In 1794, the first Orthodox missionary monks arrived at Kodiak to find what they believed would be an indigenous Orthodox Church in the New World. They recognized as integral to their mission the defense of Native people who were being abused, exploited and enslaved by an unjust regime. The mission understood its function in cosmic terms: to sanctify, here and now, this land, these people, and bring them to the unity-in-love which is the goal of authentic Christian mission.
The history of the Alaskan Church confirms the eternal and indestructible character of the Church's vision, integrating into her worship the cosmic, scriptural and eschatological dimension of faith. Among the Native Americans in Alaska, Orthodoxy has become an integral part of an authentically American culture. Consequently it is appropriate that an Orthodox theology of mission should originate from the Alaskan context. If an American Orthodox missiology is to emerge, its formulation should serve not only the Church in America but contribute to the clarification of Orthodox theology for the universal Church as well.
252 pages; 6 x 9 inches
About the Author: The Reverend Dr. Michael James Oleksa, born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, was educated at Georgetown University, St. Vladimir's Seminary, and the Orthodox Theological Faculty of Prague. He spent nearly a half-century serving as parish priest, seminary dean, and chancellor of the Diocese of Alaska, and as representative of the Orthodox Church in America to various conferences and consultations of the World Council of Churches. He resided in retirement in Anchorage with his Yup'ik wife, Xenia, and taught part time at Alaska Pacific University and North Star Behavioral Hospital. He reposed in 2023.