Religion: Herman the Wonderworker

According to the legends, he once held back a flood by placing an icon on the beach and declaring that the waters would not go past it. Another time he thwarted a forest fire by similar means. He lived in a cave, wore a deerskin cassock and slept on a wooden bench with bricks for his pillow. As a missionary, he defended the Aleuts against the traders who exploited them. He ran a school and orphanage for the natives, among whom—even in his own lifetime—he was popularly regarded as a saint. Last week the Orthodox Church in America made it official....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!