As is our usual custom, Bishop Benjamin, clergy and faithful from the Bay Area gathered at Fort Ross to celebrate Independence Day. Fort Ross was part of a fairly substantial Russian colony which was set up in 1812 to provide furs and agricultural goods needed by the Russian America Company in Alaska. The population of the fort consisted of Russian military personnel, and both Aleuts and Creoles. The Russians harvested redwoods and planted an orchard and gardens. Cattle were also an important part of the settlement. The fort was also a point of contact with the local Native Californian Indians.

Following the Liturgy, there was a cross procession to the nearby Russian cemetery where a panikhida was served for those who rest there.

The services of the day were followed by a picnic and the firing of two of the four cannons in honor of the day.

The fort is presently a state park and national historic site (www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=449). The fort consists of a wooden stockade and several buildings, one of which is a chapel. The fort chapel was served by military chaplains for most of its brief history. St. Innocent visited the fort during a visit to California. The financial crisis in the State of California will force the closing of the fort in September. We do hope to continue our tradition of visiting Fort Ross each year on the 4th of July which dates back to the 30’s.