Foundation for chapel of St. Herman of Alaska laid on Valaam (+ VIDEO)

Valaam, Russia, May 28, 2018

Photo: valaam.ru Photo: valaam.ru
    

America’s first saint and great enlightener, St. Herman of Alaska, is being honored at his home monastery of Valaam in northeastern Russia.

Photo: valaam.ru Photo: valaam.ru
    

The foundation stone for a new chapel in memory of the ascetic missionary saint was laid and blessed on Valaam on Thursday, on the day when the Church commemorates two other great enlighteners—Sts. Cyril and Methodius, the Enlighteners of the Slavs, the monastery’s official website reports.

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Igumen Methodius served a moleben and blessed the beginning of the work on the 46-ft. chapel, and then, together with the donors Andrei and Alexei, lowered the foundation stone of the future chapel and a capsule with a letter of commendation into the ground.

Photo: valaam.ru Photo: valaam.ru
St. Herman is rightly called the enlightener of America, and even an equal-to-the-apostles. The humble Valaam monk, who desired nothing but the desert life, was destined to become the head of the Russian spiritual mission in America. Living out the rest of his days in a foreign land, he proved by his personal labor that it is not money or power or authority that overcomes, but love, meekness, and patience. He taught true Orthodoxy to both the local tribes and the Russian industrialists who were developing new territories, sometimes to the neglect of the people. Having no other support except his fiery faith, St. Herman would repeat, “I am the lowest servant of the local peoples and a nurse.”

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5/28/2018

See also
“I imagine my beloved Valaam.” “I imagine my beloved Valaam.”
St. Herman of Alaska “I imagine my beloved Valaam.” “I imagine my beloved Valaam.”
St. Herman’s Letters to Abbot Nazarius
St. Herman even in Alaska considered himself to be under obedience to his spiritual guide and abbot, Fr. Nazarius of Valaam Monastery. Whenever he had the time he would write to Valaam with reports on the missionary team’s work in the Alaskan territories among the native peoples. A Church of God Can Never Be Empty. How Abbot Nazarius of Valaam Saved a Parish A Church of God Can Never Be Empty. How Abbot Nazarius of Valaam Saved a Parish A Church of God Can Never Be Empty. How Abbot Nazarius of Valaam Saved a Parish A Church of God Can Never Be Empty. How Abbot Nazarius of Valaam Saved a Parish
Touched to the heart by the just words of Fr. Nazarius, the priest replied: “Help me, О Elder, and instruct me. I will try to do what you advise.” Fr. Nazarius said: “Very well; now let us go to God’s temple. Order the bell to be sounded for the Vigil and the Reader to prepare for the All- night service. And Fr. Ilarion and I will help you.” The Home of St. Herman—Kadom of Ryazan The Home of St. Herman—Kadom of Ryazan The Home of St. Herman—Kadom of Ryazan The Home of St. Herman—Kadom of Ryazan
Nun Cornelia (Rees)
It is worth exploring the history and background of this region of Russia, which produced such extraordinarily pious offspring as St. Seraphim of Sarov, Elder Nazarius of Valaam, and our dear Fr. Herman of Alaska.

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