Exciting events scheduled for the OCA All-American Council

A Dinner Trip to Historic Holy Trinity Temple, Wilkeson

Take a tour back in time, to the old coal mining village of Wilkeson Washington, in the verdant foothills that stretch below the lofty peaks of Mount Rainier, where Holy Trinity Church was founded by immigrant coal miners and lumberjacks in the summer of 1896. Holy Trinity Temple, constructed in 1900, is the oldest in the Diocese of the West, and one of the oldest temples in the lower 48 States. It was consecrated on September 22, 1902 by St. Tikhon, who at the time still maintained his headquarters in San Francisco. Holy Trinity is on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places and is maintained in pristine condition. This little gem of a building mixes Slavic Orthodox architecture with the local Victorian era style found throughout the historic village.

The scenic drive from Bellevue to Wilkeson takes about an hour, and if it is a clear day and the “mountain is out” you will be thrilled at its glacial beauty rising 14,400 feet over the Western Washington landscape. We will serve a Prayer Service (Moleben) to St. Tikhon, a portion of his sacred relics are embedded in a special icon there. Your host, Mr. Scott Miller, a long time member of the parish, will present a talk about the unique history of the temple and the area. On the way back to the hotel, we’ll stop for dinner at Anthony’s Home Port restaurant on the shores of beautiful Puget Sound for a Pacific Northwest salmon dinner (chicken optional), a local treat to top off your day in beautiful Western Washington. $50.00 per person includes transportation, meal & gratuities.

More information here.

A Dinner Trip to Seattle’s Historic Cathedrals

Founded in multi-ethnic diversity in 1895 by both Russian and Greek immigrants, along with faithful from throughout Eastern Europe, St. Spiridon Cathedral has maintained a rich, friendly spirit that incorporates and welcomes all people, both native born and newly arrived. The Cathedral’s dark blue landmark cupolas overlook Lake Union and the Seattle Center with its famous Space Needle.

After a brief welcome to the Cathedral, your host, Rector Emeritus, Fr. Vadim Pogrebniak who served as Cathedral Dean for 27 years, will present a talk about this historic cathedral’s vibrant life throughout the past 116 years. From St. Spiridon Cathedral, we’ll travel up Seattle’s Capitol Hill to St. Nicholas Cathedral, founded in 1932 by Russians fleeing Communism. After stopping in the Cathedral, we’ll move upstairs to the chapel, once the room of St. John Maximovitch, who offered his holy soul to God here in 1966. A Moleben (Prayer service) will be served in St. John’s chapel. Afterward, you are invited to the church hall where the Cathedral Sisterhood will serve a traditional Russian meal, while singers under the direction of Yelena Kovalsky from St. Spiridon Cathedral will offer a program of Slavic music. $50.00 per person includes transportation, meal & gratuities.

More information here.