Slaviq celebrations in Bethel will continue in a scaled down form this weekend due to pandemic concerns. Slaviq is the Christian Russian Orthodox high holy day celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Church choir co-director Ana Hoffman said that weekend services will continue as usual at Bethel’s St. Sophia Russian Orthodox Church. Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. The church recommends that attendees wear masks. There will be no traveling from house to house to share gifts and sing. Instead, the Nativity singing and gift giving will be held after the 10 a.m. service at St. Sophia on Jan. 9.
Hoffman said that Father Michael Nicholai will preside over the Slaviq services. The lead priest, Father Michael Trefon, has been stuck in Anchorage since early this week due to cancelled flights.
