Decades of Youth Gatherings
St. Herman Conference began in 1979 at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. It was a continuation of the former St. Vladimir Youth Circles founded by Archbishop Averky of Syracuse and Holy Trinity. Seeing that youth of the Church were enjoying a winter vacation from their education awaiting the celebration of Orthodox Christmas, a wonderful opportunity presented itself to host a gathering for spiritual growth and fellowship.
Since those early days, the Church Abroad has organized a series of lectures, social events and beautiful liturgical services centered on the feast of St. Herman of Alaska which is celebrated yearly in the Orthodox Church on December 25th. Each year the conference is held in various parishes around the Eastern American and Canadian Dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.
The Chairman of the St. Herman Executive Committee is His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and All Canada. A committee of clergy, ay people and youth arrange scheduling, lectures, social evenings and divine services. Participants represent all parts of the dioceses and are almost all repeat attendees. It has become the main church event and longest lived event for youth in the Church Abroad. As the conference continues in its service to the Holy Church, it serves the purpose of ensuring active participation in Church life for years to come.
Since those early days, the Church Abroad has organized a series of lectures, social events and beautiful liturgical services centered on the feast of St. Herman of Alaska which is celebrated yearly in the Orthodox Church on December 25th. Each year the conference is held in various parishes around the Eastern American and Canadian Dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.
The Chairman of the St. Herman Executive Committee is His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and All Canada. A committee of clergy, ay people and youth arrange scheduling, lectures, social evenings and divine services. Participants represent all parts of the dioceses and are almost all repeat attendees. It has become the main church event and longest lived event for youth in the Church Abroad. As the conference continues in its service to the Holy Church, it serves the purpose of ensuring active participation in Church life for years to come.