Thanks for visiting us! We’re a family business based in Palmer, Alaska, and we have provided church candles and supplies to Alaskans for over 20 years. We are committed to supporting local craftsmen whenever possible in the production of wood furnishings, candles and icons.
We are excited to bring you a variety of products, including a line of hand hewn coffins and lecterns, a variety of hand dipped beeswax candles, as well as hand painted and gilded icons, all from local families.
Please browse our shop and contact us with any questions or comments: we’d love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Alex Miller
About Alaska & Rural Alaskan Churches
Look for stories, photos, and details about these rural Alaskan churches that we’ve visited, coming soon!
- Lower Kalskag
- Aniak
- Bethel
- Napaskiak
- Kwethluk
- Nustuyahuk
- Dillingham
- Oscarville
- Pitkas Point
- Pilot Station
- St. Marys
- Marshall
- Russian Mission
- Ohagenmute
In the meantime, see Diocese of Alaska’s map here.
Newhalen / Iliamna – January 2017
Alex Miller had a wonderful first visit to Newhalen, Alaska in January 2017. As you can see in these pictures taken by Gene Bourdukofsky and Matushka Gladys, the peaceful community of Newhalen was very welcoming and treated Alex like family. Even though he was only there for three days, Alex came home with an abundance of happy memories and new friendships. Thank you so much to all who took him in and shared your homes and lives with him.
2015 Consecration of Bishop of Alaska
In 2015, the Orthodox Church in America consecrated the new Bishop of Alaska. In preparation for the service Bishop David and Gene Bourdukofsky asked if Holy Archangel Candles could make green candles to celebrate his Irish heritage. Alex spent a week crafting beautiful green Bishop’s candles and really enjoyed having a special project to work on. He had never done anything like it before. Alex then made the trip to St. Innocent Cathedral in Anchorage to witness the consecration. He brought back a bunch of wonderful pictures to share, so we hope you enjoy them. And we wish Bishop David many wonderful years here in Alaska.
2016 Alaska State Fair
In 2008, we were able to sell beeswax candles in a friend’s booth. Ever since then we have been wanting to get back to the fair, but it is a huge undertaking to make your own booth. In 2016 we were blessed with a wonderful opportunity. The parish at Saint John Cathedral in Eagle River has been running the Patmos books and icon booth at the fair for years. They were considering passing it on, and offered it to Alex. We were thrilled and so thankful for this opportunity. And we have to say a huge thank you to Diana Lambernakis for all of her help in setting up and decorating our new booth. You are amazing, and the best God-mother ever!
2015 Nushagak Deanery Conference
The first church Alex arrived at was the St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church. The antique icons were rescued from an old historic church that was lost to fire across the bay.
Fr. Michael figuring how to fit all the liturgical supplies, Alex, and his family in the boat to get to Koliganek.
Last minute repairs to make the boat river worthy.
The start of two day boat ride up the Nushagak River. Initially the waves were so choppy that they threw a fish into the boat!
Sunset in New Stuyahok, the night of the first day up the river.
Celebrating the Feast of the Dormition at St. Sergius Church in New Stuyahok. Alex was stunned at how large the church was.
Before Liturgy.
Snack of salted fish heads at midnight after a steam bath.
Transportation waiting to head out to Koliganek on the second day.
Coming into Koliganek. The very last village on the Nushagak river. After this it is complete wilderness with tundra.
The beautiful St. Michael the Archangel Church in Koliganek.
The Deanery Conference was held in Koliganek with Bishop David presiding. Blue is the color of the conference due to it happening over the feast of Dormition. The faithful of St. Michael’s in Koliganek. Koliganek in the last village on the river before civilization gives way to tundra and wildlife. Alex always laughs when he sees this picture because everyone asked to have a picture taken with their cell phone. So at Alex’s feet is a small pile of cell phones to take pictures with.
Not quite up to another two day trip down the river, Alex jumped at the opportunity to fly home with Bishop David.
Just the neighborhood brown bear wandering through the yard to say hello and eat some tasty grass. Alex found out that bears like to fill up with grass before hibernation.
Sight seeing in Dillingham after the conference.
Taking in the beauty of Snake Lake’s pristine waters.
Crystal clear water, teeming with red salmon.
President Obama’s supply plane, preparing for his visit to Dillingham.
Fresh water from the river flowing into the glacial waters of Lake Clark (we think).
Silty glacial water flowing into Lake Clark.
Cook Inlet on the way home (near Anchorage).
