Catholic Saint
St. Herman of Alaska
“The first Orthodox saint canonized in the Americas, a Russian monk who defended Native Alaskans from exploitation.”
Feast Day: December 13
Biography
St. Herman was a Russian Orthodox monk who arrived in Alaska in 1794 as part of a missionary group. He spent over 40 years on Spruce Island, protecting the native Aleut people from exploitation by the Russian-American Company, establishing schools and an orphanage, and living a life of extreme simplicity.
Prayer to St. Herman of Alaska
From this day, from this hour, let us love God above all.