Jacob Netsvetov facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Jacob Netsvetov
Enlightener of Alaska
Born	1802 Atka Island, Alaska, Russia
Died	July 26, 1864 Sitka, Alaska, Russia
Canonized	Oct 1994, Saint Innocent Cathedral Anchorage Alaska by Orthodox Church in America
Feast	July 26

Saint Jacob Netsvetov was an important religious leader from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. He became a priest in the Orthodox Church and continued the work of another famous saint, Innocent of Alaska. Jacob Netsvetov helped spread Christianity among the native people of Alaska. His special day, called a feast day, is celebrated every year on July 26.

Who Was Jacob Netsvetov?

Jacob Netsvetov was born in 1802 on Atka Island, which is part of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. He was the oldest of four children who survived past infancy. His father, Yegor Vasil'evich Netsvetov, was from Tobolsk, Russia, and worked as a manager for the Russian-American Company. His mother, Maria Alekscevna, was an Aleut woman from Atka Island.

Jacob's younger siblings were Osip (Joseph), Elena, and Antony. Jacob went to the Irkutsk Theological Seminary when he was young to study religion. His brothers, Osip and Antony, studied at the St. Petersburg Naval Academy. Osip became a naval officer, and Antony became a ship builder. His sister Elena married a clerk from the Russian-American Company.

Becoming a Priest

On October 1, 1825, Jacob Netsvetov became a sub-deacon, which is a step towards becoming a priest. He married Anna Simeonovna, a Russian woman who might have also been of Creole background, like him. In 1826, he finished his studies at the seminary, earning certificates in history and theology.

After graduating, he was ordained as a deacon on October 31, 1826. He was assigned to a church in Irkutsk. Two years later, on March 4, 1828, Archbishop Michael ordained Netsvetov as a priest. He was the very first native Alaskan to become a priest! Archbishop Michael had also ordained John Veniaminov (who later became Saint Innocent) as a priest. Once Jacob became a priest, he really wanted to go back to his home in Alaska to share his faith.

Journey to Alaska

Before leaving, Archbishop Michael gave Netsvetov two special cloths called antimensia. One was for the new church Netsvetov planned to build on Atka Island. The other was for his travels as a missionary.

After a special prayer service, Netsvetov and his group started their journey to Alaska on May 1, 1828. The group included Netsvetov, his wife Anna, and his father Yegor, who had become a reader for the new Atka Church. Their journey took over a year, and they finally arrived in Atka on June 15, 1829.

Work on Atka Island

Netsvetov’s new church parish on Atka covered many islands and lands around the Bering Sea. This included places like Amchitka, Attu, Copper, Bering, and the Kurile Islands. Netsvetov was able to speak two languages and understood two cultures. This helped him connect with the many different people in the community.

While the St. Nicolas Church was being built, Netsvetov used a large tent for church services. He continued to use the tent even after the church was finished, so he could preach in faraway places. By the end of 1829, just six months after arriving at Atka, Netsvetov had performed many religious services. He recorded 16 baptisms, 442 chrismations (a blessing with oil), 53 marriages, and eight funerals.

After the church on Atka was completed, Netsvetov focused on educating the children. He taught them to read and write both Russian and Unangan Aleut. At first, the Russian-American Company helped support the school. But in 1841, it became a parish school run by the church. Many of his students later became important Aleut leaders.

Netsvetov also helped collect fish and marine animal samples for museums in Moscow and St. Petersburg. He wrote letters to Saint Innocent about languages and translating. He worked on an alphabet for the Unangan-Aleut language and translated parts of the Holy Scriptures and other church books. Saint Innocent praised his work, and Netsvetov began to receive awards for his service. Over time, he was promoted to Archpriest and received the Order of St. Anna.

New Mission and Challenges

In March 1836, Netsvetov’s wife Anna died. Then, in July of the same year, his home was destroyed in a fire. His father, Yegor, also passed away in 1837. After these sad events, he asked his bishop if he could return to Irkutsk and become a monastic (a monk). His request was approved a year later, but only if a replacement priest arrived. However, the church never sent anyone to replace him.

On December 30, 1844, Saint Innocent appointed Netsvetov to lead a new mission called the Kvikhpak Mission. This mission was located along the Yukon River. Netsvetov moved there with his nephew Vasili Netsvetov and two young assistants. He set up his main base in the Yup'ik village of Ikogmiute, which is now known as the Russian Mission.

From this base, he traveled hundreds of miles along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers. He visited many settlements along the way. For the next twenty years, he learned new languages, met new people and cultures, created another alphabet, and built more churches and communities. Native leaders invited him to travel as far as the Innoko River. He baptized hundreds of people from many tribes that used to be unfriendly towards each other. He continued his work even as his health got worse.

In 1863, an assistant made false accusations against him. To clear his name, his Bishop Peter called him to Sitka. There, he was found innocent of all charges. As his health continued to decline, he stayed in Sitka and served at the Tlingit chapel until he passed away on July 26, 1864. He was 60 years old. Netsvetov was buried at the entrance to the chapel.

During his last missionary journeys in the Kuskokwim/Yukon delta area, he is remembered for baptizing 1,320 people. He is also known for being a great evangelizer (someone who spreads religious teachings) among the Yup'ik and Athabascan peoples.

See also

• Herman of Alaska
• Peter the Aleut