The Harvest is Great and the Laborers are Few (Father John Nedzelnitsky’s Report on the New York Deanery of the Aleutian and Alaskan Diocese in 1898)

Abstract

The published document is a report on the New York Deanery of the Aleutian and Alaskan Diocese in 1898 submitted by the Dean John Nedzelnitsky to Bishop Tikhon (Bellavin). It is deposited in the Library of Congress Manuscript Division as a part of Alaskan Russian Church Archives (Cont. D 452–453, New York, N.Y. Nedzelnitskii, John, 1896–1899). Father Nedzelnitsky (1866–1946) is not widely known thus the paper provides his short biography. The Dean John Nedzelinsky was a dedicated Russian Orthodox missionary whose observations are a valuable source for the study of history of Russian Church in America. The document provides a vivid picture of the Russian Church activities in continental United States during the period of its rapid development due to influx of many new converts from Austria-Hungarian empire. The report has a traditional structure and follows the instructions issued by Bishop Tikhon. It touches upon all major aspects of managing the Diocese and runs about its activities and troubles in a frank and realistic manner. It can be seen from the report that in the given period the issues a Diocese was facing could be solved through reorganizing its management and far-sighted recruitment and allocation policy, with the key role of an honest and laborious person to be in charge of its further implementation. Moreover, the document gives a picture of the period as seen by two distinguished Orthodox missionaries since the report also contains interesting recommendations on the church activities that were later adopted by Bishop Tikhon. Tikhon’s own commentary and notes accompanying the report are of special interest revealing his colorful and engaging personality (in the text of the publication they are given in square brackets). The publication is unabridged and is provided by the introduction and reference information, including an estimate of the report’s significance for further research in the field.