Please Consider Supporting Us This PFD Season!

Donate when you apply for your PFD!

Project Funding0%

$17,000 Pledged

of our 2022 goal of $800,000

8 backers

Donate Now

Please Consider Supporting Us This PFD Season!

Donate when you apply for your PFD!

Russian Orthodox Sacred Sites in Alaska (ROSSIA) is dedicated to the preservation of Alaska’s Russian Orthodox Churches and iconography

Alaska’s Russian-American history has a lasting impression with more than 35 historic churches throughout the state. Seven churches are listed as National Historic Landmarks, our nation’s highest honor for historic buildings. Twenty-eight are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Our Mission

Started in 2002 by preservation-minded Alaska Native corporation leaders, Orthodox clergy, government officials, architects, and historians, ROSSIA has helped initiate several restoration projects over the past 18 years. Our mission is to preserve Alaska’s historic Russian Orthodox churches and the historic articles and furnishings therein.

 

Meet our Board

rossia2
rossia3
rossia1

Exciting News!

The National Park Service and Department of the Interior recently announced the distribution of $1,395,234 from the Historic Preservation Fund for the State of Alaska. ROSSIA has been awarded a $350,000 grant to restore the Old St. Nicholas Church in Eklutna which was built ca. 1870.

 

Work will begin this summer!

Seeking Volunteers

Donating money isn’t the only way to support ROSSIA’s restoration and preservation work. We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds to our work projects – no construction experience required. Construction experience not required hammer, reroof, chisel, repair, replace, paint, and sand historic buildings back to life. No previous construction experience is required – just a positive attitude and strong work ethic

Labor

Tools

Construction expertise

Local Engagement, International Reach

Our Alaskan communities face tough choices as it is often more costly to restore a historic building than to build a newer, simpler, often less elegant, house of worship. ROSSIA works closely with local communities to encourage them to preserve their original structure and a prominent story of Alaska’s history. Individuals, Native corporations, and foundations are being approached for assistance in what promises to be a multi-million dollar campaign.

Maecenas tempus, tellus eget condimentum rhon

Amet adipiscing sem neque sed ipsum

Tellus eget condimentum rhon cus. Blandit vel.

Our Top Priority
in 2020: Fire suppression for Holy Ascension Cathedral and historical Bishop’s House in Unalaska, Alaska

Together with the Holy Ascension parish and the community of Unalaska, we have plans to complete historic renovations on the Bishop’s House and install a similar hi-fog mist fire suppression system in the Cathedral. The Cathedral houses some of Alaska’s oldest and most sacred icons, and it is our pleasure to launch a project that would ensure the preservation of the property, a National Historic Landmark, in the event of a fire.

Be the first to know about ROSSIA events, projects, and volunteer opportunities!

Enter your email address below and stay engaged with our ongoing activities and preservation opportunities.

    The History of Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska

    Russia laid claim to Alaska in 1741, following Vitus Bering’s pioneer voyage across the Pacific from Siberia.

    90

    Russian Orthodox
    Churches in
    Alaska

    7

    Orthodox Churches
    listed as National Historic
    Landmarks

    Understand Russian History in Alaska

    We thank the following supporters