This year (2010) marks the 40th anniversary of the glorification of St Herman of Alaska jointly by the OCA and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) in 1970.
When the OCA announced it was going to officially enter Blessed Fr Herman into the List of Saints on August 9, 1970 (new calendar) in Kodiak, Alaska, the ROCOR Synod agreed to offer its "Amen" to this event by simultaneously canonizing St Herman in the Joy of All Who Sorrow Russian Cathedral in San Francisco on July 27 (old calendar). The OCA (formerly known as the "Metropolia") and ROCOR had worked together towards the glorification of St Herman as early as 1939 before the unfortunate split of the two Russian Churches in America. The decision by ROCOR to perform a joint canonization was hailed as "far-sighted" by one pious churchman closely involved who himself had labored for many years towards having Fr Herman declared a saint.
In honor of this festal and historic occasion, a new webpage was launched to collect in one place as many significant resources as possible regarding our beloved patron saint of Orthodoxy in North America. Scroll down for audio, videos, books (including children's titles), excerpts from St Herman's teachings on the Orthodox Way, online articles, icons and much more, all related not only to St Herman, but to his message for us today, which can be summed up in his rightly famous word:
"From this day, from this hour, from this minute, let us strive to love God above all, and to fulfill His holy will!"
See the webpage here.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
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!