25 Comments

Thank you for sharing this! I didn't know much about Matushka Olga until this past week, when one of my creative writing students wrote a scene about her for an assignment. I was immediately touched.

Similar to your hospital story, we brought an icon of my daughter's patron - St. Elizabeth the New Martyr - to the hospital when she was born. It was a scary and dramatic birth, but she was fine in the end. Later, my husband and mother-in-law expressed gratitude for the three nurses in the room. One of the attending nurses corrected them: "there were only two of us." She was adamant. We have always believed that St. Elizabeth was the third nurse.

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What a beautifully powerful story Monica! Thank you for sharing. I am sure it was St. Elizabeth. It sounds like something she would love to do. ❤️Hospital rooms see so many miracles!

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We learned about St Olga from the film Sacred Alaska: https://sacredalaskafilm.com/. I've got an icon of her above my writing desk and have been trying to write about her.

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Ooooh! I have not seen Sacred Alaska yet, but I am eager to! The ladies at church were just talking about how it is out for rent and purchase now, not just showings. I am so glad you have her icon and I will look forward to reading what you have to share about her. There is a notable lack of Saint Olga Substack posts. 😁

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Great piece! Matushka Olga of Alaska is my wife’s patron saint. Olga’s story is beautiful and inspiring. My wife helps women with birth, breastfeeding, and other motherly things, so Olga was a fitting choice. Many haven’t heard of her, so sharing her story has been a joy for us!

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Wonderful, Joe! Yes, what a fitting patron for your wife. May her work be blessed.

Thank you for reading!

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I've never heard of this holy and heroic woman before but was so glad to read about her here. What beautiful stories you have to share of her intercession. What a mercy that her prayers came through for you at such hard times!

Are there any picture books written about her that you are aware of? I think her story is amazing, admirable and inspiring.

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I am so, so grateful for her prayers! I do know of a picture book! I will find that and get back to you.

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Oh good - thank you!

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Found it! It is from Potomitis publishing. I could not share the picture here, so I tagged you in a note. Let me know if you have any trouble viewing that.

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Thanks, I'll watch for it.

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I’d never heard of her before either. That line from Lewis-enough joy in her little finger…What an ordinary devout woman who was faithful and who came to your aid several times. Thank you for sharing those stories.

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You are welcome Katie.

I’ll be honest, my modern self often spins towards rationalizing/psychologizing instead of simply accepting that our world and the unseen world interact in miraculous ways constantly. The more I open the eyes of my heart, the more I see. Thank you so much for reading!

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I hear you on rationalizing but what an amazing break through of the communion of saints into your life, helping you. I hope one day maybe you tell the story of those miracles around that accident, but only if you want to.

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Thank you Katie. ‘’I believe, help my unbelief.”

Maybe someday. It may take years.

❤️

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I hear you…

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Thank you so much for this piece. It hadn't even occurred to me to connect the widespread visibility of the northern lights with Matushka Olga's glorification. What a beautiful idea. Now I'll always think of it that way.

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Thanks Jennifer. I am glad this was meaningful for you!

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I'm SO grateful to you for introducing this saint to me - what a beautiful reflection about such a remarkable saint. And that Akathist!!

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Thank you Kristin. ❤️ I am glad you found these reflections on St. Olga meaningful.

Yes, this Akathist is stunning. It pulls in so many images that are fitting and yet startling in an Akathist.

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My husband and I just moved to Alaska last spring. We also just started joining an Orthodox community here. How special to celebrate Olga at this time of spiritual rebirth in our lives. I had never thought about the connection between the celebration of Olga's life and how far that moving curtain of lights stretched out across the sky this year. So cool! Glad I somehow stumbled upon this today.

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Hi Nicole! It warms my heart to hear of spiritual rebirth happening in your life. ❤️ So glad you stopped by and shared your story!

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Thank you for this wonderful post sister.

Matushka Saint Olga of Alaska, pray for us!

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I have not heard of this saint before so thanks for sharing her story. What a powerful intercesor and beautiful role model!

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You are welcome Sarah. Yes, such a needed influence for our time!

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