English version / русская версия This site is an electronic library of historic Orthodox Christian resources in the indigenous languages of Alaska. Included in this site are: • printed texts in the Aleut, Alutiiq, Tlingit, and Yup'ik languages, • audio libraries of liturgical hymns in mp3 format, • links to published materials for further research, • links to other web-sites dedicated to Alaskan Orthodoxy.  The Alaskan Orthodox texts require the use of Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader. The Alaskan Orthodox texts may be printed-out for non-commercial use only. Please address questions, comments, or corrections to Father Geoffrey, via e-mail at: korzg@hotmail.com |
| Aleut (Unangan) Orthodox Language Texts |
| • Orthodox Christian Catechism by St. Innocent (Veniaminov) & Ivan Pan'kov - manuscript 1826 (0.2 MB) • The Indication of the Pathway into the Kingdom of Heavenby St. Innocent (Veniaminov) - published 1840, 1899 (0.6 MB) • Holy Gospel According to St. Matthewby St. Innocent (Veniaminov) & St. Jacob (Netsvetov) - published 1840, 1896 (2.1 MB) • Pascha Gospel & Apostle Readingsby St. Innocent (Veniaminov) & St. Jacob (Netsvetov) - published 1840, 1896 (0.4 MB) • Beginnings of Christian Teaching • Part 1: Introduction - Alphabet - Prayers • Part 2: Sacred History • Part 3: Christian Catechism - Conclusion by St. Innocent (Veniaminov) & St. Jacob (Netsvetov) - published 1840, 1893 (1.7 MB) • Two Sermons from St. Nicholas Church in Atkaby St. Innocent (Veniaminov) & St. Jacob (Netsvetov) - manuscript 1842 (0.5 MB) • Short Religious CompositionSelection from "Grammatical Outline of the Fox Island (Eastern) Aleut language" by Ivan Kurbatov - published 1846 by St. Innocent (Veniaminov) (0.1 MB) • Preface to the Holy Gospel According to St. MarkPreface to the first Eastern-Aleut translation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Mark Fr. Innocent Shayashnikov - manuscript 1860 (0.1 MB) • Short Instructions, Biblical Quotations, and Prayers for a Blessed LifeOriginal compositions and translations into the Atkan-Aleut dialect by Fr. Laurence Salamatov - manuscript 1860 (0.2 MB) • New Testament translations into the Atkan-Aleut dialect • Holy Gospel According to St. Mark(0.8 MB) • Holy Gospel According to St. Luke (1.4 MB) • Holy Gospel According to St. John (1.0 MB) by Fr. Laurence Salamatov - manuscripts 1861 • Abridged Catechism for the Instruction of (Atkan) Aleut Youthby Fr. Laurence Salamatov - manuscript 1862 (0.3 MB) • The Life of Saint George, Great Martyr & Victory Bearerby Anthony Ugoril'nikov - manuscript 1868 (0.2 MB) • An Appeal for Orthodox Christian Youth Schooling & Educationby Bishop John (Mitropolsky), translated by Fr. Innocent Shayashnikov - manuscript 1871 (0.1 MB) • Prayerbook & Abridged Catechism in Eastern-Aleutby Fr. Innocent Shayashnikov - manuscript 1872 (0.3 MB) • Prayer Fragment found in Financial ReportTranslation of the hymn "If thou didst not intercede in prayer for us" translator unknown - manuscript 1872 (0.2 MB) • Prayer Before Holy CommunionTranslation of the prayer "I believe, O Lord, and I confess" by Fr. Paul Shayashnikov - manuscript 1886 (0.4 MB) • Antiphon 15, Tone 6. Holy Friday MatinsTranslation of the hymn "Today He who hung the earth upon the waters" translator unknown - manuscript 1890 (0.1 MB) • Aleut Primercorrected & expanded from "Beginnings of Christian Teaching (1840)" - published 1893 (0.4 MB) • Prayers & Hymns of the Orthodox ChurchHymns of Vespers, Matins, Divine Liturgy and Pascha by Rdr. Andrew Lodochnikov - published 1898 (0.6 MB) • Short Rule for a Pious LifeTranslation of the Russian-language text "Short Rule for a Pious Life" into the Aleut language by Fr. Innocent Shayashnikov - published 1902 (0.1 MB) • New Testament translations into the Eastern-Aleut dialect • Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew(0.7 MB) • Holy Gospel According to St. Mark (0.5 MB) • Holy Gospel According to St. Luke (0.7 MB) • Holy Gospel According to St. John (0.6 MB) • Acts of the Holy Apostles (0.7 MB) by Fr. Innocent Shayashnikov - manuscripts 1872, partially published 1902-1903 • Orthodox Alaska (periodical from Unalaska)by Rdrs. Leonty Sivtsov and Simeon Samoilovich - manuscript 1904 • Orthodox Temperance Society Pamphletby the Vicariate of Alaska, Diocese of the Aleutians and North America - published 1906 (0.7 MB) • The Pascha of Christby Fr. Alexander Panteleev and Rdr. Leonty Sivtsov - manuscript 1909 (0.2 MB) • Announcements from the Aleut Orthodox School in Unalaskaby the Aleut Orthodox School in Unalaska - typewritten 1910, 1911 (0.1 MB) • Collection of Sermons from the Aleutian Islandsby Fr. Alexander Panteleev and Rdr. Leonty Sivtsov - manuscripts 1909-1912 (0.3 MB) • A Pastor's Farewell with his FlockFarewell Address of Fr. Alexander Panteleev from the Aleutian Islands by Fr. John Orlov, Fr. Alexander Panteleev, and Rdr. Leonty Sivtsov - published 1912 (0.2 MB) • Abridged Lenten Triodion & PentecostarionHymns of Great Lent, Holy Week, Pascha and Ascension translator unknown - manuscript 1938 (0.1 MB) • Abridged Festal MenaionHymns of Christmas, Theophany and Pascha by Fr. Gregory Kochergin - manuscript 1940 (0.2 MB) • Supplement to the Abridged Festal Menaion, Lenten Triodion & PentecostarionHymns of Christmas, Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha translator unknown - manuscript 1967 (0.1 MB) |
| Kodiak-Aleut (Alutiiq) Orthodox Language Texts |
| • First Version of the Lord's Prayer in the Kodiak (Alutiiq) Language by Fr. Hieromonk Gideon (Fedotov) - manuscript 1804-1807, published 1816 (0.2 MB) • Pascha Gospel ReadingSelection from "Observations about the Tlingit & Kodiak languages" by Gregory Terent'ev - published 1846 by St. Innocent (Veniaminov) (0.4 MB) • Sacred History & Christian Catechismby Ilya Tyzhnov - published 1847 (0.5 MB) • Alutiiq Primerby Ilya Tyzhnov - published 1848 (0.2 MB) • Holy Gospel According to St. Matthewby Ilya Tyzhnov - published 1848 (1.4 MB) • Primer and Prayerbookby Constantine Larionov - manuscript 1855-1867 (0.4 MB) • Liturgical Translations from the Services of Christmas, Great Lent & Holy Weekby Emil Kosbruk - manuscript 1953 (0.2 MB) • Thrice-Holy Prayers and Little Litanyby Jeff Leer and Sergius Moonin - manuscript 1981 (0.1 MB) |
| Tlingit Orthodox Language Texts |
| • First Version of the Lord's Prayer in the Tlingit Language translator unknown - manuscript 1812, published 1816 (0.2 MB) • An Exercise in Translation into the Tlingit LanguageSelection from "Observations about the Tlingit & Kodiak languages" by Dimitry Larionov - published 1846 by St. Innocent (Veniaminov) (0.4 MB) • Holy Gospel According to St. Matthewby Rdr. Ivan Nadezhdin - manuscript 1854-1859 • An Early Published Version of the Lord's PrayerSelection from "The Frigate Pallada: Descriptions of the Voygage of Ivan Goncharov" by Rdr. Ivan Nadezhdin - published 1858 by Ivan Goncharov (0.5 MB) • Prayers in the Tlingit (Kolosh) Languageby Fr. Vladimir Donskoi - published 1895 (0.1 MB) • Membership Regulations & OathOrthodox Society of St. Michael the Archangel in Sitka by St. Anatoly (Kamensky) - manuscript 1896 (0.2 MB) • Sbornik (Selections) of Church Hymns and Prayersby Rdr. Ivan Nadezhdin - published 1896 (0.2 MB) • The Indication of the Pathway into the Kingdom of Heaven: Part 1by St. Innocent (Veniaminov), translated by Sergei I. Kostromitinov - published 1901 (0.2 MB) • Short History of the Old & New Testaments (in Questions & Answers) • Part 1: Old Testament History • Part 2: New Testament History by Fr. Vladimir Donskoi and Michael Sinkiel' - published 1901 (0.9 MB) • Orthodox Burial Hymn, Tone 6Translation of the hymn "As ye behold me lie before you all" by Fr. Andrew P. Kashevarof - typewritten 1920 (0.1 MB) • Selections from the Twelve Pre-Communion PrayersPrayers 1, 4, 8, 11 of the Pre-Communion Rule of Prayers by Fr. Andrew P. Kashevarof - typewritten 1920 (0.4 MB) |
| Yup'ik Orthodox Language Texts |
| • Sacred History From the Creation of the World to the Entry into the Promised Land by St. Jacob (Netsvetov) - manuscript 1862 (0.2 MB) • Word-Lists of Church-Related Termsby Fr. Zachary Bel'kov - manuscript 1880-1890 (0.2 MB) • From the Old Testament_Lessons from the Old Testament in the Aglemiut dialect_ by Dcn. John Orlov - manuscript 1887 • Three Liturgical Gospel ReadingsSt. Mark 1:9-11, St. Matthew 4:23-5:13, St. Mark 16:1-8 by Dcn. John Orlov - manuscript 1887 (0.1 MB) • Prayers & Hymns in the Kwikpagmiut-Kuskokwim dialectSelections from the Weekly, Festal, and Paschal cycle of services by St. Jacob (Netsvetov) and Fr. Zachary Bel'kov - published 1896 (0.6 MB) • Prayers & Hymns in the Aglemiut-Kuskokwim dialectPre-Communion Prayers, Beatitudes, Selections from Matins by St. Jacob (Netsvetov), Fr. Zachary Bel'kov and Fr. John Orlov - published 1896 (0.5 MB) • Liturgy of the FaithfulPrayers from the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom by Fr. Nikifor Amkan and Fr. Matthew Bereskin - manuscript 1909 (0.4 MB) • Liturgy of the Catechumens with Holy Gospel ReadingPrayers from the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Holy Gospel Reading: St. Mark 6:14-30 by Fr. Nikifor Amkan - manuscript 1911 (0.2 MB) • Four Liturgical Gospel ReadingsSt. Matthew 9:1-8, St. Matthew 16:13-20, St. Luke 10:38-42 & 11:27-28, St. Matthew 5:13-20 unknown translator - manuscript 1930 (0.1 MB) • Father John Veniaminov & Father Jacob Netsvetovby Fr. Michael Oleksa, tr. Marie Blanchett, il. B. George Smart - published 1975 (2.2 MB) • Lenten & Paschal HandbookHymns of Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha by Fr. Martin Nicolai and Fr. Hieromonk Yakov (Nicolai) - published 1995 (0.3 MB) • Orthodox Choir's HandbookHymns of Vespers, Matins, Divine Liturgy and Resurrection Tones with Select Hymns and Selections from the Panakhida, Funeral and Marriage Services revised by Fr. Martin Nicolai (original edition published 1974) - published 2002 (0.4 MB) • Thrice-Holy Hymn (Holy God)by the Orthodox Diocese of Alaska - published 2003 (0.02 MB) |
| Audio Resources |
Audio resources provided in mp3 format.  Many thanks to the Orthodox Diocese of Alaska for their permission to provide on-line samples of Orthodox Liturgical Hymns in the indigenous Alaskan languages. All audio files are © Orthodox Diocese of Alaska, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise marked. Please support the work of the Diocese of Alaska by purchasing the original full-length recordings of Aleut, Tlingit, and Yup'ik hymns. The Compact Discs may be obtained from: Orthodox Diocese of Alaska - Chancery Office PO Box 210569 Anchorage, AK 99521 Phone: (907) 677-0224 **Aleut Orthodox Liturgical Music:**Recorded in Anchorage, April 1980 & April 1981, on St. George & St. Paul Islands, April 1980. Anchorage: St. Innocent Cathedral Choir. Clergy: Fr. Nicholas Harris, Fr. Nicholas Kompkoff. Choir Directors: Iliodor Philemonof, Michael Lekanof. Pribilofs: Singers from St. George, St. Paul, Unalaska, Nikolski, Anchorage. Clergy: Bishop Gregory, Fr. Michael Lestenkof, Fr. Ismael Gromoff, Fr. Paul Merculief, Fr. George Pletnikoff. Choir Directors: Andronik Kashevarof, Perfenia Pletnikoff. 18 Tracks. 1-9: Great Lent & Pascha in Anchorage. 10-18: Bright Week on the Pribilofs. © 1981 St. Innocent Orthodox Church, Anchorage. Producer Richard Dauenhauer. Dedicated to the memory of Bishop Alexei (Panteleev), Bishop of Alaska 1934-1944. • Track 09: Christ is Risen(1:15) • Track 14: The Beatitudes (4:18) • Track 16: Litany (3:30) • Track 17: Prayer Before Holy Communion (I believe, O Lord, and I confess ...) (1:35) • The Lord's Prayer (Our Father)(1:29) From the collection of Stephanie Lestenkof Mandregan, by permission by Fr. Michael D. Lestenkof, Sts. Peter & Paul Church, St. Paul Island, Alaska **Tlingit Orthodox Liturgical Music:**Recorded at St. Michael's Cathedral, Sitka, May 9-12, 1980. Combined Choirs: Hoonah, Angoon, Juneau, Sitka Juneau: Elizabeth Govina, Mary Govina. Sitka: Matushka Emily Williams, Emma Davis, Nadja Williams, Mary Marks. Anchorage: Nora Dauenhauer. Hoonah: Elsie Pratt, Amy Marvin, Katherine Mills. Angoon: Jimmy George, Lydia George, Charlie Joseph, Emma Demmert, Mary Willis. Priest: Fr. Eugene Bourdukofsky. Choir Director: Fr. Michael Williams. Bell Ringer: Donna Lang. 25 Tracks. 1-11: Vespers & Divine Liturgy. 12-25: Liturgical Year © 1981 St. Innocent Orthodox Church, Anchorage. Producer Richard Dauenhauer. • Track 02: Rejoice O Virgin Theotokos(2:28) • Track 03: Thrice-Holy Hymn (Holy God) (2:53) • Track 06: Nicene Creed (3:42) • Track 16: Tropar of Theophany (When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized ...) (1:49) **Yup'ik Orthodox Liturgical Music from the Kuskokwim (vol. 1):**The St. Nicholas parish in Kwethluk, Alaska, dedicates this recording to the memories of the Archpriest Nicolai and Matushka Olga Michael, Archpriest Nicolai and Matushka Marie Epchook and Archpriest Vassily Epchook, whose bodies are buried in Kwethluk. 20 tracks. © Produced 1998 under the direction of Fr. Martin Nicolai. • Track 02: Blessed is the Man(1:42) • Track 03: O Gladsome Light (1:14) • Track 07: Having Beheld the Resurrection of Christ (2:40) • Track 08: O Victorious Leader (Взбранной Воеводе) (4:37) **Yup'ik Orthodox Liturgical Music from the Kuskokwim (vol. 2):**The St. Nicholas parish in Kwethluk, Alaska, dedicates this recording to the memories of Matushka Irene Suskuk and her children Nathan Isaac, Chelsea Catherine and Nicolai John, who perished on Dec. 22, 1999 in St. Paul, Alaska. 28 tracks. © Produced 2000 under the direction of Fr. Martin Nicolai. • Track 09: Tropar to St. Jacob (Netsvetov), Tone 2(1:04) • Track 21: Tropar to St. Nicholas, Tone 4 (0:48) • Track 25: Tropar to St. Herman of Alaska, Tone 7 (1:00) The Akathist Service to Our Lady of Sitka, with other Alaskan Liturgical HymnsThis recording features the Akathist Service to Our Lady of Sitka, as sung by the clergy of the Diocese of Alaska during the Pilgrimmage of the Wonderworking Sitka Icon in 2005. Also included are selected liturgical hymns in the Aleut, Tlingit, and Yup'ik languages. • Information about the Akathist Compact DiscInformation about the Akathist Compact Disc can be found at the bottom of the linked page |
| For Further Research |
| No endorsement of any book or bookseller is intended. The following links are provided for information only. Books in English: • Clerical News - St. Nicholas Church in Juneau, Alaska for 1916by Fr. Andrew P. Kashevarof - typewritten 1917 (0.1 MB) • The Russian Orthodox Church of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands And Its Relation to Native American Traditions - An Attempt at a Multicultural Society 1794-1912by Vyacheslav Ivanov - published 1997 Audio Lectures in English: • The Orthodox Church in Alaska - A History in 10 Partsby Fr. Michael Oleksa - lecture 1997 • Foundations of Alaskan Orthodoxy, its Spiritual Foundations, Monastic & Educational Missionsby Fr. Michael Oleksa - lecture 2007 • St. Herman of Alaska & Orthodox Missions in Americaby Kosta Stavrianeas & Fr. Michael Oleksa - interview 2008 Books in Greek / στα Ελληνικά: • Αγιοι της Αλάσκας - Ορθόδοξο Συναξάρι (Saints of Alaska - Orthodox Synaxarion)Γεωργίου E. Πιπεράκη, εκδ.Μυριόβιβλος - published 2004 Books in Russian / по-русски: • Сравнительный Словарь, по азбучному порядку расположенный (Comparative Word-Lists of Alaskan Languages in Alphabetical Order)translator unknown - published 1790-1791 (0.2 MB) • Словарь Тлингитского, Эякского и Алютикского языков (Word-Lists of the Tlingit, Eyak and Alutiiq Languages)by Alexander Baranov - manuscript 1812 (0.1 MB) • Словарь языков Русской Аляски (Word-Lists of the Languages of Russian Alaska)by Ferdinand von Wrangell & Michael Nosov - published 1839 (0.4 MB) • Замечания о Колошенском и Кадьякском языках (Observations about the Tlingit & Kodiak Languages)by St. Innocent (Veniaminov) - published 1846 (0.4 MB) • Опыт Грамматики Алеутско-Лисьевскаго языка (Grammatical Outline of the Fox Island (Eastern) Aleut Language)by St. Innocent (Veniaminov) - published 1846 • Словарь Атабаскских, Юпикских и Алютикского языков (Word-Lists of the Athabaskan, Yup'ik and Alutiiq Languages)by Laurence Zagoskin - published 1847 (0.3 MB) • Поучения Говоренныя в Новоархангельском Соборе на Острове Ситхе (Teachings Spoken in the New Arkhangelsk Cathedral on Sitka Island)by Bishop Peter (Ekaterinovsky) - published 1865 (1.5 MB) • Иннокентий - Митрополит Московский и Коломенский (Innocent - Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna)According to His Writings, Letters, and Stories of His Contemporaries by Ivan Barsukov - published 1883 • Жизнь Валаамскаго Монаха Германа, Американскаго Миссионера (The Life of Monk Herman of Valaam, American Missionary)by Valaam Monastery - published 1894 (0.3 MB) • Очерк из Истории Американской Православной Духовной Миссии (Description of the History of the American Orthodox Spiritual Mission)from the Kodiak Mission 1794-1837 by Valaam Monastery - published 1894 • Проповеди Преосвященнаго Николая, Епископа Алеутскаго и Аляскинскаго (Sermons of Right-Reverend Nicholas, Bishop of the Aleutians & Alaska)Alaskan selections: 1892-1894 by Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov) - published 1897 (0.2 MB) • Американские Проповеди, с Приложением Пяти Посланий (American Sermons & Epistles)Alaskan selections: 1897-1898 by Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov) - published 1902 (0.4 MB) • Святитель Тихон на Аляске: Четыре Проповеди (Saint Tikhon in Alaska: Four Sermons)Alaskan selections: 1899-1901 by St. Tikhon (Bellavin) - published 1899, 1901 (0.2 MB) • Миссионер Монах Герман Missionary Monk HermanSelection from "Russian Ascetics of the 19th Century" by E. Poselyanin - published 1901, 1910 (0.1 MB) • Преподобный Герман Аляскинский - Жизнеописание (Venerable Herman of Alaska - A Biography)by Sergei Korsun - published 2002 Books in Serbian / српски: • Православна А. З. Мисија у Америци (An Overview of the Orthodox Christian Mission in America)With descriptions of Alaskan Orthodox Church life in the late 19th century by Fr. Sebastian Dabovich - published 1896 (0.2 MB) • Путоказ за Царство Небеско - Катихизис (The Indication of the Pathway into the Kingdom of Heaven)by St. Innocent (Veniaminov), translated by Mladen Stankovich - published 2008 |
| Links |
    • Orthodox Diocese of Alaska(Orthodox Church in America) • Alaska's Virtual Library & Digital Archives (search: Orthodox) • The Russian Church & Native Alaskan Cultures (U.S. Library of Congress exhibit) • National Historic Landmarks of Russian America (U.S. National Park Service) • St. Herman Theological Seminary • Outreach Alaska • Rossia Inc. - Russian Orthodox Sacred Sites in Alaska This project, digitizing original Alaskan Orthodox materials, was blessed in 2005 by the Bishop of the Archdiocese of Canada (OCA), and by the Bishop of the Diocese of Alaska (OCA). Many thanks to V. Rev. Paul Merculief, V. Rev. Martin Nicolai, V. Rev. Michael Oleksa, and to the staff at the Alaska State Library and Alaska Native Language Center (UAF) for their continual availability for linguistic consultation. Many thanks to the following organizations for their goodwill and moral support: KNBA 90.3 FM (Anchorage), Aleut Story - The Film, Ounalashka Corporation, Alutiiq Musuem and Phill & Desirée Lekanof's blogspot photo exposé of life on St. George Island, Alaska Native Knowledge Network, NativeWeb, Native American Language Net, Omniglot.com, Mitrophan Chin's Orthodox Resources, Orthodoxy Today: Commentary on Social and Moral Issues, Orthodox Christian Information Center and Road to Emmaus - A Journal of Orthodox Faith & Culture.    |
