The Institute for Bible Translation has released a new illustrated bilingual edition of the Book of Ruth in the Even language, marking another milestone in its long-term effort to make Scripture accessible to the Indigenous peoples of Russia’s Far North. The translation was prepared with the blessing of Archbishop Roman of Yakutsk and Lensk and continues a decades-long tradition of biblical publishing for the Even people.

Previous Even-language publications include Selections from the Gospel of Luke (1995), the full Gospel of Luke (2001), Stories from the Holy Scriptures (2018), and Gospel Parables (2019).

Although one of the shortest books in the Old Testament, the Book of Ruth holds profound theological importance, telling the story of the Moabite woman whose steadfast loyalty to God and family placed her in the lineage of King David—and ultimately in the genealogy of Christ.

The new edition features the Even text prepared by M. N. Taishina and R. P. Kuzmina alongside a parallel Russian translation. The book is adorned with traditional Even ornamentation and artwork by M. P. Adamova. It also includes an Even–Russian glossary and a map of biblical locations. The print run consists of 300 copies, and a digital version will soon be available on the Institute’s website in the electronic publications section.

According to the Yakutsk Diocese, Archbishop Roman met with the translation team in July 2025 to review their work. After approving the Book of Ruth manuscript, he blessed the start of their next major project—the translation of the Book of Job—presenting the translators with icons of the Holy New Martyr Eugene Zernov as a sign of support and blessing.

The Even language, part of the Tungusic-Manchu family, is spoken by roughly 5,000 people across the coasts of the Sea of Okhotsk and in regions including Chukotka, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk Krai, Magadan Oblast, and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The Evens are considered one of the most Christianized Indigenous groups in Siberia, with widespread conversion beginning in the 18th century. By the early 19th century, most Evens were Orthodox Christians. Father Stefan Popov created the first church-based Even alphabet and translated the Gospel of Matthew, a catechism, and prayers into Even. Historical sources note that veneration of icons, home prayer, and celebration of church feasts persisted among the Evens even during the persecutions of the 20th century.

As of 2020–2021, the majority of Evens live in Yakutia, with about 1,505 residing in the regional capital of Yakutsk and several dozen to several hundred living in various ulus districts. Even communities are spread across thirteen municipalities, including Abyysky, Allaikhovsky, Bulunsky and Verkhnekolymsky districts.