Coming soon to a church near you: The Feast of ST. HERMAN OF ALASKA, apostle to the Aleuts.

St. Herman is the first of the American saints. Shortly after Russia discovered the Aleutian Islands, they decided they needed to evangelize this new territory. 10 years after the Russian state claimed the land of Alaska, St. Herman was sent there to live and proclaim the Gospel in both word and deed. His ascetic labors were legendary and his prayers were known to work miracles. His feast is celebrated on August 9th. In the Liturgy, we ascend to heaven and participate in the very joy St. Herman lived in: the joy of our risen Lord. St. Herman knew that the Orthodox Church is the one Church, it is for all people at all time in all places, which is why he struggled to acquire the Holy Spirit and to let the light of Christ shine on all nations. There is only one thing needful and only one thing worthy of giving our lives to.