We do not often think of
Russians as having evangelized any part of the Americas, but sometimes we
forget how close we are to Russia by way of Alaska. Today, the Church remembers a Russian
Orthodox monk, Herman, who lived was born in 1756 and who died in 1837 in
Spruce, Alaska, who was a missionary in Kodiak, Alaska.
Herman entered a Russian
Orthodox monastery, Trinity-St. Sergius Hermitage near St. Petersburg, at the
age of 16. Eventually he was tonsured a monk, though he was never ordained to
the priesthood. Herman was selected to
go on a mission to the Alaskan Territory; he went with 7 other monks.
They arrived on Kodiak Island
on 24 September 1794. The monks converted the native Aleuts, and as time
progressed they found themselves protecting the natives from exploitation and
abuse. Because of this moral stance the monks themselves were abused, arrested
and physically threatened. In time, enduring hardship, inclement weather,
illness and more, Herman stood as the only remainder from the original band of
missionaries, the others either being martyred for their faith, dying of
natural causes or returning to Russia.
Herman eventually built a
hermitage on Spruce Island, about a mile and a quarter from Kodiak Island. A
small chapel was built as well, along with a school and guest house. The local
people would visit him often. He devoted his life to prayer and to performing
those services he could do as a simple monk who had not been ordained to the
priesthood.
My wife, Mary, and I just
returned from a week in Alaska. It is
indeed a beautiful, untamed frontier.
Even today, the vast land of Alaska is sparsely populated. One has to admire and respect those who lived
in Alaska, like Herman and his band of monastic brothers, during a time when
there were no modern conveniences.
Let us pray: Holy God, we bless your Name for Herman,
joyful north star of Christ’s Church, who came from Russia to bring the Good
News of Christ’s love to your native people in Alaska, to defend them from
oppressors and to proclaim the Gospel of peace; and we pray that we may follow
his example in proclaiming the Gospel; through the same Jesus Christ, who with
you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, throughout all ages. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Art Class with Lee Runion,
Friday evening, 10 August and then continuing on Saturday, 11 August. The class will be making “yard bugs!”
Seaside Seniors, Thursday, 16
August in Sutton Hall.
The Feast Day of St. Augustine
will be celebrated on Sunday, 26 August starting with Eucharist Rite II at 9 a.m.
and a luncheon after the service.
Please remember everyone on our
prayer list, especially, the family of Corlie Jackson whose mother died
recently, for the health of Lee Runion’s mother, Steve, Gladys, in thanksgiving
for a generous gift to the Discretionary Fund, and for all of those who are
travelling.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal
Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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