Community members and Russian Orthodox worshippers gathered Friday at the senior center to celebrate a Slaaviq potluck.
Father Evon Bereskin, Unalaska's Orthodox priest, joined the group in singing hymns in Russian and English while congregants spun two wooden traditional stars decorated with tinsel, bells and bows.
“The stars that we’re spinning are the stars which the wise men followed,” Father Evon explained to KUCB in 2015. “So we’re spinning and singing and following the star, which leads us to Christ.”
Credit Annie Ropiek/KUCB
After the blessing, attendees lined up for a buffet lunch featuring scores of homemade dishes and baked ham and turkey with all the trimmings. Click below to hear a portion of Friday's hymnal singing.