outside of Alaska. Fr. Makary credits this generous act to simply following the command of Christ in Matthew 18:10,14, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones … Even so it is not the will of your Father in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Father Makary’s commentary on Matthew 18:12-13: the teaching of the man with the lost sheep, is also indicative of the heart of love and service that he extends to his entire community. “I am of the opinion that the so called ‘nominal Christians’ are those who have gone astray. I’ve spent a sizeable portion of my priestly life with them socially and spiritually. I’ve involved myself also with my good neighbors who are not Orthodox to introduce them to the Orthodox faith – especially the strangers (tourists) visiting our churches.” Fr. Makary has been a highly active and visible member of the Kenai community, participating in the Rotary Club, the American Legion, and in City Council meetings.
where rested the relics of St. Herman in a coffin covered with a shroud painting of the Saint. While they carried the coffin on their shoulders, the pilot removed his cap. Then they went to the smaller chapel of the Virgin Mary Icon to get Father Herman’s klobuk, the heavy metal chains that he wore, and his small hollow metal cross. With these sacred items they returned to Kodiak, and then by vehicle drove to the church, where I placed them inside.”
Jon Osgood, the pilot of that historic helicopter flight, which is depicted on some icons of St. Herman, commented on his encounter with Fr. Makary that day in an article of The North Star (Summer 2005), “To know Fr. Macarius is to know someone who loves to talk. He has many, many stories to tell. On this day however, I can remember him never saying a word. He was extremely concerned … very nervous. He was so quiet that it made me a bit uneasy. I thought he might be wondering, ‘Is it right to remove the bones of Father Herman from such a sacred In March of 1969, Fr. Makary site?’” was given the honor by Metropolitan IRENEY, via a phone call Indeed, Fr. Makary’s humility is from His Beatitude’s secretary, clearly apparent when reading his Father Cyril Fotiev, to retrieve the relics of St. Herman from Monk’s “I AM OF Lagoon for transfer to Kodiak on the THE OPINION THAT occasion of the canonization of St. Herman in 1970. “Within an THE SO CALLED hour,” Fr. Makary recalls, “I flew on a chartered helicopter piloted by Jon ‘NOMINAL Osgood of Kodiak Airways. Because CHRISTIANS’ ARE the beach at Monk’s Lagoon was full of ice, we landed instead on a small THOSE WHO HAVE frozen lake just a short walking disGONE ASTRAY.” tance from the Chapel of Saints Sergius and Herman of Valaam,
own accounts of the highlights of his priesthood. His deep love for the people is shown in a great appreciation and profound respect for how they have blessed him. “And you Orthodox faithful, this includes you, both my parishioners and also you my good neighbors, please do not recall my sins but forgive them for the sake of your love for God. And give glory to God for whatever good work I have done for you … Yes, from you faithful and neighbors I have received your love and even gifts of wisdom.” He also is quick to credit his wife of 51 years, Mat. Yvette Marie, for sustaining him with her “love, humility and patience”, saying, “It’s overdue for me to emulate such virtues.” Father Makary will celebrate his 54 Anniversary in the Priesthood on July 27 of this year. Though retired, he still serves the Liturgy every other Sunday (with Saturday Vespers) and regularly serves Feastdays at Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Church in Ninilchik. Fr. Makary still serves according to the instructions he learned from Father Joseph Kreta, according to St. Tikhon’s Ustav. The relics that repose in the St. Tikhon’s Monastery Church, which we all venerate regularly were first brought from Monk’s Lagoon by Fr. Makary. Several current St. Tikhon’s seminarians who have had the blessing to meet Fr. Makary speak of his endearing smile, his genuine piety, and his generous love. Fr. Makary is, indeed, an example of a priest following in the footsteps of the great Alaskan Saints, combining a great respect and love for the traditions and holiness of the Russian Orthodox Church with a wide-open heart for the people of Alaska. th
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