OCA releases new texts for the Feast of St. Herman

(OCA) - The Department of Liturgical Music and Translations of the Orthodox Church in America has released a new series of liturgical texts for the feast of the Glorification of Venerable Herman of Alaska, Wonderworker of All America (commemorated on August 9) in honor of the 50th anniversary of his glorification.

At the request of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, the texts for the cycle of liturgical services commemorating St. Herman were composed by Hieromonk Herman (Majkrzak) and Priest John Mikitsh. Future plans include the composition of services texts for other American saints and complied into a supplemental Menaion and to be published by St. Tikhon’s Monastery Press.  The texts provided are copyrighted by St. Tikhon’s Monastery Press and are for the use of parishes and institutions in the Divine Services.

As was reported earlier, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America at the spring meeting decided to postpone the celebrations for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the granting of the Tomos of Autocephaly, and the glorification of St. Herman of Alaska that had been previously announced.

“While we are saddened to be unable to celebrate as we had planned this momentous anniversary in the life of the Orthodox Church in America, we are grateful to be able to release today these new services dedicated to Saint Herman of Alaska,” said Archpriest Thomas Soroka, Project Manager - Departments of the Orthodox Church in America. “We feel the release of these new texts in celebration of the anniversary is a very appropriate way to celebrate this humble saint.”

Text available here (PDF).