St. Innocent
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St. Innocent was born in the province of Irkutsk where he received his theological training. After ordination to the priesthood, he volunteered for a mission to the Aleutian Islands. There he was successful in building churches, in conversions among the native population, and spent much of his time travelling across great distances through severe climate conditions to spread the gospel. He also translated the gospel of St. Matthew into the Fox Aleut language (he is shown here with that gospel) along with liturgical texts. He was then sent to serve in Sitka. He eventually realized the need for a more permanent mission to America and the need for a deanery under a diocesan bishop. He continued travelling throughout his diocese, despite the hardships of travel in such remote locations. He also continued translating texts for the natives under his care. After the death of his wife, he was made bishop and was able to oversee the expansion of the American Mission. Eventually he was made Metropolitan of Moscow. For more information on St. Innocent's life. read St. Innocent: Apostle to America, written by my father, Paul D. Garrett.
The image on the right is a detail from a mural of the American Orthodox Saints commissioned by Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church (OCA) in Monongahela PA.
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