Father Herman: Alaska's Saint

by Frank Alfred Golder

In 1794 a group of Russian missionaries from Valaam Monastery arrived in Kodiak, Alaska. For the next forty years one member of their party would remain, enduring hunger, cold, and mockery. Today he is universally recognized as a Saint of the Orthodox St. Herman of Alaska. St. Herman's love for the Kodiak natives manifested itself in his service to them throughout his life. He was the protector of the persecuted, a nurse to the sick, and a father to orphans. As a hermit on Spruce Island, he was a friend of God and of angels. Even today the natives of Alaska refer to him as their father, a connection that has never been broken. In 1914, F.A. Golder, a leading scholar on the American Northwest at the turn of the century, spent two weeks at Valaam Monastery located on Lake Ladoga (between present-day Russia and Finland). Golder went to Valaam to learn of this missionary monk who was sent to America to bring the Orthodox Faith to the natives of the land. The present volume contains Golder's Life of St. Herman and a collection of the Saint's miracles, spanning from the time of his repose to our own times. Included is a contemporary pilgrim's description of Spruce Island, the site of St. Herman's labors, miracles, and repose.

Genres: Biography Memoir, Biography, Christianity

72 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Frank Alfred Golder (1877–1929) was an American historian and archivist specializing in the history of Russia. Golder is best remembered for his work in the early 1920s building the seminal collection of Slavic language materials residing today at the Hoover Institution Library and Archives at Stanford University in California.

Reviews

[Max Berendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful account of the life and miracles of one of my favourite saints. Saint Herman of Alaska truly is one of the best examples of the Phronema and the Orthodox Christian life. You can finish the book in under an hour, though the contents will make an everlasting impression on you.

Saint Herman of Alaska, pray for us!

[NanoCyborg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great little story about the life of America's first saint, in Orthodoxy that is, and is accompanied by excellent illustrations.

It does have a lot of repeating information near the end though, which kind of detracted from this a bit.

[Matthew Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in about an hour. The traditional life of St. Herman, with notes and clarifications from the editors. Also included is a small collection of reports of miraculous intercessions after his repose.

The description of Father Herman's life on New Valaam moved me to near tears. I will be taking his name when I am chrismated into the Orthodox church, and I feel thoroughly unworthy of it.

Saint Herman, interceed for us!

[James Moes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took being seduced by Nikki McClure's illustrations for me to finally read Saint Herman's story - from Valaam Monastery in Russia to his cabin on Spruce Island in Alaska. An easy read telling of the miracles during his life & those which have happened at/from his grave since his death.

[Phillip Stoffregen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and short biography of "Herman the Alaskan Wonderworker." It is split up into sections on his life, interesting happenings related to his remains and also information on Spruce Island, where Herman lived for a while. A good introductory text on Herman, but there were a lot of things I wondered that were not addressed. Not as much detail as I would like (but it's only 72 pp., what can you expect?), but an interesting and easy to read book that kept my attention.

[Maria Parvulescu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, well-written, and inspiring life of St. Herman.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about Saint Herman’s life and miracles! It is now on my bucket list to go visit Spruce Island in Alaska!

[EC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, beautiful book on the life and activities of Father Herman of Alaska.

[Nancie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. I’ve been to Spruce Island. Very moving.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voi olisipa tämä vain ollut pidempi!

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

read aloud with the kids at tea time.