Returning to Routine—Except Not Quite Yet

Nativity of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Church

What Russian Orthodox Christmas Looks Like in Ouzinkie and the Kodiak Borough (Respectfully gazing into the Village of Ouzinkie)

Across the country, early January often signals a familiar shift: lunches packed, inboxes reopened, snow boots by the door for early‑morning commutes. But in communities like Ouzinkie, Kodiak, and other villages within the borough, the rhythm is different. Here, holiday lights stay up, homes remain full of anticipation, and families prepare not to wind down, but to gather and celebrate.

The Russian Orthodox Diocese of Alaska follows the Julian calendar, which places Christmas on January 7, approximately two weeks after the widely observed December 25 date. For many Alaska Native families with deep Orthodox roots going back to the mission established on Kodiak Island in the late 1700s, this timing is not a delay, it’s tradition.

Starring (Slaawiq / Slaviq) The Heart of the Celebration

Perhaps the most iconic tradition in Ouzinkie and throughout the Kodiak region is starring, called Slaawiq or Slaviq in Alutiiq. This practice involves a beautifully decorated spinning star carried from house to house, accompanied by carolers singing in a mix of languages: Russian, English, Church Slavonic, Alutiiq, Yup’ik, and more.

The star symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem, but the meaning stretches deeper: it's a shared cultural thread connecting villages, families, and generations. Some stars are passed down through families for decades.

Inside each home, hosts offer food, often a blend of traditional Alaska Native dishes and Russian‑influenced recipes. Elders may speak, children twirl the star, and laughter fills each room as the carolers continue through the night.

Starring can last for days, sometimes traveling not just between homes but between villages across the archipelago. Some communities even visit cemeteries to honor loved ones who have passed, blending faith with deep local tradition. [kmxt.org]

Ouzinkie’s Orthodox parish, the historic Nativity of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Church, has served as a spiritual home since the late 1700s and early 1800s and continues to anchor these celebrations.

Singing, Feasting, and Gathering

Much like anywhere else during the holidays, food plays a central role. But here, meals often reflect both the church's history and Alaska Native heritage, homemade dishes, local fish and game, and regional specialties shared generously with neighbors.

Some communities host fireworks or bonfires, marking both celebration and closure. The final bonfire traditionally signals the end of the Christmas season.

Photo by Larry Pestrikoff

A Tradition That Endures

Russian Orthodox Christmas in Ouzinkie is more than a date on a calendar, it’s a living celebration of faith, heritage, and community resilience. Shaped by centuries of history, from the arrival of Russian fur traders in 1741 to today’s Alaska Native families who carry forward these practices, the celebration remains an anchor in the long Alaska winter.

And so, while much of the world shifts into productivity mode, Ouzinkie, Kodiak, and the entire archipelago step into a different rhythm, one built on shared meals, candlelit services, twirling stars, and the warmth of neighbors opening their doors to one another.

It’s a beautiful reminder that “getting back into the swing of life” doesn’t have to be abrupt. Sometimes, it starts with song, with community, with honoring history, and with a brightly spinning star lighting the way.

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