Saint Olga Michael

Olinka "Olga" Arrsamquq Michael (Russian: Ольга Аррсамкук Майкл; née Arrsamquq, (1916-02-03)February 3, 1916 – (1979-11-08)November 8, 1979), known as Olga Michael, Olga of Alaska, Olga of Kwethluk, or Matushka Olga (Russian: матушка Ольга), was a Native American Eastern Orthodox midwife, matushka, and saint from Alaska. In 2025, she became the first North American woman, and the first Yup'ik person, to be canonized as an Eastern Orthodox saint. Olga Arrsamquq was born in Kwethluk, Alaska to Native American parents of the Yup'ik people in 1916. In 1935, she married Nicolai Michael, a man who would go onto become an Orthodox priest. From there she became a "matushka" (a Russian term for a priest's wife), becoming important in the religious community. Outside of church life, she worked as a midwife, a traditional healer, and an English teacher. She became an important figure of advice and counseling, particularly among women. Michael died of cancer on November 8, 1979 in Kwethluk. After her death, a number of people reported seeing Michael in visions or dreams as a comforting figure, sometimes as a healer of prior abuse. Long considered to be a potential Orthodox saint, her eventual canonization was announced by the Orthodox Church in America in 2023. She was canonized on June 19, 2025 in Kwethluk, in a ceremony overseen by several prominent members of the clergy. With her canonization, she became the first North American woman, and the first member of the Yup'ik people, to be made an Eastern Orthodox saint. Olinka Arrsamquq was born on February 3, 1916 in the village Kwethluk in the Territory of Alaska, in the United States, to Native American parents of the Yup'ik tribe. She was given the baptismal name, Olga, which became commonly used to refer to her. Arrsamquq later married Nicolai Michael on January 7, 1935, as part of an arranged marriage in accordance with local custom. She came to be known by the name Olga Michael after her husband.