St Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
161 N. Murphy Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Our History
Our History

Thank you for your interest in our parish! This is a brief synopsis of our history…

In the 1970’s and early 80’s, Sunnyvale native Father John Ocana was serving as rector of the Orthodox Church of the Redeemer in Los Altos Hills, CA, a large multi-ethnic parish under the Antiochian Archdiocese.  During this time, Father John was introduced by a group of young parishioners to the St Herman of Alaska Orthodox Brotherhood in Platina, CA which at that time was under the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.  Moved by the piety stemming from the brothers of the monastery, which included the ever-memorable Father Seraphim Rose, and himself seeking a more traditional expression of Orthodoxy in the English language, Father John received a canonical release, and in 1984 received a blessing from Archbishop Antony Medvedev to form, along with 35-40 others, a mission dedicated to St. Herman of Alaska under the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

The beginnings were humble.  For four years, services were conducted in a rented hall in Palo Alto.  But the church grew! Clergy and parishioners learned how services were structured according to the Russian usage and learned to serve and to sing.  Raluca Balaban conducted the choir and gathered the music needed.

In 1988, by God’s Grace, two parishioners discovered an unused Pentecostal church for sale in Sunnyvale which suited the mission’s needs.  The purchase was made, renovations began, and later that year the parish moved into the building which to this day serves as our church.

Now in a permanent place, the mission began to settle into the operations of becoming an actual church community.  Over the years, important improvements have been made to the building including the installation of a choir loft, the building of a hall, altar iconography, the creation of a candlestand area, the upgrade to hardwood floors, the installation of a cupola, among many other projects.

The growth of the parish was accompanied by the growth of our clergy.  In 1989, Father George Balaban became our first deacon.  We began to tonsure readers, some of whom later became ordained clergy, and some of whom still serve the church as loyal readers to this day. Father Andrew Gliga was ordained to the deaconate under Father John in 2011.

When Father John retired from service as a priest in 2011, he was replaced by Father Dimitri Jakimowicz, who served the parish for four years.  Father Dennis Milligan was ordained a deacon under Father Dimitri in 2013.

When it became necessary in 2015 to find a new priest, God revealed through a parishioner that a certain Father Martin Person, who also had connections to St Herman of Alaska Brotherhood and to St Herman of Alaska Mission, was interested in a move from Southern California to the Bay Area to be closer to his aging parent. In November 2015, Father Martin became the rector at St Herman’s and in 2017 was raised to the rank of Archpriest and appointed Dean of the San Francisco Deanery. Deacon George Kalousek returned in 2015 and finished his days serving St Herman’s.  In December of 2019, Deacon Andrew Gliga was ordained to the priesthood.  Father Paul Kozachenko was ordained to the deaconate in 2020. 

The St Herman’s community continues to thrive under the leadership of our beloved priest. We also continue to tonsure readers and have a steady stream of inquirers and catechumens. Nadia Temple has directed our talented choir since 2000.  We have a strong parish council, secretary and treasurer, who loyally and tirelessly work to keep operations smooth and the church beautiful. We have a community of devoted and loving parishioners who care for each other and stand by each other in both good times and in bad.  Above all, we have the unceasing intercession of our patron saint, St Herman of Alaska, who prays to Our Savior for His Mercy and guidance of our church community.

Come and join us!

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