Orthodox Diocese of Sitka Anchorage and Alaska

H/T: Orrologion

ANCHORAGE, AK [Diocese of Alaska/ October 21, 2009] — The Orthodox Diocese of Alaska, meeting at its annual Assembly at Saomt Innocent Cathedral here, passed a unanimous resolution today, calling on state and federal agencies to deny permits to any “commercial or economic project” that threatens to damage or pollute the natural environment. The basis for the Church’s opposition to any “development” derives from a spiritual and theological concern, rather than political considerations.

The resolution first cites the traditional reverential attitude Alaska Native peoples have always had toward their environment, and then lists the Biblical sources for the belief that God blessed the world at the time of creation and that, despite human greed, waste and sin, He now is renewing it, restoring it, blessing and sanctifying it.

Central to the Church’s declaration is its affirmation that for over 200 years, parishes along the lakes and rivers have been performing the Great Blessing of Water, in commemoration of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan. During this annual ceremony, conducted along the shores of lakes and streams as well as at the coasts of the oceans, the Holy Spirit is invoked to bless the water, so that it becomes “holy water” used for the sanctifications of churches, homes and vehicles for the coming year.

Once a river or lake has been blessed, it becomes permanently sacred to Orthodox Christians. Any threat to destroy, contaminate or pollute it is seen as a form of desecration.

Claiming that a river or lake is sacred may also qualify it for protection under the terms of the Native American Freedom of Religions Act.

The Orthodox Diocese of Alaska is comprised of about 20,000 Alaska Natives in 95 Aleut, Yup’ik Eskimo, Athabaskan and Tlingit communities.

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