On this day, June 28 according to the Julian Calendar (July 11 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Venerable Fathers Sergius and Herman, founders of the Valaam Monastery on Lake Ladoga in Russia.
The Venerable Fathers Sergius and Herman are the spiritual founders and first abbots of the famous Valaam Monastery, situated on an island in Lake Ladoga. According to ancient tradition, the Apostle Andrew the First-Called visited the island in the first century and preached the Gospel there, shattered the pagan idols, erected stone crosses, and established a community of new believers. It was upon this apostolic foundation that Sergius and Herman built their great monastic community.
The origins of Sergius and Herman are not recorded in detail by historical sources, but tradition holds that they came as missionary monks from Greece or the Christian East to evangelize the peoples of the north. They settled on the island of Valaam — a place of severe climate and remarkable natural beauty — and gathered a monastic community around them. Through their prayers, teachings, and ascetic example, they converted many of the local pagan tribes to Christianity.
In the thirteenth century, the monastery they founded suffered greatly from the raids of Catholic Swedish forces under King Magnus, who sought to forcibly convert the region to Roman Catholicism. The monks endured persecution with faith and courage.
Despite centuries of hardship, raids, and periodic destruction and rebuilding, Valaam Monastery survived as one of the great spiritual centers of the Russian Orthodox Church. The relics of Saints Sergius and Herman rest on the island to this day and are venerated by pilgrims from throughout the Orthodox world.
The Valaam monastery has been called the “Northern Athos” for its profound spiritual life and the holiness of its inhabitants throughout the centuries.
May the intercessions of the Venerable Fathers Sergius and Herman of Valaam be with us all.