His Eminence the Most Reverend Archbishop Gregory (Afonsky) of Sitka was Bishop of Sitka and Alaska from 1973 until his retirement in 1995.

George Afonsky was born on April 17, 1925, in Kiev, Ukraine (which at that time was part of the former USSR). Both his father and a grandfather were priests. During World War II, his family ended up in Germany, where he labored in German work camps. In 1949, he emigrated to the United States after graduating from the Real Gymnasium. In the United States he served as a choir director for the next fifteen years at various Orthodox churches in New Jersey and Connecticut.

He began classes at St. Vladimir's Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York after graduating from the University of Connecticut. Graduating from St. Vladimir's Seminary in 1965, he was ordained to the priesthood during the same year and was assigned to St. Sergius Chapel at Syosett, New York. While assigned to Syosett, Fr. George continued his education, receiving a Master of Arts degree from Hofstra University and a Master of Theology degree from St. Vladimir's Seminary.

In November 1971, Fr. George was assigned to St. Nicholas Church in Portland, Oregon. While at St. Nicholas Church, Fr. George took monastic vows at St. Tikhon's Monastery, receiving the name Gregory. In March 1973, Fr. Gregory was elected bishop of Sitka and Alaska, and on May 13,1973 he was consecrated in St. Michael’s Cathedral in Sitka. In addition to being active in overseeing his diocese, Bp. Gregory was active in developing the St. Herman's Pastoral School, which had opened its doors near Kenai, Alaska in February 1973. The following year the school moved to Kodiak, Alaska. By 1975, the school had developed such that the Holy Synod of Bishop accepted it into the OCA seminary system and, in 1977, re-named the school St. Herman's Orthodox Theological Seminary.

On March 23, 1995, Bp. Gregory was elevated to the rank of archbishop by the Holy Synod. After twenty-two years of episcopal service, Abp. Gregory submitted a request for retirement due to poor health, which was approved on July 20, 1995.
Fell asleep in the Lord on April 15, 2008 in Jackson, New Jersey.

Memories from Richard Dauenhauer

Bishop Gregory's birthday is April 17. My fondest memories of him are directing the choir, and hunched over our kitchen sink showing me how to make caviar in the approved canonical style. Or coming upstairs from his bedroom in our Anchorage split-level house, ranting about the political convention that was on TV, and retreating for more. He was a TV junkie who loved JR of Dallas because he was so nasty. He also taught me how to soft-boil an egg without a timer -the way he learned to do it during the war. It works every time and simplifies one's life.

Bishop Gregory was what they call in Yiddish a Mensch, a genuine human being. He could be frustrating. I remember one diocesan assembly spending an entire day trying to explain to him what an earnest money agreement is. Or getting a call from Fr Nick Harris to come over to the rectory very late at night and help him explain what "in kind" means on a grant proposal that needed his signature. In both cases, he was an old country conservative protecting the church from reckless commitments.

He was fun to travel with. I remember one trip to the Pribilofs (on the grant that we finally persuaded him to sign off on to record liturgical music in Sitka and on the Pribilof Islands) knocking on his door early in the morning and calling "Slava Iisusu Khristu," and hearing his response, "Slava vo Veki."

As one e-mailer commented today, no one cringed in fear and trembling at Bp Gregory, scurrying to strew little rugs ahead of him and avoid his wrath. He had his grumpy moments, but the whole I think our memories of him are of great joy. Bishop Gregory tonsured me as a reader over 30 years ago. I remember his question to Fr Nick, "Is this good for the church?" Was it a good idea? I like to think so.

Vechnaya pamiat' indeed! Dick