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Saturday 13 December 2025

Repose Ven. Herman of Alaska, Wonderworker of All America

Saturday of the 27th week after Pentecost

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Nativity Fast — Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed Tone 1

Nativity Fast, day 29

Repose Ven. Herman of Alaska, Wonderworker of All America

Saints commemorated

  • Saint of the day

    Herman of Alaska

    Herman of Alaska (c. 1756–1837) was a simple Russian monk of Valaam who became the great missionary and protector of the native peoples of Alaska and, in 1970, the first saint of the Orthodox Church in America to be glorified. Sent in 1793 with the first mission to Russian America, he outlived all his companions and withdrew to Spruce Island near Kodiak, which he called New Valaam, where for over forty years he lived in prayer and extreme asceticism, taught and fed the Aleut and Kodiak natives, cared for orphans, and stood fearlessly between the people and the abuses of the Russian-American Company. Reposing on December 13, 1837, he is venerated as the "North Star of Christ's Church" and the heavenly protector of America; his glorification is kept on August 9 and his repose on December 13.

  • Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orestes at Sebaste

    The Five Martyrs of Sebaste — Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius and Orestes — suffered for Christ at Sebaste in Armenia during the persecution of Diocletian, about the year 296. Their leader Eustratius was a learned nobleman and scholarch, the military governor of Satala, who confessed his hidden faith when he saw the presbyter Auxentius seized; drawn into the confession one by one, the priest Auxentius, the soldier Orestes, and the bystanders Eugene and Mardarius each won the martyr's crown by fire and the sword. Eustratius, burned alive last of all, left behind a great prayer of thanksgiving that is still read at the Saturday Midnight Office in the Byzantine rite; the prayer of the Third Hour is likewise ascribed to Mardarius. They are commemorated together on December 13.

  • Holy Virgin Maryr Lucy of Syracuse (304)

    Lucy (Lucia) of Syracuse (c. 283–304) was a virgin-martyr of Sicily, put to death in her native city during the persecution of Diocletian. A wealthy young Christian who had vowed her virginity to Christ and given her goods to the poor, she was denounced by a rejected suitor to the prefect Paschasius, condemned to a brothel yet kept inviolate by the power of God, and, when fire could not consume her, slain by a sword-thrust to the throat. Her Latin name derives from lux, "light," and she has been venerated from ancient times as a patroness of light and of the blind; a tradition that her eyes were put out has fixed this association. Though a saint of the pre-schism West, she was received early and widely into the Byzantine calendar and is kept on December 13.

  • Arcadius of Novotorzhok

    Arcadius (†13 December 1077) was a young man of Vyazma who left his home to follow the Hungarian nobleman Ephraim, founder of the monastery of Saints Boris and Gleb at Novy Torg (Torzhok) on the upper Tvertsa. Before his tonsure he lived as a fool-for-Christ, begging his bread and sleeping in the forest or on a church porch; after it he was known for an obedience to his elder so complete that the Russian tradition holds it up as the pattern of the thing, and for silence, fasting and unbroken attendance at the services. He outlived Ephraim by nearly a quarter of a century. His relics were found in 1572 and enshrined in 1677, and he is kept with Ephraim as one of the two patrons of Torzhok and among the saints of Tver and Smolensk.

British Isles and Ireland

  • St. Edburgh (Eadburh), abbess of Minster-in-Thanet (751)

Troparia & kontakia

Apolytikion — Tone 8 (common of a venerable father)

In thee, O father, was the divine image preserved with exactness; for taking up the cross thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to overlook the flesh, for it passeth away, but to care for the soul, which is a thing immortal. Wherefore, O venerable Arcadius, thy spirit rejoiceth with the angels.

Kontakion — Tone 3

Discoursing on things divine before the lawless, thou didst endure the beatings with a most valiant heart; thou didst shine forth with divine signs, O most wondrous one, and didst quench the towering flame of delusion. Therefore we honour thee, O all-blessed Eustratius, martyr of Christ.

Kontakion — Tone 3

The eternal Light of Christ our Saviour guided thee upon the path of the Gospel to America, to proclaim the good tidings of peace. Standing today before the throne of glory, pray for thy land and its people, for the peace of the whole world, and for the salvation of our souls.

Troparion — Tone 4

Let us sing the splendour of the all-honoured martyrs, the five passion-bearers who scorned the glory of earth: Eustratius, the shining sun and all-wise orator, together with his fellow-sufferers, who dared the fire and the torments for Christ the King of all, and were endowed from His throne of glory with the honour of crowns. By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Troparion — Tone 7

O most radiant star of the Church of Christ, shining forth in the north and guiding all toward the heavenly Kingdom; teacher and apostle of the true faith, intercessor and defender of the persecuted, and surpassing adornment of the holy Church in America: O venerable father Herman of Alaska, pray to the Lord our Saviour, that our souls may be saved.

Troparion — Tone 4

Thy ewe-lamb Lucy cries out to Thee, O Jesus, with a loud voice: "O my Bridegroom, I long for Thee; seeking Thee I contend, and I am crucified and buried together with Thee in Thy baptism. I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; I die for Thee, that I may live in Thee. Receive me as a spotless sacrifice, offered to Thee with love." By her prayers, O merciful One, save our souls.

Readings

Vespers

Wisdom of Solomon 3.1-9

1But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. 2In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. 4For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. 5And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 6As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. 7And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. 8They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. 9They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.

Wisdom of Solomon 5.15-6.3

15But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High. 16Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them. 17He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies. 18He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet. 19He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. 20His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise. 21Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark. 22And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. 23Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. 1Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. 2Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. 3For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

Wisdom of Solomon 4.7-15

7But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. 8For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. 9But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. 10He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated. 11Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. 12For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. 13He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: 14For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked. 15This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.

Matins Gospel

Matthew 11.27-30

27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Epistle

Galatians 5.22-6.2

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Galatians 5.22-6.2 (St Herman)

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Gospel

Luke 13.18-29

18Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. 20And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 22And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

Luke 6.17-23 (St Herman)

17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. 20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.