标签： North America

In the remote Alaskan village of Kwethluk, Olga Michael, a Yup’ik woman known for her quiet generosity and compassion, has been canonized as the first female Orthodox saint from North America. Officially titled “St. Olga of Kwethluk, Matushka of All Alaska,” her sainthood marks a historic moment for the Orthodox Church, which has traditionally been led by male clergy. Olga, who passed away in 1979 at the age of 63, was a midwife, mother of 13, and a spiritual guide to many, particularly women who had endured abuse, miscarriage, or other personal traumas. Her legacy of kindness and piety has resonated far beyond her village, inspiring devotees across Alaska and beyond. Her canonization ceremony, held in her hometown, drew hundreds of worshippers from across the globe, celebrating her life and contributions. Metropolitan Tikhon, head of the Orthodox Church in America, emphasized the significance of recognizing women like St. Olga, stating that holiness is accessible to all, regardless of gender or background. St. Olga’s sainthood is especially meaningful as it highlights the role of lay women and mothers in the church, a departure from the traditional focus on nuns or ancient martyrs. Her canonization also underscores the deep connection between Orthodoxy and Alaska’s Indigenous cultures, where the faith has flourished since its introduction by Russian missionaries in the 18th century. St. Olga’s remains, now enshrined in Kwethluk’s St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, will serve as a pilgrimage site, honoring her enduring legacy as a beacon of hope and healing.

The United States, once a symbol of unity and resilience, has been grappling with deep societal fractures since the early 2010s. While the economy has shown remarkable strength, with wealth surpassing pre-Great Recession levels and wages steadily rising, American society remains deeply unsettled. This paradox raises a critical question: Why is a nation with such economic prosperity so plagued by division and discontent? The answer, it seems, lies in the transformative impact of smartphones and social media. The 2010s marked the widespread adoption of these technologies, which fundamentally altered how Americans interact, perceive each other, and engage with societal issues. Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram created a virtual space where geographic and ideological boundaries dissolved, forcing Americans into a constant, often contentious, dialogue. This digital revolution amplified existing fault lines—racial tensions, political polarization, and cultural divides—while introducing new challenges, such as declining mental health and institutional distrust. The rise of smartphone-enabled social media coincided with a sharp decline in perceptions of race relations, workplace sexism, and overall societal trust. Videos of police shootings, for instance, went viral, sparking nationwide protests and reigniting debates about systemic racism. Similarly, the MeToo movement gained momentum as social media provided a platform for marginalized voices. However, these platforms also fostered echo chambers, where extreme views were amplified, and constructive dialogue became increasingly rare. The result has been a society where anger and mistrust overshadow economic progress. Americans, once able to geographically sort themselves into like-minded communities, now find themselves in a digital town square, constantly exposed to opposing views and ideologies. This has led to a decline in happiness, particularly among educated liberals, who feel increasingly alienated in this new social landscape. The collapse of geographic sorting, once a release valve for societal tensions, has left Americans struggling to coexist in a hyperconnected world. As the nation navigates this digital age, the challenge remains: How can a society built on diversity and freedom adapt to a reality where everyone is constantly in each other’s virtual space?

A tragic incident unfolded on North America’s highest peak, Mount McKinley, as a skier lost his life in an avalanche, marking the second fatality of this year’s climbing season. Nicholas Vizzini, a 29-year-old from Washington state, and his snowboarding companion triggered the avalanche on Tuesday while descending the 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) mountain, according to a statement from Denali National Park and Preserve. The avalanche originated at approximately 16,600 feet (5,060 meters) and cascaded down to around 15,000 feet (4,572 meters).

Two mountaineering rangers swiftly responded after spotting Vizzini’s partner amidst the avalanche debris. Utilizing a beacon signal, they located Vizzini, who was largely buried under the wreckage. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced dead later that evening. Vizzini’s body was subsequently recovered and transferred to the state medical examiner’s office, while his partner sustained minor injuries and was scheduled to leave the mountain on Wednesday.

This incident follows the death of Alex Chiu, a ski mountaineer from Seattle, who perished earlier this month after a 3,000-foot (about 900-meter) fall on the mountain’s West Buttress climbing route. The climbing season, which typically spans from early May to early July, currently hosts around 500 climbers on Mount McKinley. The park authorities continue to emphasize the inherent risks of high-altitude mountaineering.