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14 Years of Service: 1992-2006
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FIREBIRD Videos, Audios & Books Producers of Educational Materials about the Orthodox Faith and Cultures 14 Years of Service: 1992-2006
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LIFE OFST. HERMAN OF ALASKA
In 1994 the 200th anniversary of Orthodoxy in America was celebrated — the bicentennial of the establishment of a Russian Orthodox mission on Kodiak Island, Alaska. On September 24, 1794, ten missionaries from the Valaam Monastery (see the Beautiful Russia article on Valaam) in the St. Petersburg (Russia) diocese, who had traveled for a year across 7,000 miles, finally reached their harsh new mission land in Alaska, or "Russian America," which had been a part of the Russian Empire until its sale to the United States in 1867. Only one of these original missionaries survived and remained in America—Holy Father St. Herman. American Orthodoxy today owes a great
debt to these ten missionary monks, most especially to the simple and humble ascetic monk,
Father Herman. Truly the "North-Star of Christ’s Holy Church," and the last
survivor of the original 1794 mission, he worked among the Alutiiq people for 43 He told the people that after his death outsiders
would forget about him for 30 years. Indeed, 30 years later, in 1867, at the time of the
sale of Russian America to the United States, Bishop Peter of Alaska began the formal
investigation of St. Herman’s life, which led to the publication of his Life
in 1894 and eventually, to his glorification in 1970. Blessed Father Herman has worked
countless miracles since his repose in 1837, as he continues to guide those who follow the
Orthodox way in America. St. Herman's relics were brought from Spruce Island to the Resurrection Church on Kodiak (photo to the right) at the time of his glorification on August 9, 1970. This Resurrection Church is the successor of the 1794 Resurrection Church founded by St. Herman and his fellow missionaries upon their arrival on Kodiak. A
This article was written by Jane M. deVyver, M.Th., Ph.D., and the photos are by the author. The icon at the top was painted/written by His Grace, Bishop Job of Chicago (formerly, Fr. John Osacky), and presented to Holy Resurrection Church by him at the time of the glorification of St. Herman on August 9,1970. The second icon was painted/written by Fr. Theodore Jurewicz of Erie, PA, and is at St. Innocent Orthodox Church in Redford, MI; it contains a small particle of the holy relics of St. Herman.
One of the new videos that FIREBIRD is presently working on is The Life of St. Herman of Alaska. It will be released in late 2001. It will be 30 minutes and cost $24.95.
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years, teaching them by word and by the example of
his holy life and great deeds. For most of those years he lived on Spruce Island—his
"New Valaam"—teaching and caring for the natives as his beloved children,
frequently defending them against the exploitation of the Russian fur traders. The people
quickly grew to love him and came to him with all their problems. He lived the most
ascetic life possible, eating and sleeping little, wearing the same ragged clothes
year-round, feeding the birds and wild animals (even bears), and in continual prayer with
his constant companions—God, the saints and the angels. When smallpox, brought by the
European ships, ravaged the native Alaskans, Father Herman personally ministered to them,
and brought all the orphans to his New Valaam, where he took care of them. He built an
orphanage, school and chapel. He grew food in his garden, caught fish and baked cookies
for the children. He taught them in his school, and showed them by his example how to live
a godly life. Indeed, the children and adults loved their dear Apa (grandfather),
and the native people have maintained their devotion to their beloved holy man until
today. (Most native Alaskans are Orthodox). St. Herman was a clairvoyant wonder-worker,
who saw into people’s hearts and into the future. Once, when a tidal wave (sunami)
threatened the island, the saint put an icon near the sea, and said that the water would
not come past the icon: it didn’t. Another time there was a similar experience with a
forest fire. 
beautifully carved wooden reliquary
in the Resurrection Church contains the coffin with Father Herman's relics (photo to
the left). On top of the reliquary are: a large icon of the saint (center); as
well as the "paramon" cross and metal chains (on the left) that he wore (shown
in the icon at the top); and his klobuk (monk's hat) (in the glass box on the
right). Also to be found at this church is Father Herman's hand cross, which he is
shown holding in the icon at the top.