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The Orthodox New Year in Alaska is a mix of seal meat, tea cakes, and Alaska Native and Slavonic languages.
It’s a cultural blend more than 150 years after Russia formally withdrew from what would become America’s 49th state. In that time, the Orthodox Christian customs continued to flourish and merged with Native traditions. In many ways, they are more established than in their home country, which saw religious persecution during the time of the Soviet Union.
Join Native America Calling to hear from Alaska Native adherents of Russian Orthodox Christianity about how they’re welcoming the New Year on January 14.
The Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau, Alaska. Photo: Wknight94
Archpriest Martin Nicolai (Yup’ik), retired Archpriest of St. Nicholas Church
Benjamin Jacuk (Dena’ina Athabascan and Sugpiaq), director of Indigenous research at the Alaska Native Heritage Center
Jill Fratis (Unangan), news producer and reporter for KNBA and Koahnic Broadcast Corporation
Sperry Ash (Sugpiaq), educator and Russian Orthodox deacon
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