The Eagle River Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies began in 1995, and is sponsored by Saint John Orthodox Cathedral of the Antiochian Archdiocese.  It is held each summer from August 1-5, and offers sixteen hours of college-level instruction in a variety of Orthodox topics, including theology, history, liturgy, spirituality, and Biblical studies.  While the primary aim of the Institute is to offer continuing education to Orthodox Christians in Alaska, it is open to any who wish to attend.

2018 EAGLE RIVER INSTITUTE • AUGUST 1 – 5

We are very excited to host two Orthodox professors at our 2018 Eagle River Institute, both of them from the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese: Fr. Philip LeMasters and and Dr. Susan Ashbrook Harvey. The theme of this year's Institute, “Holiness among the Ordinary,” will help us get a picture of lay Christian life in the early centuries of the Church, and also see how the means for growing in the likeness of God are not far off, but all around us in our daily life. Please join us for what we hope will be a very valuable Institute.

Also, we have worked with Ancient Faith Ministries to publish podcasts of the best lectures from previous Institutes. Listen to  "Everyday Theology" on Ancient Faith Podcasts. All of us at Saint John’s invite you to join us August 1-5. We are always greatly blessed to host guests, and a limited amount of lodging is available right on the cathedral grounds.

We would love to see you at this summer's Institute!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Marc Dunaway

There is an opportunity for a very special "add-on" to the Eagle River Institute. Each year, Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral in Kodiak hosts an annual pilgrimage to Spruce Island on August 9th - the anniversary of the canonization of St. Herman of Alaska in 1970. The schedule of events and activities is normally available on the Diocese of Alaska web site.  For further information please contact Rev. Innocent Dresdow at 907-486-3854.

There used to be a warning on the itinerary that said "Subject to Change", referring to the unpredictable weather and ocean conditions. It isn’t there now, but the weather can still be unpredictable and play havoc with the pilgrimage plans-there have been years when the visit to Spruce Island had to be delayed or canceled due to bad weather. In any event, you would still be able to venerate the relics of St. Herman during the Divine Liturgy at the Kodiak cathedral.

Weather permitting, the fishing boats that carry pilgrims to Spruce Island depart the Kodiak docks around 8am. Weather conditions are often cool and damp, so it would always be prudent to have a windbreaker or other wet weather clothing on hand. Lunch is provided at the beach on Spruce Island by the women of the church following Divine Liturgy. You may want to bring a small bottle to fill with holy water from the spring, and a bag or small container for soil from the island.

Both Alaska Airlines and Era Aviation operate flights from Anchorage to Kodiak. Since Era Aviation is a regional carrier that only operates in state, they have no security screening requirement. Alaska Airlines does not operate separate check-in gates for in-state destinations, so all their passengers are processed through the same security gate.

For a more adventuresome and leisurely connection, the Alaska Marine Highway System operates a ferry between Homer and Kodiak. Their Anchorage office may be reached at 907-272-4482.

The high-end commercial lodging is the Best Western Kodiak Inn (907.486.5712). They offer an airport shuttle service, which makes hiring a taxi unnecessary. Once in Kodiak, everything is within easy walking distance - in fact, the Inn is directly across from the boat harbor where the pilgrimage departs from. Of the other two establishments, the Russian Heritage Inn (a modest motel, actually, despite the name) is the most centrally located, and folks who’ve stayed there reported that they were entirely satisfied with their rooms.  For a little bit of charm, try Mrs. Potts B & B.

Miss an Institute? Or want to hear it again?

Previous Eagle River Institute recordings are now available through the Cathedral's bookstore. Cost is $5 per series/lecture track, and are provided in mp3 format. Email stjohnassistant@gmail.com to place an order, or pick-up a copy in the Cathedral bookstore.

Previous ERI recordings are still available through Orthodox Christian Cassettes.  Lectures are recorded and made available by Orthodox Christian Cassettes for Institutes up through 2011. For information, contact:

Orthodox Christian Cassettes
2919 N. 56th Street
Springdale, AR 72762
Email: occassette@aol.com
Web: http://www.orthodoxtapes.org

Click here for a list of past speakers.