The Monastery of St. Herman of Alaska, Platina, California
In the hills of northern California there is an Orthodox monastery dedicated to St. Herman of Alaska. Monastic life began in this beautiful but austere landscape in 1968, when two missionary-monastic aspirants, Eugene Rose and Gleb Podmoshensky, moved there and began their life of prayer combined with patristic study, writing and teaching. They would soon be tonsured monks and become Fr. Seraphim and Fr. Herman. Fr. Seraphim reposed in the Lord in 1982, and Fr. Herman in 2014. The monastery is now a part of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and its abbot is Fr. Damascene (Christensen)
The bell outside of Fr. Seraphim’s cell. Visitors would ring on their way to the cell
Photo by Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov)
Inside Fr. Seraphim’s cell. An icon of the monastery’s patron saint, Herman of Alaska
Photo by Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov)
The old mechanical printing press, used to produce books and the English language periodical, The Orthodox Word
Photo by Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov)
An old printing plate with the image of St. Seraphim of Sarov
Photo by Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov)
The reader’s stand. There is no electricity in the church, and services are read by candlelight
Photo by Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov)
The lower side alter, dedicate to Sts. Sergius and Herman of Valaam
Photo by Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov)
The threat of fire
Platina, like most of California, becomes very dry in the summer. Forest fires are a constant threat. Within the past week, the forest right next to the women’s skete of St. Xenia of Petersburg, also founded by Fr. Serpaphim (Rose), was ablaze and the fire has been spreading toward the monastery. Through the prayers of all who love the monastery and skete, the fire has not engulfed the skete or monastery, but prayers must not stop until the danger is over.
These photos were taken a few days ago by a novice of the monastery. The whole territory is filled with smoke, as bulldozers clear fire lines around the monastery another houses. The brothers express special thanks and prayers to all the vigilant firefighters!
9 августа 2021 г.
Comments
Nata2/17/2024 3:32 pm
Hi where can I wghte about to ask about monastery?
Rostarciuc Gabriela Manuela 1/6/2024 3:48 pm
Hi,can I speak with abbot?Please!
Editor12/14/2023 3:05 pm
You can find contact information on their website: https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/
Rostarciuc Gabriela Manuela 12/14/2023 12:07 pm
I would like to contact the abbot, please!
Steven8/27/2023 9:02 pm
I pray that the Monastery
St herman of Alaska Brotherhood
And all your land and orthodox
Christian monks nuns and novices
As well as all visitors and believers
Will always be safe there
And always enjoy the infinite
Mercy of God in Christ . Amen
Bud George8/9/2023 5:21 pm
May God bless the Fr. and brothers of the Monastery on your patron saints feast day.
From the neighbors of the Manton Monastery of St John.
Lord have mercy!
Editor7/5/2023 10:54 am
Randy Helms: You can find visitor information on the monastery's website: https://sainthermanmonastery.org/day-visitors-guide/
Randy Helms7/4/2023 11:34 pm
Hello,
A family member and I would like to visit you this Friday the 14th or Saturday the 15th or both. Is this weekend a good time to visit? Are people allowed to stay overnight?
Thank you.
Fr William Bauer12/27/2021 5:52 am
I noticed a Linotype in one of your pictures. I saw them daily as I worked (paper boy) in Grass Valley (Calif) in the 50s. The State printing dept. in Carson city, Nevada also has one on display as an antique.
As you probably know, the Serbian Priest in Reno & Carson City Fr James Barfield) reposed in the Lord during the COVID pandemic. Will Platina be a school for a new shepherd?
Victor kowalenko8/27/2021 1:00 am
I pray that all are safe due to the nearby fire at the Monastery and St Xenia Skete . Please Pray for the soul of Bill Petrovic who passed away 10 years ago on August 26, 2011.
Editor8/17/2021 1:05 pm
Tariq: You can contact the Monastery directly for information on pilgrimages through their website. https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/ Click the contact us tag on the upper right hand corner.
Tariq Saba8/16/2021 9:20 pm
May I please stay at the monastery for a month or two? I am an Orthodox christian. I live in Corona,CA. I am thinking about venerating the Iveron Icon in SF on Thursday and I want to continue my trip to the monastery. I will help with all of the monastery chores and attend the services. This is not my first time visiting a monastery. I stayed for almost a month at St. Anthony’s in AZ back in January. May you please allow me to stay for a month or two? I really want to grow closer to God and I want to learn as much as I can. I love father Seraphim Rose. I read a couple of his books and I want to visit please.
Pray for me a sinner,
Tariq Saba
9517100417
cheron julien8/14/2021 6:28 am
de tout coeur avec vous dans ce lieu
Melania Murray8/13/2021 6:20 pm
Praying a moleben to St. Herman of Alaska and the most holy Mother of God for safety of the monastery and all who dwell there. St. Herman stopped a tidal wave on Spruce Island through prayer.
Liudmila Kovalchuk8/13/2021 3:52 pm
Are the safe? Is it here any way to get in touch with them?
WALKER JOSE LIMA8/11/2021 1:37 am
Pelas orações da Mãe de Deus tem piedade de nós!
Salva, Senhor, o Teu povo a abençoa a Tua herança.
Ronald J. Brotzman8/9/2021 9:57 pm
FR. Martin and All: WE here at St Lukes pray for your personal safety and the protection of your monastery and all it contains. Ron Brotzman
damjan8/9/2021 8:19 pm
One can smell and feel holiness just from the photos. What an oasis of Christendom right in of all places California! Dear Lord guard your people in the hours of fire peril!