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Seminarians & Their Sponsors
Married: Alexandra (5-4-56) Andrew was born in Juneau and raised in St. George until 1965 when the family moved to St. Paul in the Pribolof Islands. Andrew completed High School at the Chemawa Indian Boarding School in Salem, Oregon. After graduating in 1973 he attended the Police Academy in Sitka, Alaska. The next 5 years, Andrew worked in law enforcement for St. Paul before pursuing a career in plumbing. As a plumber, he worked for TDX Corporation (a Native Corporation) in general maintenance. In that capacity, he was responsible for chlorinating and testing of the water, and other tasks for keeping the water healthy for drinking, etc. He also hired on as a plumber with the City of St. Paul and the federal government through the coop for 14 years. For Andrew, there was always an interest in the Church. Following a life changing decision to quit drinking 11 years ago, Andrew focused his attention on how he would best serve the church - his Orthodox faith. He became a Reader without any formal training except through memory and teaching from the local priest. Andrew was blessed for Reader Services in July 1997 and Tonsured a Reader in February 1999. Last summer Bishop NIKOLAI encouraged him to further these studies at St. Herman's Theological Seminary in Kodiak. He said he would need to talk with his wife. Reader Andrew smiles when he tells this story and that Bishop NIKOLAI responded with - "Yes. (pointed to his watch) You have one hour. Go talk with your wife and be back here in one hour." Alexandra told him that whatever decision he would make, she would stand behind him. Andrew told her that "God gave us a good life and now we need to give back." They went together to talk to Bishop NIKOLAI and decided to make the move to Kodiak. They had one month from that decision to departure time. The local AC (Grocery Store) store needed housing for an employee - giving them the opportunity to lease their home. They worked to fix up and paint the house and then moved into the Senior Center until leaving for Kodiak. The local community raised the funds for them to travel. The adjustment to Kodiak from the village has been difficult. Alexandra says they are working this all out together. The kids' adjustment to school and a larger community has been hard. She has worked with Community Health Corporation as Secretary and Substance Abuse Counselor. Arrangements are being made for her to become recertified. The family is currently on food stamps and has applied for general assistance. The Orthodox community in Kodiak and their village has been very helpful and supportive. Andrew says this has been a hard year. His biggest challenge is the class work - relearning study habits. Alaxandra is very pleased that she has learned to make Prosfera. Andrew is a direct descendent of Major General Vassilie Kashevarof - commander of Kodiak Island when St. Herman was living on Spruce Island. Maj. Gen. Kashevarof was in charge of the island when St. Herman died. At the time of his death, St. Herman requested that no one be told. Checking on the beloved Father Herman, Vassilie went across to Spruce Island and found he had fallen asleep in the Lord. This was one week after his death. Major General Vassilie Kashevarof had 5 sons - all became priests. His descendents were dispersed throughout Alaska with one going to San Francisco. Father Peter Nicholas Kashevarof (Vassilie's son) is buried in the graveyard at Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church in Kodiak. Andrew says, " I come from a long line of priests."
2421 Perry St. • Wichita, KS
67204 |
Reverend Father
Andrew Kashevarof