Summary prepared by V. Kryssova 2/1994 (transcribed from holograph sheet)

Manuscript n1 Date 1860. (This is approximate date, because the manuscript does not have date and author’s name)

In 1827 the Russian church sent a new missionary: Joann Veniaminov with family. He had two sons and four daughters. He served in Unalaska for 10 [years?]. At first, he lived in a dug-house with his family and ate a bad food, sometimes he starved.

He translated religious books into the local languages and built churches and schools. In these schools 600 Aleut children studied.

After 10 years Joann Veniaminov arrived in Sitka and spent 5 years there serving in the Archangelskaya Church. He collected information about Aleuts and Native people and studied languages of people called “Kolashe”.

Joann Veniaminov had a big dream to open a new Mission. He departed to the Russian Sacred Synod a church office in Moscow. The Russian Sacred Synod let him open a new Mission.

In 1842 Joann’s wife died.

Eventually, he was named Bishop Innocent, and later still, Metropolitan of Moscow, then the highest rank in the Russian Orthodox Church.

Joann Veniaminov was the newly named Bishop of Alaska, Kamchatka and Aleuts.

On August 10th 1842 Bishop Innocent left to go to America.

He had big intentions: He wanted to make Native Alaskans faithful to the Russian Orthodox Church.