When we really stop to reflect upon what Blessed Father Herman accomplished in Alaska—and what his significance is for us today—we should be stunned by his humility, his selflessness, and his simple and pure dedication and obedience to his original mission to bring the Orthodox Faith to his new land.
The greater part of his forty-plus years in Alaska he lived alone, tirelessly caring for the native Alaskan peoples who, seeing the Love of Christ embodied in their beloved "Apa" (grandfather) became themselves pious and faithful Orthodox Christians. We should be similarly moved and converted in our hearts by Elder Herman's witness. As one monastic writer in North America has put it:
The first saints God raises up in a
country contain a special message about what Orthodoxy must be like for
that nation. Thus, Sts. Boris and Gleb for Russia—the passion bearers.
And it is not a coincidence that Holy Russia begins with passion
bearers and ends with passion bearers (the royal martyrs) and a whole
host of New Martyrs!
So what is the lesson the Lord wants
American Orthodox like us to learn from St. Herman? He was a meek and
humble monk, not even a priest, but a strong witness against injustice
and a confessor of the true Faith.
These are the qualities, I believe,
that Orthodoxy in America must emulate. But so far, we aren't. We are
obsessed with jurisdictional administrative issues, while the inner life
of the Church—which leads to repentance and deification through
humility—is largely neglected at the official, organizational, level...
We need a 'revival' inspired by St. Herman!
—Schema-Hieromonk Ambrose (Young).
Therefore, let us persevere in our
faith and in doing good, being inspired in the depths of our hearts by
our beloved Elder and Wonderworker, St Herman of Alaska, that we may
embody his teaching:
"From this day, from this hour, from this minute, let us love God above all, and strive to fulfill His holy will!"
