Three Ordinations in Kodiak
His Grace Bishop BENJAMIN of San Francisco and the West, administrator of the Diocese of Alaska ordained Deacon Gregory Parker to the Holy Priesthood on Sunday, March 15th, 2009. Celebrating a joyous hierarchical liturgy of St. Basil with His Grace was Archpriest Michael Oleksa acting chancellor of the diocese, Priet Innocent Dresdow, Dean of Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Archimandrite Juvenaly, Hieromonk Sergius, Archpriest Martin Nicolai, Archpriest John Dunlop, Dean of St. Herman Seminary, Priest Paisius Delucia, Dean of St. Innocent Academy, Priest Evon Bereskin, Priest Joshua Resnick and Deacon Anthony May.
Reader Methodius Nicori was ordained to the diaconate on Saturday, March 14, and served his first vigil as a Deacon on Saturday evening. Deacon Methodius is completing his third year of study at St. Herman Theological Seminary in Kodiak. He is from Kwethluk, Alaska, where he attends St. Nicholas Church. He is a graduate of Alaska Moravian Seminary (2001). He is supported in his studies in Kodiak by his wife Elsie and children Martha, Katherine and Juvenaly. A group of five individuals sponsor him financially through Outreach Alaska.
Deacon Gregory Parker was ordained to the priesthood on Sunday, March 15, He is completing his fourth and final year of study at St. Herman Theological Seminary in Kodiak. He has served as a Deacon at the Seminary and Cathedral for the past year. Deacon Gregory is from Lame Deer, Montana, which is located in the northern Cheyenne reservation. He has a bachelor of arts degree in human services from Salish-Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana. He is supported in his studies in Kodiak by his wife Marlene, children Gabe, Roger and Leo, and mother Sue Parker. Two Orthodox parishes support him financially, his home parish St. Nicholas of Zhica and St. Nicholas Church in Washington, D.C. (through Outreach Alaska).
Reader Ishmael Andrew was ordained to the diaconate on Sunday, March 15. Deacon Andrew is completing his third year of study at St. Herman Theological Seminary in Kodiak. He is from Kwigillingok, Alaska, where he attends St. Michael Church. In addition to his seminary studies, Andrew has a background in elementary education, having received an associate of arts degree and neared completion of a teaching certificate at the Kuskokwim Campus of the University of Alaska. He is supported in his studies in Kodiak by his wife Anastasia, children Elijah, Zenaida and Aidan and his father Noah Sr. and mother Donna from Kwigillingok. He is sponsored financially by St. John the Forerunner Church in Texas and by individuals from New Jersey who support him through Outreach Alaska.
His Grace admonished the newly ordained of their role as shepherds, a role in which the shepherd faithfully leads by serving with love, humility, and forgiveness being the living image of Christ to the flock entrusted to their care.
