“There aren’t that many Russian Orthodox followers (anymore), but it’s part of our heritage and we do want to see it preserved." The Russian Orthodox church was established in Alaska on Kodiak Island in 1794 and missionaries spread the faith, baptizing an estimated 18,000 Alaska Natives. Experts estimate about 80 historic Orthodox churches exist across Alaska, but weather and time are taking a toll, making restoration efforts even more critical. Deacon Thomas Rivas, the episcopal secretary to the Alaska Orthodox bishop. “However, its primary function is sacred and that’s important to all of us, even those of us that are not Russian Orthodox.”

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Persons: Romanov, Nicholas Church, ”, Charlene Shaginaw, “, Aaron Leggett, Peter the Great, Vitus Bering, Bering, baptizing, Richard Nixon, Deacon Thomas Rivas, Leggett, Gina Ondola, Rivas, Romanov czars, Jobe Bernier Organizations: Alaska Natives, National Park Service, Church, National Register of Historic Places, Mission Society Locations: EKLUTNA, Alaska, Alaska's, Anchorage, Eklutna, Eklutna’s, Russian, Danish, Russia, Unalaska, United States, U.S, Kodiak, Kenai, Sitka, ”, Cook, St, Siberia