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Herman of Alaska was a Russian Orthodox [[monk]] from [[Valaam Monastery]] in Russia who traveled with eight other monks in 1793 to bring the [[Gospel]] to the native Aleuts and Eskimos in the Aleutian Islands. As part of the Russian colonization of the Americas, Russians had been exploring and trading there since at least 1740. Thus, he marks the first arrival of Orthodox Christian missionaries in North America. He built a school for the Aleutians, and he often defended them from the injustices and exploitation of the Russian traders. He was known to them as ''Apa'' which means "Grandfather." He lived most of his life as the sole resident of Spruce Island, a tiny wooded island near Kodiak Island.
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[[St. Herman's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Kodiak, Alaska)]] is named in his honor. A portion of his [[relics]] are enshrined at the St. Ignatius Chapel at the [[Antiochian Village]], where he is regarded as one of their [[patron saint]]s.
==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 7)
:Joyful North Star of the Church of Christ,
:Guiding all people to the Heavenly Heavenly Kingdom;
:Teacher and apostle of the True Faith;
:Intercessor and defender of the oppressed;
:Adornment of the Orthodox adornment of the Orthodox Church in America:
:Blessed Father Herman of Alaska,
:Pray to our Lord Jesus Christ
:For the salvation of our souls!
Troparion (Tone 4)
:O blessed Father Herman of Alaska,
:North star of Christ's holy Church,
:The light of your holy life and great deeds
:Guides those who follow the Orthodox way.
:Together we lift high the Holy Cross
:You planted firmly in America.
:Let all behold and glorify Jesus Christ,
:Singing his holy Resurrection.
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 3)
== External Links ==
