A refurbishing effort will breathe new life into Anchorage’s oldest standing building, a simple Russian Orthodox log church dating from the era of Russia’s colonization of Alaska.
The old St. Nicholas Church stands in Eklutna, Alaska, on Oct. 12, 2023. A three-year restoration effort began Oct. 13, with the removal of the bell tower.
The Dena’ina Athabascan tribe supports the restoration and some tribal members turned out on a recent October day to watch the removal of the bell tower and to reminisce. “There’s a long history of the Dena’ina, in Eklutna in particular, taking care of the church and trying to maintain it,” said Aaron Leggett, president and chairman of the Native Village of Eklutna’s tribal council. “There aren’t that many Russian Orthodox followers , 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. Today, up to 50,000 Alaskans practice the Orthodox faith. Icons and other religious artifacts are seen inside the old St. Nicholas Church in Eklutna, Alaska, on Oct. 13, 2023. A restoration effort has begun on the church, which is the oldest standing building in the Municipality of Anchorage.
“The Russians did not try to Russify the natives,” said the Rev. Deacon Thomas Rivas, the episcopal secretary to the Alaska Orthodox bishop. “They’re very much the inheritors of the faith and they’re the inheritors of the land, even though it was given to the church in stewardship.”
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Anchorage's oldest building, a Russian Orthodox church, gets new life in restoration projectA refurbishing effort will breathe new life into Anchorage’s oldest standing building, a simple Russian Orthodox log church dating from the era of Russia’s colonization of Alaska.
Leer más »
Anchorage's oldest building, a Russian Orthodox church, gets new life in restoration projectA refurbishing effort will breathe new life into Anchorage’s oldest standing building, a simple Russian Orthodox log church dating from the era of Russia’s colonization of Alaska
Leer más »
Anchorage’s oldest building, a Russian Orthodox church, gets new life in restoration projectAn extensive, three-year restoration project that began this month is bringing more attention to the tiny church that is a window into a complex, and often-forgotten, chapter of Alaska’s unique history.
Leer más »
The steps needed to reshuffle the Middle East deck amid Israel-Hamas warRemains of Orthodox church hit by Israeli air strike
Leer más »
Live blog: Ukrainian drone struck Russian nuclear waste facilityRussia-Ukraine war enters its 612th day.
Leer más »
Russian military suffered 4,000 casualties in fight for Avdiivka, UkraineToday's Video Headlines: 10/28/23
Leer más »