St. Innocent Cathedral offers several services for hospital chaplaincy, baptisms, weddings, funerals, venue space rental & catering, and house blessings.
There is no set fee for priestly services. However, donations for clergy time are appreciated. Fees for cathedral use, venue space rental, and catering vary and help cover utilities.
Baptism is the first sacrament of the Church and symbolizes starting anew by dying to the old self and being reborn into a new life. It involves repentance, or a “change of mind,” and predates Christ, evident from John the Baptist’s actions in all four Gospels. John baptized many, including Christ, not from sin but to reveal the Holy Trinity, with the baptism in the River Jordan marking the first declaration of the Trinity, where God’s voice affirms Jesus as His beloved Son.
Both adults and infants are baptized, with a sponsor representing the child. The sponsor plays a crucial role and must be an active Orthodox Christian. This person serves as a significant role model. Parents are encouraged to consider potential sponsors or godparents carefully. Older candidates may consult the cathedral dean before selecting a sponsor. The baptism process involves immersion in water, symbolizing death to the world and rebirth into Christ’s resurrection. The baptism ceremony typically concludes with Chrismation, which marks participation in Pentecost and the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The priest anoints the individual, declaring it “the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit,” and the person becomes a child of God with the Holy Spirit dwelling within them.
Those seeking baptism to become Orthodox Christians should consult the cathedral dean for guidance. This often involves Inquiry and Catechism classes. Resources are available at Saint Innocent Cathedral.
Marriage is the oldest sacrament of the Church and marks the first interaction between any two people in Creation. Genesis 1:27 reveals God created male and female in His image. Genesis 2:21-24 shows God presents Adam and Eve to each other in the mystery of marriage. Christ’s first public miracle at the Wedding of Cana (John 2:1-11) affirms this mystery. In Matthew 19:6, Christ declares that in marriage, man and woman become one flesh, warning that what God unites, no man may separate.
In the Church, wearing white is associated with three sacraments: baptism, which signifies a new Christian life; marriage, which symbolizes the uniting of two lives; and holy ordination, which is the selection of a man for the diaconate, priesthood, or episcopacy—his marriage to Christ.
These sacraments represent divine orderings that benefit both the individual and the community. Thus, baptisms, marriages, and ordinations occur within local Church communities, as Orthodox Christians do not hold destination weddings.
While these are joyful beginnings, they should not be taken lightly. As Christ stated, “what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mt 19:6). Those desiring to marry should contact a priest for guidance. Saint Innocent Cathedral offers premarital classes to those preparing for marriage.
To schedule funeral services or a mortuary visit, please contact Father Daniel Charles at (907) 759-3424.
St. Innocent Cathedral has hospital chaplain services for planned visits to admitted patients and on-call services for family members with loved ones undergoing emergency medical treatment or hospice care. If you’d like to schedule a chaplain’s visit or have family needing emergency prayer services, please contact Father Michael Fredericks at (907) 310-7574.
The cathedral offers cafeteria space for receptions, special events, and meetings at a competitive price. Events such as wedding receptions, annual meetings, and special occasions can accommodate up to 250 people. Prices will vary depending on the size of your event.
Additionally, the St. Innocent Cathedral Sisterhood provides catering. To schedule a consultation for event planning or catering, use the following link:
House blessings generally occur between Theophany and the beginning of Great Lent. Contact Father Daniel Charles at (907) 759-3424 to schedule a house blessing.
