The life of Saint Herman of Alaska, our Patron, carries with it spiritual food for us all! If we take to heart the example of Saint Herman, our lives, and the lives of many who surround us, can be changed, and we can be moved to repentance and love for the Lord.
We know him as Saint Herman. But this is an Anglicized form of the Slavonic 'German' (hard G, as in 'go'). In his youth, Saint Herman accepted monastic tonsure at the Trinity-Sergius monastery, which is located near to the coast of Finland. While still a novice there, he developed a severe illness, a swelling which could not be healed. And at this young age, Herman resigned himself to the fact that he was dying. In a dream, the Mother of God appeared to him, and after this, his condition simply vanished. This event so moved the young man that it served as an inspiration for that which God would accomplish through him for the rest of his life.
From this monastery, Saint Herman moved to the monastery at Valaam. He had a wonderful tenor voice that would fill the chapel during divine services. Saint Herman and Saint Seraphim of Sarov were both disciples of the Igumen Nazarius at Valaam. At this time, Patriarch Gabriel chose ten monks to make the journey to Alaska to be missionaries to the native people there, and Saint Herman was among that group.
The islands of Alaska were even more bleak and conditions more severe than even in Siberia. Here, Saint Herman and the group labored among the natives, teaching them the faith, building schools, churches, an orphanage. Over the course of the forty years that Saint Herman lived here, the ten original missionaries dwindled through attrition, some returning to Russia, most dying in their labors, until only Saint Herman remained.
Who can number his spiritual gifts? By his faith and prayers, a tidal wave was stopped before it could harm his beloved people. A forest fire that threatened the same people was stopped by his labors and prayers. When an epidemic struck, it was Saint Herman who labored to heal those who could be healed, and to comfort those whom the Lord would take to be with Him. People would come to his cell for spiritual instruction, and Saint Herman would speak with such people until all hours of the night. When invited to go to speak with people, he would not eat of their food. If he had to remain overnight for some reason, the bed prepared for him by loving followers would not be slept in. He took from no one, but gave all he had to all who had need. Animals of the forest and even bears would eat from his hand.
Saint Herman never returned to his homeland, but died and was buried as he foretold and as he desired at his new home, which he named "New Valaam" in honor of the warm memories that he retained of his beginnings.
Blessed Father Herman of Alaska,
North-star of Christ's Holy Church,
The light of your holy life and great deeds
Guides those who follow the Orthodox way.
Together we lift high the holy Cross
You planted firmly in America.
Let all behold and glorify Jesus Christ,
Singing His holy Resurrection!
The prayer that we use to close the Akathist is a good place to honor our patron.
Most wondrous,
favorite of God, our venerable Father Herman, as a good laborer you did your
great spiritual work in a harsh climate in this land. In your service to God,
you were faithful in the little things. And, as the Lord said: “You have been
faithful over a little, I will set you over much.” (Matt XXV, 24) Now, when
this word has been fulfilled in you, the Lord has set you over our Holy
Community as her heavenly protector. We call to you in fervent prayer: Entreat
the Lord to keep our Holy
Church
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