Let's back up a bit to when Alaska was owned by Russia. Alexander Baranov was born in 1747 and became the reason why Alaska flourished in the 18th century under Russian rule. The story goes that Baranov, a merchant, sailed to Kodiak Island in 1790 and saw the potential for a fur trade (sea otters to name the main source). Then, in 1799, Tsar Paul I approved the formation of the Russian-American Company, bascially a trade company with the rest of the world, and specifically China. Alaska flourished, and Baranov introduced modern days to its natives, built schools, encouraged intermarriage with Alaskan Natives, and encouraged the Russian Orthodox Church to come to Alaska. Life was good.
Previous to Tsar Paul I, Catherine the Great ruled Russia, and she wanted the Orthodox Church to have a presence in Alaska, so she sent 10 monks from Valaam Monestary. They arrived in 1794. Herman was one of those monks, and he was the one who lasted through some horrific conditions. I believe he was the only one who lasted. And the Natives loved and respected him. Along with introducing them to the Russian Orthodox Church, he taught reading and writing in the mission school along with catechism, and he taught agriculture on Spruce Island off of Kodiak Island.
Then, Baranov died in 1819 and the Russian military took over the Russian-American Company. It was not a good mix, and all of Baranov's dreams seemed to die out. At the same time, Herman really wants to live the life of a hermit so he retires to Spruce Island, but the Natives love him. Soon they came to the island for Sundays and feast days. Eventually, there was a chapel, and then a school for the orphans.
He was canonized in 1970, and people make pilgrimages to his chapel. There is much more to this story, but that is it in a nutshell.
The coffin where people come to pay homage to St. Herman. If you notice in the far left there are chains that he wore every day for penance.
These are the chains.
Now, returning to Russian history. The Russian-American Company is not doing so good, and in 1853 the Crimean War broke out. It was not a good war for Russia and by this time Alaska was not a good financial territory for Russia because the sea otter trade was basically nil. Because of the Crimean War and the tension between London and Russia, talks started to sell Alaska.
The U.S. Secretary of State William Seward strikes the deal with Russia, and on March 30, 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the U.S. for $7.2 million (about $122 million in today's money, according to Wikipedia). But the Russian religion (Russian Orthodox) and Russian heritage continues in Alaska.
The second part of this tour was to listen to Russian music while we enjoyed Russian tea. (Oh, it is good.)
Dressed in Russian attire, the Kodiak Russian Balalaika Players played music such as Arkan, Basso, and Minka, Minka on their mandolins, balalaikas, bas balalaikas, banduras, and the accordian while we drank Russian Tea.
The tea was so good that I looked up how to make it from Allrecipes.com. When you read the ingredients, you will understand why it is so good. The recipe follows:
In a large bowl, mix:
1 cup instant tea powder 2 cups orange flavored drink (i.e., tang)
2 cups white sugar 1 3-ounce powered lemonade mix
2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Mix thoroughly and store in a sealed jar.
To use, mix 3-4 Tablespoons of mix with 1 cup hot or cold water. Adjust to your liking.
It is good.
The final view in Kodiak was the U.S. Coast Guard station. It is the largest unit in the Coast Guard.
and right across the street from where we were standing to take this picture was a bunker used during WWII.
Great history. Great music, Great tea. Great scenes. In other words, a great day. Kodiak, Alaska.
Until tomorrow...have a great day!
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