Anchorage Daily News

Archbishop Gregory Afonsky, retired Orthodox archbishop of Sitka and Alaska, died April 15, 2008, at home in Jackson, N.J.

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Archbishop Gregory Afonsky

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A funeral was celebrated April 18 at the Nativity of the Holy Virgin Church in Jackson. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

The son and grandson of priests, Archbishop Gregory was born George Afonsky in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 17, 1925. During World War II, he was taken by the German army to work in labor camps in Germany. In 1949, he emigrated to the United States, where he served as choir director at parishes in New Jersey and Connecticut.

After completing a degree at the University of Connecticut, he attended Saint Vladimir's Seminary, Crestwood, N.Y., from which he graduated in 1965. Later that year, he was ordained to the deaconate and the priesthood. He received a master of arts degree from Hofstra University and a master of theology degree from Saint Vladimir's Seminary.

In November 1971, Father George was assigned as rector of Saint Nicholas Church, Portland, Ore., and shortly thereafter took monastic tonsure at Saint Tikhon's Monastery, South Canaan, Pa., receiving the name Gregory. In March 1973, he was elected bishop of Sitka and Alaska. His consecration to the episcopacy took place at Archangel Michael Cathedral, Sitka, on May 13, 1973.

In addition to his duties as diocesan hierarch, Bishop Gregory was instrumental in establishing Saint Herman's Pastoral School in Kenai. He oversaw the school's move to Kodiak and its elevation to the status of a theological seminary. He was instrumental in revitalizing many communities throughout the diocese of Alaska, and delighted in attending annual regional conferences. He was deeply loved by his flock, especially the diocese's Native Alaska population.

The author of several books in Russian and English, as well as numerous articles, his eminence was a passionate researcher of the church's historical legacy in North America. In 1995, Bishop Gregory was elevated to the rank of archbishop by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America. Later that year, after 22 years of fruitful archpastoral service in the Diocese of Alaska, he retired due to failing health.

After the fall of communism, Archbishop Gregory was reunited with his brother following nearly 50 years of separation, when his brother visited him in the United States. Later, Bishop Gregory was also able to travel to Russia and Ukraine.

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