An Eastern Orthodox church established centuries ago in Kodiak was vandalized Wednesday, with holy and historic items damaged and desecrated. One man, whose motives remain unknown, was arrested.
"At the candle stand was a money plate with cash donations, but it was untouched. It appears that the suspect targeted only the most sacred things -- the windows were the only 'non-holy' items damaged," the Rev. Innocent Dresdow wrote on the website of the historic Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral.
The Kodiak Police Department said it received a report of the sounds of glass breaking at the church off of Kashevaroff Avenue just before 8 p.m. Wednesday. A caller told police a man was trying to kick in the front door.
A nearby officer responded and arrested a partially clothed Arkimedes Garcia, 21, as he exited the church, police said. Dresdow, the church's presiding priest, said he didn't recognize Garcia's name.
Dresdow said he was notified of the vandalism by 8:19 p.m. He arrived at the church within minutes but wasn't immediately allowed inside as it was still an active crime scene.
The church is a landmark in the community, originally constructed in 1796; hundreds of tourists visited it on the day of the break-in.
Dresdow said he was shocked when he saw the damage.
"It was immediate grieving," Dresdow said. "It felt as though your soul had been assaulted, to see those sacred items scattered around and damaged."
Among the damaged items were relics of St. Herman, a Russian Orthodox monk and missionary who arrived in Kodiak in the late 18th century. Herman was canonized about 200 years after his arrival in Alaska. A shrine to St. Herman -- including a number of his relics -- is housed at the Kodiak church. Wednesday's vandalism desecrated it.
According to Dresdow, St. Herman's skufia -- a traditional hat worn by clergy -- was found on the floor, outside its glass case. The same went for a wrought-iron cross and chains, which Dresdow said St. Herman secretly wore on his chest until his death. Neither of those items sustained damage, but Dresdow said St. Herman's monastic cross was clearly vandalized.
Other sacred items were damaged and tossed on the floor. At least 10 windows were also damaged.
The Orthodox church's bishop of Alaska will decide if the desecrated items will be burned, Dresdow said.
Garcia faces four felony burglary charges and a criminal mischief charge.
Citing an ongoing investigation, Kodiak police said Thursday they wouldn't answer additional questions about the incident.
Dresdow said volunteers planned to meet at the church Thursday night to do a deep cleaning. Although many community members assisted in initial cleanup efforts, Dresdow said there's a lot to repair.
"I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the response from the community," Dresdow said. "By midnight last night all the windows were boarded up and (much of) the glass was removed.
"There were over a dozen people there once the police released the site to us -- not just church members, but community members. There is a very deep love for the church here in Kodiak."
And while the church wants Garcia to be prosecuted, members are also praying for his soul, Dresdow said.