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Herman: A Wilderness Saint: From Sarov, Russia to Kodiak, Alaska
Since his canonization in 1970, St. Herman has been remembered for his just treatment of native peoples and his respect of the environment. Explaining how it came to be that this simple Russian Orthodox monk eventually settled in Kodiak, Alaska, this account brings to light many primary sources that illuminate the story of St. Herman and the wider context of the little-known history of Russian colonization in the Pacific Northwest. Providing a considerable amount of new information about his life, this book also reveals his fascinating connection to St. Seraphim of Sarov, the most universally recognized saint of the Russian Orthodox Church today.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 4, 2013
This is not a traditional hagiography, but more a biography. The author had access to a wide range of documentation, but from Russia and from Alaska, regarding the life of St. Herman. From these he was able to correct a number of errors. In some cases people misremembered dates, or confused Herman with someone else (which tended to happen when St. Herman was still a young and unknown monk.)
There are a number of details in the book which are highly instructive regarding the political situation within Russia prior to the Revolution of 1917---specifically the way people were a resource to be used (and used up) in the service of the nation. This cultural bias is the source of much of the conflict between St. Herman and the Russian traders over the treatment of the Aleuts. But it is perhaps instructive to note that the general disregard for people as persons was taken to its ultimate extreme after the Communist revolution of 1917.
Another interesting detail is the information regarding the death of St. Peter the Aleut, who was tortured to death by the Spaniards in California for his refusal to renounce Orthodox Christianity in favor of the Roman Catholic church.
Beyond the details of the life of St. Herman and his influence among the people who knew him are the details of his glorification (his recognition as a saint of the Orthodox Church), and the struggle to establish an Orthodox monastery on Spruce Island, a struggle which does not shy away from the petty jurisdictional disputes that characterize Orthodoxy in the Americas.
There are a number of details in the book which are highly instructive regarding the political situation within Russia prior to the Revolution of 1917---specifically the way people were a resource to be used (and used up) in the service of the nation. This cultural bias is the source of much of the conflict between St. Herman and the Russian traders over the treatment of the Aleuts. But it is perhaps instructive to note that the general disregard for people as persons was taken to its ultimate extreme after the Communist revolution of 1917.
Another interesting detail is the information regarding the death of St. Peter the Aleut, who was tortured to death by the Spaniards in California for his refusal to renounce Orthodox Christianity in favor of the Roman Catholic church.
Beyond the details of the life of St. Herman and his influence among the people who knew him are the details of his glorification (his recognition as a saint of the Orthodox Church), and the struggle to establish an Orthodox monastery on Spruce Island, a struggle which does not shy away from the petty jurisdictional disputes that characterize Orthodoxy in the Americas.
February 23, 2013
This is a wonderful addition to the literature regarding St Herman and is much improved over the little books I have read in the past. This one seems more meticulously researched and is full of great details about St Herman and the situation he found himself in. Truly in the life of St Herman God was and is glorified. My thanks to God, to the authors, and most certainly to St Herman.
St Herman of Alaska, pray to God for us!
St Herman of Alaska, pray to God for us!
September 5, 2023
Recently moved to Kodiak
Recently moved to Kodiak, and was interested in both learning the history of my new home and of the Venerated St. Herman. This book goes into great detail of the latter and touches on the situation on Kodiak with the RAC and the saints position against their oversteppings.
Recently moved to Kodiak, and was interested in both learning the history of my new home and of the Venerated St. Herman. This book goes into great detail of the latter and touches on the situation on Kodiak with the RAC and the saints position against their oversteppings.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews