• the faith that Peter and Paul and the Apostles established in Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Greece, Rome, Europe, Africa and Asia was brought to Russian America – Alaska (on Kodiak Island) over 200 years ago by eight Russian Orthodox monks,
• this faith was then spread by the courageous efforts of Russian and Native men & women who braved cold, hunger and dangerous seas, and
• this faith was established with the blood of martyrs on American soil over 200 years ago?

• there are as many as 5 million people in America and 300 million in the world who call themselves Orthodox Christians,
• Orthodoxy is one of the fastest growing Christian professions of faith in the world, and
• an average of over 2,000 people per day visit Orthodox churches in Alaska during the summer months?

• to provide visitors with an introduction to the history of Orthodoxy in Alaska,
• to highlight places to see and major events throughout the state of Alaska, and
• to provide information on transportation, places to stay and things to do while visiting Alaska.

In the 2005 Orthodox Alaska Visitor and Pilgrim’s Guide, we will be highlighting several communities where there is already a well-established tradition of visitors to historic Orthodox sites (here is a small sample of what the guide will contain): Samples of Visitor's Guide


How do we plan to distribute and promote the use of the guide?

• Sources of inquiries:
• North Star Magazine readership (currently over 7,500)
• Inquiry lists from local Chambers & Visitors’ centers in Sitka, Kodiak, Kenai Peninsula, Unalaska, and Anchorage, … (approximately 500-1,000 per week)
• Advertisements in other Visitor’s Guides and Alaska magazines
• Advertisements in Orthodox periodicals and conferences in the lower 48
• Orthodox Alaska, Russian Orthodox Diocese of Alaska, local Chambers’ and other Orthodox websites in the lower 48
• Coordination with various tour agencies and cruise lines
• Distribution centers:
• Available to those visiting Orthodox churches, museums and bookstores throughout the state
• Distributed to Chambers and Visitors’ centers in the local communities
• Distributed to airports, train stations and ferry terminals
• Bottom line – we will distribute at least 15,000 and more likely 30,000 in the first year

• Access to, as yet, untapped sources of visitors to Alaska
• Statewide visibility at a modest price
• Work with experienced printer – Print Works (over a decade of experience supporting tourism businesses in the state of Alaska, designer and distributor of Kenai Peninsula Discovery Guide and the 2005 Homer Visitor’s Guide)
• Opportunity to share in the rich history and heritage of Alaska!