Commemorated on March 18
Saint Nicholas of Zhicha, “the Serbian Chrysostom,” was born in
Lelich in western Serbia on January 4, 1881 (December 23, 1880 O.S.).
His parents were Dragomir and Katherine Velimirovich, who lived on a
farm where they raised a large family. His pious mother was a major
influence on his spiritual development, teaching him by word and
especially by example. As a small child, Nicholas often walked three
miles to the Chelije Monastery with his mother to attend services there.
Sickly
as a child, Nicholas was not physically strong as an adult. He failed
his physical requirements when he applied to the military academy, but
his excellent academic qualifications allowed him to enter the St Sava
Seminary in Belgrade, even before he finished preparatory school.
After
graduating from the seminary in 1905, he earned doctoral degrees from
the University of Berne in 1908, and from King’s College, Oxford in
1909. When he returned home, he fell ill with dysentery. Vowing to serve
God for the rest of his life if he recovered, he was tonsured at the
Rakovica Monastery on December 20, 1909 and was also ordained to the
holy priesthood.
In 1910 he went to study in Russia to prepare
himself for a teaching position at the seminary in Belgrade. At the
Theological Academy in St Petersburg, the Provost asked him why he had
come. He replied, “I wanted to be a shepherd. As a child, I tended my
father’s sheep. Now that I am a man, I wish to tend the rational flock
of my heavenly Father. I believe that is the way that has been shown to
me.” The Provost smiled, pleased by this response, then showed the young
man to his quarters.
After completing his studies, he returned to
Belgrade and taught philosophy, logic, history, and foreign languages
at the seminary. He spoke seven languages, and this ability proved very
useful to him throughout his life.
St Nicholas was renowned for
his sermons, which never lasted more than twenty minutes, and focused on
just three main points. He taught people the theology of the Church in a
language they could understand, and inspired them to repentance.
At
the start of World War I, Archimandrite Nicholas was sent to England on
a diplomatic mission to seek help in the struggle of the Serbs against
Austria. His doctorate from Oxford gained him an invitation to speak at
Westminster Abbey. He remained in England for three short months, but St
Nicholas left a lasting impression on those who heard him. His writings
“The Lord’s Commandments,” and “Meditations on the Lord’s Prayer”
impressed many in the Church of England.
Archimandrite Nicholas left England and went to America, where he proved to be a good ambassador for his nation and his Church.
The
future saint returned to Serbia in 1919, where he was consecrated as
Bishop of Zhicha, and was later transferred to Ochrid. The new hierarch
assisted those who were suffering from the ravages of war by
establishing orphanages and helping the poor.
Bishop Nicholas took
over as leader of Bogomljcki Pokret, a popular movement for spiritual
revival which encouraged people to pray and read the Bible. Under the
bishop’s direction, it also contributed to a renewal of monasticism.
Monasteries were restored and reopened, and this in turn revitalized the
spiritual life of the Serbian people.
In 1921, Bishop Nicholas
was invited to visit America again and spent two years as a missionary
bishop. He gave more than a hundred talks in less than six months,
raising funds for his orphanages. Over the next twenty years, he
lectured in various churches and universities.
When Germany
invaded Yugoslavia on April 6, 1941, Bishop Nicholas, a fearless critic
of the Nazis, was arrested and confined in Ljubostir Vojlovici
Monastery. In 1944, he and Patriarch Gavrilo were sent to the death camp
at Dachau. There he witnessed many atrocities and was tortured himself.
When American troops liberated the prisoners in May 1945, the patriarch
returned to Yugoslavia, but Bishop Nicholas went to England.
The
Communist leader Tito was just coming to power in Yugoslavia, where he
persecuted the Church and crushed those who opposed him. Therefore,
Bishop Nicholas believed he could serve the Serbian people more
effectively by remaining abroad. He went to America in 1946, following a
hectic schedule in spite of his health problems which were exacerbated
by his time in Dachau. He taught for three years at St Sava’s Seminary
in Libertyville, IL before he settled at St Tikhon’s Monastery in South
Canaan, PA in 1951.
He taught at St Tikhon’s and also served as
the seminary’s Dean and Rector. He was also a guest lecturer at St
Vladimir’s Seminary in NY, and at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville,
NY.
On Saturday March 17, 1956 Bishop Nicholas served his last
Liturgy. After the service he went to the trapeza and gave a short talk.
As he was leaving, he bowed low and said, “Forgive me, brothers.” This
was something unusual which he had not done before.
On March 18,
1956 St Nicholas fell asleep in the Lord Whom he had served throughout
his life. He was found in his room kneeling in an attitude of prayer.
Though he was buried at St Sava’s Monastery in Libertyville, IL, he had
always expressed a desire to be buried in his homeland. In April of 1991
his relics were transferred to the Chetinje Monastery in Lelich. There
he was buried next to his friend and disciple Fr Justin Popovich (+
1979).
English readers are familiar with St Nicholas’s PROLOGUE
FROM OCHRID, THE LIFE OF ST SAVA, A TREASURY OF SERBIAN SPIRITUALITY,
and other writings which are of great benefit for the whole Church. He
thought of his writings as silent sermons addressed to people who would
never hear him preach. In his life and writings, the grace of the Holy
Spirit shone forth for all to see, but in his humility he considered
himself the least of men.
Though he was a native of Serbia, St
Nicholas has a universal significance for Orthodox Christians in all
countries. He was like a candle set upon a candlestick giving light to
all (MT 5:15). A spiritual guide and teacher with a magnetic
personality, he attracted many people to himself. He also loved them,
seeing the image of God in each person he met. He had a special love for
children, who hastened to receive his blessing whenever they saw him in
the street.
He was a man of compunctionate prayer, and possessed the gift of tears which purify the soul (St John Climacus,
LADDER, Step 7). He was a true pastor to his flock protecting them from
spiritual wolves, and guiding them on the path to salvation. He has left
behind many soul-profiting writings which proclaim the truth of Christ
to modern man. In them he exhorts people to love God, and to live a life
of virtue and holiness. May we also be found worthy of the Kingdom of
Heaven through the prayers of St Nicholas, and by the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever. Amen.
TROPARION - TONE 8
O golden-tongued preacher proclaiming the risen Christ, / Everlasting
guide of the cross-bearing Serbian people, / Resounding harp of the Holy
Spirit, and dear to monastics who rejoice in you, / Pride and boast of
the priesthood, teacher of repentance, master for all nations, / Guide
of those in the army of Christ as they pray to God, / Holy Nicholas
teacher in America and pride of the Serbian people, / With all the
saints, implore the only Lover of mankind / To grant us peace and joy in
his heavenly kingdom!
TROPARION - TONE 4
In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, / an image
of humility and a teacher of abstinence; / your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you. / Hierarch Father Nicholai, / entreat Christ
our God / that our souls may be saved.
KONTAKION - TONE 3
Born at Lelich in Serbia, / you served as archpastor at the church of
Saint Nahum in Ochrid. / You presided on the throne of Saint Sava at
Zhicha, / teaching the people of God and enlightening them with the
Gospel, / bringing them to repentance and love for Christ. / And for His
sake you endured suffering at Dachau. / Therefore, Nicholai, we glorify
you as one newly well pleasing to God.
SOURCE:
SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2014(with 2013's link here also and further:, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and even 2008!):
Commemorated on March 31
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