The Kuigpak Mission: the Spread of Orthodoxy Deep into the North American Continent

The article is devoted to one of the little-studied pages in the history of Russian America – the activities of Orthodox missionaries in the region of the Yukon (Kuigpak) and Kuskokwim Rivers. The spiritual and educational work of the Kuigpak missionaries was invaluable for Russian America and the Russian Orthodox Church, because thanks to their efforts, Orthodoxy penetrated deep into mainland Alaska and became stronger in the souls and way of life of the Native Americans and Eskimos of the northwest of mainland Alaska. The article reveals the features of spiritual and educational work in the Kuigpak region, which hindered and contributed to the penetration of Orthodoxy deep into the North American continent. Special attention is paid to examining the missionary works of Archpriest Jacob Netsvetov, Priest Gregory Golovin, Hieromonk Hilarion. This article was written on the basis of a report presented at the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference “Empire and Church” (March 12–13, 2020), organized by the Historical Society of St. Petersburg Theological Academy.