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[ xiii.d ] Although a Russian presence was first established in Alaska in 1741, it was only in 1794 that a small group of monks arrived in the province from the Valaam Monastery in Karelia. From the start the Russo-American Company officials persecuted the monks for their direct support of the oppressed natives. In spite of opposition missionary work was extended. Inokenty Veniaminov (d. 1879) and Jacob Netsvetov devised Aleut and Tlingit alphabets, translated Christian texts and sought to preserve native cultures. Having developed a distinct Alaskan identity, the Orthodox community continued to grow even after the separation from Russia in 1867. In 1970 the E astern orthodox church canonized the most outspoken champion of native rights, Herman of Serpukhov (d. 1837). This monk denounced the excesses of the governor, Baranov, and fearlessly continued to preach to the natives from his Spruce Island hermitage. In 1935 another hermit, Gerasim Schmaltz (d. 1969), revived the Spruce Island mission. [26; 29; 62; 80; 99] ( see also N ew martyrs ; S aloi ) ... log in or subscribe to read full text