News Release
News Release Date: June 11, 2026
Contact:
Sitka Media Team
Ford will present a lecture on St. Innocent Veniaminov, an influential figure in the history of Russian America and the development of Orthodox Christianity in Alaska. The presentation will explore Veniaminov’s life and work, including his contributions as a missionary, scholar, linguist, and church leader during the Russian colonial period.
Veniaminov, later canonized as St. Innocent by the Russian Orthodox Church, served in Alaska during the nineteenth century and remains a significant historical figure in Sitka and throughout the North Pacific region.
The presentation is part of the park’s ongoing public lecture series, which highlights scholarly and historical topics connected to the cultural heritage of Southeast Alaska.
Last updated: June 11, 2026