Venerable · c. 1756–1837
Herman of Alaska
Venerable Herman of Alaska, Wonderworker of All America
New Calendar December 13 Old Calendar December 26
Why they are a saint
Herman of Alaska was a valaam monk who remained in Alaska when the mission dwindled; defender of the Aleuts, wonderworker of Spruce Island. First saint glorified by the American mission. The years given for this life are c. 1756–1837. Orthodox Christians remember him among the venerable monastic saints.
Life
Saint Herman was a monk who spent time at the Saint Sergius Hermitage near Saint Petersburg and at Sarov, and followed his elder Father Nazarius to Valaam Monastery. In 1793 a spiritual mission of Valaam monks was organized to preach to the native peoples of northwestern America, and Herman was one of them.
He settled on deserted Spruce Island, near Kodiak, which he called New Valaam. Everything he earned by his labours went to feed and clothe orphans and to buy books for his students. He interceded with the governors on behalf of the people and defended them. When a deadly epidemic came to Kodiak, he cared for the sick. Once, when a flood threatened Spruce Island, he placed an icon of the Mother of God on the sand and prayed, and the water did not pass it.
He fell asleep in the Lord in the eighty-first year of his life, on December 13, 1837 (Julian Calendar), though some records give other dates. The local people witnessed his miracles and the fulfilment of his predictions.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
Honoured as Wonderworker of All America (the title under which he is commemorated). The cited source names no other patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of Alaska, North America, Orthodox mission, because he is linked to that land by his life and labours.
Prayer
O holy Herman of Alaska, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with other Germans / Hermans of Russia.