St. Pachomius Library

St. Germanus of Alaska

English/Ukrainian HERMAN; Russian GERMAN
XVIII/XIX Centuries
St. Herman was a monk of Valaam. He was part of the missionary team led by Archimandrite Joasaph which was sent to Kodiak, Alaska, in 1793. He eventually choose to live as an hermit on Spruce Island. He had excellent relations with the Aleuts, and his attempts to stop the Russian-American Fur Company from exploiting them made him a target of persecution by the colonial authorities. He died in relative obscurity in 1836, but the Aleuts kept his memory alive, and he was the first "American" saint to be formally canonised.
Norman Hugh Redington

ABOUT:
- The Life of St. Herman of Alaska. --- Pravoslavie.Ru
- A Life of St. Herman of Alaska. --- Fr. Alexander
- Ikon with Scenes. Includes full written explanation. --- Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Meriden, CT
- Another Ikon with Scenes. Click on details for full written explanation. --- Icon Wall
- Akathist Hymn to St. Herman. PDF file. --- OCA Diocese of Alaska
- Photos from the Glorification of St. Herman of Alaska. --- Orthodox Photos
- Fr. Thomas Hopko: The Message of St. Herman. --- OCADOS
TEACHINGS:
- From the Treasury of St. Herman's Spirituality. --- Fr. Alexander
- A Monk of Valaam: The Russian Orthodox Religious Mission in America, 1794-1837, (1894). Translated by Colin Bearne. Kingston, Ont.: Limestone, 1978. Also includes extensive correspondence by or about St. Herman, and the writings of Fr. Gideon.

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