Uncovering of the Relics of Venerable Herman of Solovki — July 30 / August 12 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, July 30 according to the Julian Calendar (August 12 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Uncovering of the Relics of Venerable Herman of Solovki.

Venerable Herman of Solovki lived in solitude on the banks of the river Vyg. There, in about the year 1429, he was met by Saint Sabbatius (commemorated September 27), a monk of the Valaam monastery who was seeking a secluded place for ascetic labor. Herman told him of the desolate island of Solovki, whereupon the holy fathers crossed the sea together and settled upon it. After the repose of blessed Sabbatius (+1435), Venerable Herman continued his labors on the island together with another hermit, Venerable Zosimas (commemorated April 17).

Venerable Herman could neither read nor write, yet he was made wise by God. Desiring to preserve the example of Sabbatius and Zosimas for posterity, he directed the clergy to write down his recollections of the blessed fathers. He loved to listen to soul-profiting readings, and he charged his disciples to gather books for the monastery. For the needs of the community the saint continued to travel even into deep old age, shrinking from no danger. On one such journey, in 1479, he peacefully surrendered his soul to the Lord at the monastery of Saint Anthony. His body was borne toward the Solovki monastery, but because the roads were impassable he was buried on the bank of the river Svir, near the village of Khavronina. In 1484 the relics of the saint were uncovered incorrupt.