Light a candle in front of an icon of Saint Herman. Place where child can see it.
The Life of Saint Herman of Alaska
Saint Herman of Alaska was born near Moscow, Russia in the year 1757. When he was sixteen years old he began his monastic life. For a while he lived at a monastery where it was one of his duties to catch fish for the monks to eat. He loved to go out in his boat, cast his nets, and quietly sit - watching the people go about their day outside of the monastery.
One day, the bishop asked for volunteers. He wanted to start a mission in Alaska and bring the Light of God to the people there. Father Herman was one of the first people to volunteer. He settled on Spruce Island and built himself a cell, chapel, and a house for the orphan children that he cared for. Father Herman loved the animals, and they were his companions. Even the bears would eat from his hands.
The native people loved him very much as well. When they were sick, he traveled far to visit them. When they were hungry, he fed them. If they came to him feeling troubled, a visit with Father Herman would leave them comforted and filled with the love of God.
One night, thieves broke into his cell. They tore the little cell apart in search of furs and money, but found neither. In frustration, one of he thieves raised up an ax to tear up the floor. Father Herman sorrowfully watched him, saying, "My friend, you have lifted up that axe for no good purpose, for by it you shall die." Sure enough, a few months later Father Herman's prophesy came true.
Whenever the demons tried to frighten Saint Herman, he sent them away with the sign of the cross. God gave him the grace to see angels, and power over the elements. Once, a very dangerous tidal wave was moving toward the island. It looked as though it would swallow up Spruce Island. Father Herman knew what to do. He placed an icon of the Theotokos on the beach and ordered the water not to come up the beach past it. And so the island was saved.
One day, the bishop asked for volunteers. He wanted to start a mission in Alaska and bring the Light of God to the people there. Father Herman was one of the first people to volunteer. He settled on Spruce Island and built himself a cell, chapel, and a house for the orphan children that he cared for. Father Herman loved the animals, and they were his companions. Even the bears would eat from his hands.
The native people loved him very much as well. When they were sick, he traveled far to visit them. When they were hungry, he fed them. If they came to him feeling troubled, a visit with Father Herman would leave them comforted and filled with the love of God.
One night, thieves broke into his cell. They tore the little cell apart in search of furs and money, but found neither. In frustration, one of he thieves raised up an ax to tear up the floor. Father Herman sorrowfully watched him, saying, "My friend, you have lifted up that axe for no good purpose, for by it you shall die." Sure enough, a few months later Father Herman's prophesy came true.
Whenever the demons tried to frighten Saint Herman, he sent them away with the sign of the cross. God gave him the grace to see angels, and power over the elements. Once, a very dangerous tidal wave was moving toward the island. It looked as though it would swallow up Spruce Island. Father Herman knew what to do. He placed an icon of the Theotokos on the beach and ordered the water not to come up the beach past it. And so the island was saved.
Chant together the Megalynarion:
Bitter cold and tempest of wind and snow * could not quench the fervour * of thy love for our Saviour Christ. * Hence, O Father Herman, * we Orthodox acclaim thee, * the glory of Alaska and
joy of all the Church.
Bitter cold and tempest of wind and snow * could not quench the fervour * of thy love for our Saviour Christ. * Hence, O Father Herman, * we Orthodox acclaim thee, * the glory of Alaska and
joy of all the Church.
Small World Play: Spruce Island
Spruce Island was Father Herman’s home. Make a little Spruce Island for your child to explore.
You will need: pine cones, green paint (spray paint works best), blue gems (you can find these at the dollar store), arctic animal figurines (we like the TOOBS® sets for $9.99 at Michael’s), cotton balls (or epsom salt for a realistic snowy look), and plastic tub or baking dish.
What to do: Spray paint the pine cones green. Set aside to dry for a few hours. Assemble your small world by creating Spruce Island with the cotton balls in one side of the bin. In the other side, place a layer of blue gems. On the island, place your green pine cones for trees, and stick your animal figures on land and sea. Make Father Herman’s dwelling out of a small box (a painted milk carton would be neat!) or lincoln logs and place it on the island.
You will need: pine cones, green paint (spray paint works best), blue gems (you can find these at the dollar store), arctic animal figurines (we like the TOOBS® sets for $9.99 at Michael’s), cotton balls (or epsom salt for a realistic snowy look), and plastic tub or baking dish.
What to do: Spray paint the pine cones green. Set aside to dry for a few hours. Assemble your small world by creating Spruce Island with the cotton balls in one side of the bin. In the other side, place a layer of blue gems. On the island, place your green pine cones for trees, and stick your animal figures on land and sea. Make Father Herman’s dwelling out of a small box (a painted milk carton would be neat!) or lincoln logs and place it on the island.
Spruce Rice Sensory Play
Make a spruce-themed sensory bin for your child, and fill it with sticks, evergreen branches, pine cones, and large rocks.
Dyed Rice
You will need: 1 large ziplock bag, vinegar, 3 cups dry white rice, wax paper, green food coloring, pine or fir needle essential oil (you can find a bottle of this at Walmart inexpensively)
What to do: Pour all of the rice into your ziplock bag. Add a hearty amount of green food coloring and a small amount of vinegar - about a teaspoon. The vinegar helps spread and set the color. Close the bag up and shake it, mixing everything up. If there are still some white grains of rice, add more food coloring and vinegar.
Adjust the amount of food coloring to get the desired shade of green. Once your rice is evenly colored, open the bag back up and put a few drops of the essential oil in. Shake again. Pour rice out in a thin layer on a sheet of wax paper and let it dry thoroughly (about four hours). Once it has dried, pour it into a bowl or container and add other sensory items.
Dyed Rice
You will need: 1 large ziplock bag, vinegar, 3 cups dry white rice, wax paper, green food coloring, pine or fir needle essential oil (you can find a bottle of this at Walmart inexpensively)
What to do: Pour all of the rice into your ziplock bag. Add a hearty amount of green food coloring and a small amount of vinegar - about a teaspoon. The vinegar helps spread and set the color. Close the bag up and shake it, mixing everything up. If there are still some white grains of rice, add more food coloring and vinegar.
Adjust the amount of food coloring to get the desired shade of green. Once your rice is evenly colored, open the bag back up and put a few drops of the essential oil in. Shake again. Pour rice out in a thin layer on a sheet of wax paper and let it dry thoroughly (about four hours). Once it has dried, pour it into a bowl or container and add other sensory items.
Saint Herman Vegan Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are delicious, and how perfect it is that evergreen tree cookie cutters are so easy to come by! We usually buy pre-made icing at the store, although the website with this recipe does provide instructions for one. Pillsbury makes a white frosting that is not only dairy-free but also delicious! You can dye the cookies green and frost with white icing. You can use green frosting on white cookies. You could go monochromatic! So many exciting options here.
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup soft but not melted coconut oil
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk, soymilk, or almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
A few drops green food coloring, opt.
In a large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, coconut oil, 1/4 cup coconut milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed to combine. Stir in flour, cornstarch, baking soda, cream of tartar, and food coloring (if desired) until blended. If dough is too crumbly, add a little more milk until it comes together. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray. Divide dough in half. Roll each dough half to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface cut out with tree-shaped cookie cutters. Dough may need to warm up a little before it's easy to roll out. Place shapes on the cookie sheet 2 inches apart and bake 7-8 until edges just begin to turn golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Ice cookies with frosting and enjoy!
(Recipe adapted from www.yummymummykitchen.com)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup soft but not melted coconut oil
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk, soymilk, or almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
A few drops green food coloring, opt.
In a large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, coconut oil, 1/4 cup coconut milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed to combine. Stir in flour, cornstarch, baking soda, cream of tartar, and food coloring (if desired) until blended. If dough is too crumbly, add a little more milk until it comes together. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray. Divide dough in half. Roll each dough half to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface cut out with tree-shaped cookie cutters. Dough may need to warm up a little before it's easy to roll out. Place shapes on the cookie sheet 2 inches apart and bake 7-8 until edges just begin to turn golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Ice cookies with frosting and enjoy!
(Recipe adapted from www.yummymummykitchen.com)
Other great links about Saint Herman:
http://www.illumination-learning.com/blog/2012/12/teaching-my-children-about-st-herman-through-a-story-prayers-and-cookies/
http://www.illumination-learning.com/blog/2012/12/teaching-my-children-about-st-herman-through-a-story-prayers-and-cookies/