From This Day... Let Us Love God Above All! - St. Herman of Alaska

The story of St. Herman’s most well-known saying. This great man of God traveled from his monastery in Valaam to share the gospel of Christ with the native Alaskans, established the light of Orthodoxy in the hearts of countless souls, and forever changed North America.
The text comes from the "Treasury of Spirituality" of St. Herman of Alaska, sections of which are found in various places online and originally published in The Orthodox Word. See selections here:
orthochristian...
📖 The Life of St. Herman
orthochristian...
📖 St. Herman's Life and Service
www.saintherma...
📖 _ Father Herman: Alaska's Saint_ by F.A. Golder
www.saintherma...
🎧 The Way of a Christian - St. Herman of Alaska (Treasury of Spirituality I-IV)
• The Way of a Christian...
⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you:
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orthodoxyiname...
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Once the Elder was invited on board a frigate that had come from St. Petersburg. The captain of the frigate was a man quite learned, highly educated; he had been sent to America by Imperial command to inspect all the colonies. With the captain were some 25 officers, likewise educated men. In this company there sat a desert-dwelling monk of small stature, in an old garment, who by bis wise conversation brought all his listeners to such a state that they did not know how to answer him. The captain himself related:
"We were speechless, fools before him!"
Father Herman gave them all one common question: "What do you, gentlemen, love above all, and what would each of you wish for his happiness?" Diverse answers came out. One desired wealth, one glory, one a beautiful wife, one a fine ship which he should command, and so on in this fashion. "Is it not true," said Father Herman at this, “that all your various desires can be reduced to one - that each of you desires that which, in his understanding, he considers best and most worthy of love?" "Yes, it is so," they all replied. "Well, then, tell me," he continued, "can there be anything better, higher above everything, more surpassing everything and in general more worthy of love, than our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who created us, adorned with such perfections, gave life to all, supports all, nourishes and loves all, Who Himself is love and more excellent than all men? Should one not therefore high above all love God, and more than all desire and seek Him?" All began to say: "Well, yes! That is understood!” "That speaks for itself!"
"And do you love God?" the Elder then asked. All replied: "Of course, we love God. How can one not love God?" "And I, sinful one, for more than forty years have been striving to love God, and cannot say that I perfectly love Him," answered Father Herman; and he began to show how one should love God. "If we love someone," he said, "we always think of him, strive to please him, day and night our heart is occupied with this subject. Is it thus that you, gentlemen, love God? Do you often turn to Him, do you always think of Him, do you always pray to Him and fulfill His holy commandments?" It had to be acknowledged that they did not! "For our good, for our happiness," concluded the Elder, "at least let us make a promise to ourselves, that from this day, from this hour, from this minute we shall strive to love God above all, and fulfill His holy will!" Behold what an intelligent, superb conversation Father Herman conducted in society; without doubt this conversation must have imprinted itself on the hearts of his listeners for their whole life!
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Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

[@OrthodoxFrancisBoulle]

I humbly with all my heart wish you a very Merry Christ Filled Christmas. May the Lord Our God bless this Day for you, your family and everyone around you. We sinners undeservedly are reconciled with God through His Only Begotten Son and by the Theotokos, The Word Incarnate became Flesh. May everyday of our life be filled with the fact that it is not I but Lord Jesus Christ that lives in us. May the prayers of Holy Theotokos, Holy Apostles, our Holy Guardian Angel, Holy Angels, Holy Arch Angels, Holy Angels of all Hierarchies in Heaven, Holy Saints Known and Unknown, Holy Venerable, Holy Virgins, Holy Martyrs, Holy Prophets, Holy Patriarchs, Holy Fathers and Forefathers, and all the Holy Ones be with us all, Ameen. 🙏☦️❤️

[@SeekTheGoodInAll]

This is one of, if not the, most important passages I’ve ever read. It’s gotten me through difficulties over the past few years.

[@LargeLeonard]

My local Parishes patron Saint! Blessed Saint Herman, pray for us Sinners.

[@SwoleSlim]

Thank you! Blessed feast of St. Herman!!! We had our parishes names day in his honor today. Was wonderful. Merry Christmas to my NC Orthodox brothers

[@Weloveyt8]

DO YOU HAVE SPOTIFY OR SOMETHING BECAUSE I WANNA LISTEN WHILE DOING OTHER THINGS ON MY PHONE.. please and thank you..

[@OrthodoxWisdom]

Yes you can find Orthodox Wisdom on Spotify

[@thelegends8564]

Merry Christmas! Can you please explain to me did Saint Philaret of NY held communion with the old calendarist churches and if yes why did saint Paisios say that zealotry is a wound to the Orthodox church? Please forgive me if i said something wrong.

[@arianemontemuro7901]

The Serbian and Russian Orthodox churches are on the old calendar. I believe Mt Athos is on the old calendar. So I would imagine St Paisios was also since he was an Athonite monk. It was only changed by some in the 20th century--- I wish we never changed Forgive me if I am wrong.