States.
Islamic And Hindu Customs Wipe Out Need For Toilet Paper by Avinash Giri
Spray nozzles called bum guns, water pots called lotas in South Asia and bidets have been keeping behinds clean for many years without toilet paper, in line with Islamic and Hindu texts urging purification of the body with water.
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