Celebrating the Glorification of St. Herman - 08/07/13
Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop Benjamin, clergy and pilgrims from around the world gathered in Kodiak for the annual 3-day pilgrimage celebration hosted by the Diocese of Alaska. The celebration began with the Akathist in honor of Saint Herman at Kodiak's Holy Resurrection Cathedral on Wednesday evening, August 7. After a day delay due to weather, clergy and many pilgrims left Saint Paul Harbor by boat early on the morning of August 9 for Spruce Island (see map below). The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the island’s Saints Sergius and Herman of Valaam Chapel, which marks the original gravesite of Saint Herman.
A monk of Valaam Monastery, Saint Herman came to Alaska in 1794 to serve the Alutiiq people and Russian fur traders. A tireless laborer as a simple unordained monk, Saint Herman established the Orthodox Church in Kodiak, defended the people against arguably outrageous treatment by Russian colonial officials, and cared for orphaned children on Spruce Island. He lived out the last 30 years of his life on the island as a hermit. During this time he pioneered gardening, cared for those in need, and worked many miracles of healing and protection. At his death, a column of light was seen throughout the region rising from the forest to heaven.
For more photos, visit the OCA Photo gallery at http://oca.org/media/photos/43rd-anniversary-of-the-glorification-of-saint-herman-celebrated-on-spruce
