Orthodox Alaska Rural Clergy Fund Reaches Milestone

His Grace, Bishop Alexei, of the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska has expressed his thanks that, by the grace of God, the diocese has reached its first goal for the Clergy Endowment Fund. The Archdiocese of Canada contributed significantly towards this project.

The median family income for the state of Alaska is $77,790 per year. But the median stipend for native priests is $7,200 per year, a salary that is $26,000 below the poverty line for a family of four. Almost all the clergy and their wives worry about a future that is so financially fragile. Some priests have been forced to leave priestly ministry to provide for their families. And pious young men considering the priesthood have hesitated to answer the call with such abject poverty looming in their future. Through a replenishing clergy stipend endowment, priests and their families can be provided with basic necessities every month for their entire active ministry.

Watch the video of thanks with Bishop Alexei: