Russian Influence



Sitka and Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Today we visited the Russian Orthodox Parish in Sitka, a Cathedral of significant historic interest.  The Cathedral is filled with many sacred icons sent from Russia by wealthy patrons when the Cathedral was first built in 1844, a time when Alaska was under the control of Russia.  

St Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Sitka 

The Cathedral was founded and designed by Father Veniaminov with funding from the Russian-American Co. whose chief manager was Alexander Baranof.   


Interior of Sitka's Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Unfortunately the original Cathedral burned to the ground in 1966 but many of the relics were saved.  

Communion Chalice used by Veniaminov

A replica of the church based on the original blueprints was completed in 1976 on the original site.  

Russian Bishop's House (1842), Sitka

Located nearby is the restored original Russian Bishop’s House built in 1842 by the Russian-American Co. as a residence for the bishop of the Orthodox Church, it’s the oldest intact Russian building in Sitka.  

A wealth of Russian Orthodox Icons in the Cathedral

Father Veniaminov was its first resident.  Today there are nearly 90 Orthodox parishes in Alaska, the highest concentration of the Orthodox church in America among the states, a testament to the Russian influence.  

Archangel, Winged Protector, Sitka Cathedral

We also visited Castle Hill, an early stronghold of the Tlingit Kiksadi Clan.  

Worn by Veniaminov Mid-1800's

A succession of Russian buildings were later constructed on Castle Hill including “Baranof’s Castle” in 1867.  

This is the very site where the transfer of Alaska to the United States took place.  

Cathedral seen from Castle Hill

None of the buildings on Castle Hill remain today, but the views from this vantage point are stunning.  A set of stone stairs leads to the top of the Hill.



Looking Southwest from Castle Hill

Stairs leading to Castle Hill