In Memoriam: Remembering His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman on the 4th Anniversary of His Repose

BATH, PA [DOEPA COMMUNICATIONS]

On Sunday, September 6, 2026, the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania remembers the anniversary of the repose of His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman [Swaiko], honoring his legacy as the former Primate of the Orthodox Church in America and the former Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman (Joseph Swaiko) was born in Briarford, PA, on February 1, 1932, and baptized at St. Michael’s Church in Curtisville, PA. From a young age, he was active in parish life, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, and serving on parish and diocesan councils. After completing his studies at Robert Morris School of Business, he served in the U.S. Army’s Adjutant General Corps before enrolling at St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary at the encouragement of his parish priest, graduating in 1963. While still a seminarian, he became secretary to then Bishop Kiprian [Borisevich] (+12/14/80) and later served as Registrar and instructor at the Seminary.

Following his ordination to the Holy Diaconate on March 21, 1964 and to the Holy Priesthood on April 7, 1964, Father Joseph ministered St. John the Baptish Church in Dundaff, PA, and Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Uniondale, PA, while teaching and undertaking key administrative work at the Seminary. He played a central role in the Seminary’s development, the organization of its Board of Trustees, and in the landmark 14th All-American Sobor of 1970, which recognized the Orthodox Church in America’s autocephaly. Dedicated to youth ministry, he established the first summer camp at St. Tikhon’s and inspired the creation of Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Bloomsburg State College.

On December 4, 1970, he was tonsured a monk with the name Herman, in honor of Saint Herman of Alaska. He was consecrated to the episcopacy in 1973 as Bishop of Wilkes-Barre, serving as auxiliary to the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. Following the repose of Archbishop Kiprian, he was elected Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania in 1981 and later elevated to Archbishop. During this time, he taught at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, recruited faculty, expanded the student body, and oversaw significant building and accreditation projects. Archbishop Herman also strengthened monastic life at St. Tikhon’s Monastery, where he welcomed new members and oversaw major building projects, including a new bell tower and mausoleum. His leadership extended beyond the diocese: he served the Orthodox Church in America in numerous national roles, including Chairman of the Department of Finance, Vice-Chairman of the Department of Missions, and Chairman of the Pension Board. He represented the Orthodox Church in America abroad on many occasions and took part in historic gatherings, such as the 1994 Ligonier Meeting of Orthodox bishops in North America.

On July 22, 2002, the Holy Synod elected him as the successor to His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius [Lazor] (+10/19/20), and he was enthroned as Metropolitan Herman on September 8, 2002, at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C. As Primate, he bore the responsibility of uniting the Archdiocese of Washington and New York and continued to represent the Orthodox Church in America nationally and internationally. Well known as a defender of the sanctity of life, he regularly led Orthodox participation in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Following his retirement in 2008, Metropolitan Herman spent his remaining years in quiet prayer at St. Tikhon’s Monastery, a place deeply intertwined with his life and decades of service to the Church. His Beatitude is remembered not only as the second American-born Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, but also as a devoted teacher, mentor, pastor, and spiritual father to generations of seminarians, clergy, and faithful.

His Beatitude fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.

To some, he was a peer; to many, a teacher and mentor; to others, their bishop; and to countless clergy and faithful alike, a beloved spiritual father. His memory remains especially cherished by those who studied under his guidance at St. Tikhon’s Seminary and by the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania. His profound love for the divine services, his devotion to the Church, and his steadfast commitment to Orthodox Christian education will not soon be forgotten. His enduring legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened, the clergy he helped form, and the countless lives he touched through his faithful service to Christ and His Holy Church.

On the fourth anniversary of his repose, we, as a Diocese, pray that his memory will be eternal! Вечная память!