Irkutsk, Russia, July 27, 2026
Photo: odosa.org
A group of seminarian-pilgrims from St. Herman Orthodox Theological Seminary in Alaska is currently on pilgrimage to Irkutsk, Russia, the home region of St. Innocent, the great missionary to America.
The seminarians arrived safely in Irkutsk on July 25, for a pilgrimage of prayer, spiritual formation, and pastoral learning, reports the OCA Diocese of Sitka and Alaska.
The Orthodox Church in America traces its missionary origins to Alaska, where the Orthodox faith was planted through the labors of St. Herman and the first missionaries and was preserved and handed down by generations of Alaska Native clergy, readers, singers, and faithful.
Irkutsk holds particular significance within this history. St. Innocent, Enlightener of Alaska and Apostle to America, was born in the Irkutsk region, studied at the Irkutsk Theological Seminary, and served as a priest in the city before departing in 1823 with his family for missionary service in Unalaska. There he learned the local language, translated Scripture and other sacred texts, built churches, trained local leaders, and devoted himself to preaching the Gospel.
Photo: odosa.org
The current pilgrimage follows, in a small way, that historic missionary path in reverse, with seminarians being formed for service in Alaska traveling to the land from which St. Innocent departed for the Aleutian Islands. During their stay in the Irkutsk Diocese, the seminarians will take part in divine services, venerate holy sites, visit parishes and monasteries, and learn about the pastoral, educational, and charitable ministries of the local Church. They will also meet with clergy, seminarians, teachers, and Orthodox young people of the diocese.
The trip follows the visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Maximilian of Irkutsk to the Diocese of Alaska and St. Herman Seminary last autumn, which opened the way for continued exchange between the two dioceses. A similar pilgrimage to Irkutsk was also led by His Eminence Archbishop Alexei of Sitka and All Alaska in 2024.
Abp. Alexei said that by visiting the places connected with St. Innocent and experiencing the life of the Church in Irkutsk, the seminarians can better understand the missionary inheritance they are being formed to continue, and expressed hope that they will return to Alaska strengthened in faith and pastoral understanding.
The Diocese of Alaska expressed gratitude to Met. Maximilian and the clergy, monastics, seminarians, and faithful of the Irkutsk Diocese for hosting the pilgrims. The diocese asked the faithful to remember the seminarians and their hosts in prayer, that the pilgrimage may be safe and spiritually fruitful for the future ministry of the Orthodox Church in Alaska.
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