Homily for the Feast of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, Enlightener of the Aleuts, and Apostle to the Americas

Homily given at St. Mark of Ephesus, Kingston, MA 10/6/24

The second Gospel read today, from the Gospel of St. John (John 10:9-16), is read when we commemorate a hierarch. Today is the Glorification of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, Enlightener of the Aleuts, Apostle to North America, and thus we heard these words of Christ describing a true shepherd. St. Innocent was a truly remarkable hierarch, a true pastor, and a model of Orthodox evangelism. His story is especially dear to us in North America, as we count him as one of North American saints. When we hear the story of his life, we might wonder— how could someone accomplish such things? Yet it is not from his own strength, determination, or intelligence alone; indeed, St. Innocent stands as an example for us because he lived to the fullest the words of the Gospel, and he followed in the path of the Apostles, fulfilling the words of St. Paul that we heard today, as he pursued a life in which “the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

In the Gospel from St. John, our lord Jesus Christ describes how the true shepherd lays down his life for his flock. In John’s Gospel, we often hear this metaphoric language, where Christ says I am the good shepherd, or “I am” the true vine. Christ uses these comparisions to things familiar to us, so that we better comprehend the meaning. The Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep. In other words, the good shepherd, the one charged with keeping the flock safe, is concerned not with his own welfare, but his only concern is that of his sheep. His life is consumed entirely with the care for others. This indeed is the definition of a shepherd, and likewise of one who oversees others— for this is the very definition of a bishop, in Greek an episcopos, one who watches (scopos) over. Just as the shepherd watches over his sheep, the bishop watches over his people. You may have noticed that a hierarch wears a distinct vestment over his other vestments, or you may see this in icons, what is called the omophorion. This represents the bishop’s responsibility as chief shepherd, a very icon of Christ, who bears on this shoulders his flock. As a side note, observe that the bishop also dons first an epitrachelion, just as a priest, because this garment is common to all those ordained to serve— the deacon’s orarion is essentially the same garment, just fashioned differently. These vestments are not just for show, but they carry deep signifance and remind of his the sacred tasks appointed to the clergy, following in the footseps of the apostles.

St. Innocent is a clear example of how the way of the apostles was not limited to the early days of the Church, but has continued, and continues even now. St. Innocent, whose name was John Popov-Veniaminov before his consecration, was born at the very end of the eighteenth century. His early education and pastoral work took place in Irkutsk, the captial of Eastern Siberia. When he was sent as a missionary priest to Alaska, then part of the Russian Empire, he did not travel alone. He was a married priest; he took this arduous and dangerous journey with his wife, his aging mother, and their son. After arriving at the Aleutian Islands, Father Ioann— as he was known then— began remarkable missionary work. What really stands out is his approach, which was so unlike other missionary efforts in other parts of the world at this time. Like earlier apostles and evangelists in the Orthodox Church, such as Sts. Cyril and Methody, Fr. Ioann brought the Gospel to the native peoples of Alaska in their own language. This was no easy task, since it required that he first learn the native languages. This he did, and he proved himself a superb linguist. He first devised a writing system, then translated portions of the Bible into the primary Aleutian dialect. When Father Ioann was later transfered to Sitka, he undertook the study of the Tlingit language, and even wrote a scholarly study of the native dialects. While other missionaries in other parts of the world at this time were forcing native peoples to abandon their languages and cultures, Fr. Ioann went to great lengths to learn the customs and languages of the native peoples, as a true shepherd caring for his flock.

During a return trip to Russia, his wife Catherine passed away. Fr. Ioann was then tonsured a monk, with the name Innocent; he was soon thereafter consecrated a bishop and sent back to Alaska as their hierarch. St Innocent continued his missionary work; he administered his large and varied diocese, making many missionary journeys, often traveling by kayak. He built many churches and baptized thousands. Even while tirelessly serving his flock, he managed to also take detailed notes on the local flora and fauna of Alaska, and his observations reveal a keen, scientific mind. His translation work and writings brought the Gospels to many and laid a firm foundation of the Church amongst the peoples of Alaska, where the Church continues to thrive— the most recent saint canonized by the Church, Matushka Olga, was a native of Alaska, an heir to these early missionary efforts. St. Innocent’s works are also available to us as well; his “Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heaven: An Introduction to Christian Life” is a great introduction to the faith, since it was written to instruct those new to the faith in the lands of Alaska.

In the last decade of his life, St. Innocent was called back to Russia to become Metropolitan of Moscow. His missionary zeal did not wane; in his new role, he created a Missionary Society, and from this Missionary Society came another saint. Nicholas of Japan, who brought the Orthodox Faith to Japan. St. Innocent died in 1879, and we celebrate his memory on multiple occasions; March 31, the day of his repose; today, the date when he was Glorified (meaning he was formally recognized as a saint by the Church), and on the feasts of the saints of North America.

In the Gospel we heard from St. Luke today, we heard how the crowd reacted to the great miracle of Christ by crying out “God has visited His people” (Luke 7:16) God continues to visit his people, as he raises up Saints to spread the Gospel and to show by their way of life what it means to follow Christ. Sometimes the miracles of Christ can seem distant, like events that happened long ago in far away places. Yet these saints who are close to us, living in recent times and ministering in North America, remind us that God continues to visit His people. Let us look to St. Innocent as a model in how we follow Christ; through his prayers, may the light of faith continue to enlighten those searching for the truth.