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On [[September 21]], 1904, Herman was [[ordination|ordained]] a priest by [[Archbishop]] Miitavi (Agafangel). His first assignment was as priest of the Orthodox Church in Lelle, Estonia. He continued serving as a priest at different parishes in Estonia until 1923. He was the delegate representing the Orthodox congregations of Estonia and Livonia at the local [[All-Russian Church Council of 1917-1918|Russian Council of 1917]] in Moscow, serving until 1919. After the conclusion of World War I, Fr. Herman supplemented his income working for the newspaper "Echo Island".
In the aftermath of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, the issue of a successor to the Finnish [[cathedra]] arose in newly independent Finland. The candidate presented for Archbishop of Finland by the Russian Church, Abp. Seraphim, did not satisfy the Finns. After unsuccessfully looking for a qualified candidate, the Finns approached the [[Church of Estonia|Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church]]. Fr. Herman was presented as a candidate. Objections to his lack of Finnish language skills was were satisfied as the similarity of Finnish and Estonian languages enabled Fr. Herman to quickly learn the Finnish language.
At a [[synod]] in June 1922, Fr. Herman was elected as the nominee for the Finnish [[cathedra]] but confirmation to the appointment was refused, while Abp. Seraphim was nominated by a separate panel of hierarchs. Further action on the two selections by Patr. Tikhon was prevented by his arrest in Russia. During a visit by Fr. Herman to Finland in the autumn of 1922 with to the Finnish Minister of Education, he was found accepted to be appropriate for the episcopal office. In preparation for his taking the episcopal office, Fr. Herman was nominated by the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church and accepted by the Finns who placed him on an accelerated change of citizenship. On [[June 13]], 1925, he was elected formally as archbishop.
In December 1922, the Finnish government and the Finish Orthodox Church approached the Patriarchate of Constantinople concerning [[autocephaly]] and consecration of Fr. Herman as its head. After being informed that recognition would be as [[autonomy]], Fr. Herman's installation was confirmed on [[February 8]], 1926 as Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland.
years=1925-1960|
after=[[Paul (Olmari) of Finland|Paul (Olmari)]]}}
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==Sources==
[[Category: Bishops]]
[[Category:20th-century bishops]]
[[Category: Bishops of Karelia]]
[[Category: Archbishops of Finland]]
[[Category: Bishops of Finland]]
