Diocese of Alaska has episcopal administrator

(OCA) - On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, the Standing Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, met via teleconference under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon.  In their meeting, the members of the Standing Synod considered the request that His Eminence Archbishop David of Sitka and Alaska made to His Beatitude to appoint an episcopal administrator for the Diocese of Alaska. His Eminence has made this request due to his serious health condition. With the concurrence of the Standing Synod, His Beatitude reiterated that His Eminence Archbishop David remains the ruling bishop of the Diocese of Alaska. Additionally, His Beatitude accepted the request of His Eminence Archbishop David and appointed His Grace Bishop Alexis of Bethesda as episcopal administrator of the Diocese of Alaska.

His Eminence Archbishop David’s condition remains critical. He is residing at his daughter’s home in Hanover, Pennsylvania, while he receives treatment for cancer. Faithful are invited to mail cards, care of his daughter:

Archbishop David
42 Arlene Drive
Hanover, PA 17331

His Beatitude and the members of the Standing Synod call upon the clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America to remember His Eminence in their prayers. His Beatitude said, “Once again, I ask each of us to fervently pray that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Divine Physician and Healer of our souls and bodies, grant His Eminence Archbishop David courage and consolation to endure his treatment with hope, and that the Mother of God inspire him to maintain his strong faith while bearing this cross.”