The Church of St. Michael in Sitka, Alaska, is the first Orthodox church built on American soil. Although the church was severely damaged by fire in 1966, it was fully restored and today stands as a testament to the spiritual presence of Orthodoxy in the far northwest of the United States. One of the most notable priests who served at this church was Saint Sebastian Dabovich, an American of Serbian descent and a pioneer of Orthodoxy in America. Dabovich founded the first Serbian Orthodox parish in the United States and actively spread the Orthodox faith among Serbs and other Orthodox believers across America. His life and work left a profound impact on the history of Orthodoxy in America, and the Serbian Orthodox Church canonized him as a saint.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources tend to emphasize the multicultural and immigrant heritage aspects of the Church of St. Michael, highlighting the role of Serbian immigrants in the religious and cultural development of Orthodox Christianity in America. They may also focus on the church’s restoration as a symbol of preserving minority religious heritage and the contributions of immigrant communities to American society.
Center: Centrist sources report the historical facts about the Church of St. Michael, its significance as the first Orthodox church in America, and the life of Saint Sebastian Dabovich. They provide a balanced view focusing on the church’s religious, cultural, and historical importance without strong ideological framing.
Right: Right-leaning sources often emphasize the religious and national pride aspects, highlighting the pioneering role of Serbian Orthodox clergy in America and the church as a symbol of Orthodox Christian heritage and values. They may also stress the sanctity of the church and the canonization of Saint Sebastian Dabovich as a point of spiritual and cultural pride.
