Case file · Apparition / miracle
The Sitka icon of the Mother of God
An icon of the Virgin brought to St. Michael's Cathedral in Sitka around 1850 has a reputation among the faithful for healings. When the cathedral burned in 1966, townspeople carried it out of the fire.
1850 CE · 57.05, -135.34 · status: legend
The account
The wooden cathedral of 1848, seat of the Russian bishop of Alaska, was rebuilt as an exact replica after the fire, and the rescued icons, including the 'Sitka Madonna', returned to it.
The sceptical view
Reports of healings are claims by believers and have not been examined.