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Falling Asleep of Metropolitan Herman

September 6, 2022

With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the falling asleep of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko), retired primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). His Beatitude reposed on September 6, 2022, at the age of 90.

His Beatitude was born Joseph Swaiko in Briarford, PA, on February 1, 1932, and was baptized at St Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church in Curtisville, PA. He went on to study at St Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA, graduating in 1963. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate and Holy Priesthood in 1964, tonsured a monk in 1970, consecrated to the Holy Episcopate in 1973, and enthroned as primate of the OCA in 2002. Metropolitan Herman served as primate until his retirement in 2008.

His Beatitude taught at St Tikhon’s Seminary for many years, and he blessed St Vladimir's Seminary with his leadership, guidance, and presence on campus during his tenure as primate. Metropolitan Herman is especially remembered by those who were seminarians under his mentorship. 

Historically, in terms of the development of the Orthodox Church in America, he will be remembered as the second American-born primate of the OCA. 

May Metropolitan Herman’s memory be eternal!