Nikolai (Velimirovich).
Saint Nicholas of Serbia (Velimirovich), Bishop of Ohrid and Zhich (1880 - 1956)
The future saint was born December 23, 1880 in a peasant family in the very center of Serbia. His native village of Lelich is located near Valjevo. The parents of the future bishop, the peasants Dragomir and Katarina, were pious people and enjoyed the respect of their neighbors. Their firstborn was baptized with the name Nikola in Chelie Monastery shortly after birth. His early childhood was spent in his parents' house, where in the company of brothers and sisters the boy grew up, strengthening his spirit and body and receiving his first lessons in piety. The mother often took her son on a pilgrimage to the monastery, the first experience of communion with God was firmly imprinted in the child's soul.
Later, his father took Nikola to the same monastery to learn to read and write. Already in early childhood, the boy showed extraordinary abilities and zeal for learning. According to the memoirs of contemporaries, during his school years, Nikola often preferred solitude to children's fun. At school breaks, he ran to the monastery bell tower and indulged in reading and prayer there. While studying at the gymnasium in Valjevo, he was one of the best students. At the same time, he had to take care of his daily bread on his own. In parallel with his studies, he, like many of his peers, served in the homes of the townspeople.
At the end of the 6th grade of the gymnasium, Nikola wanted to first enter the Military Academy, but the medical commission found him unfit for officer service. Then he applied and was admitted to the Belgrade Seminary. Here Nikola quickly stood out for his academic success, which was a direct result of his hard work and diligence, so necessary for the disclosure of God-given talents. Always mindful of how great a sin it would be to bury God's talent, he worked tirelessly to increase it. During his studies, he read not only educational literature, but also got acquainted with many classical works belonging to the treasury of world literature. With his oratorical skills and the gift of words, Nikola amazed the students and teachers of the seminary. During his studies, he took part in the publication of the Christian Evangelist newspaper, where he published his articles. At the same time, during his seminary years, Nikola endured extreme poverty and deprivation, the result of which was a physical ailment from which he suffered for several years.
After graduating from the seminary, he taught in villages not far from Valyev, where he got even closer acquainted with the life and spiritual disposition of his people. At this time, he was close friends with the priest Savva Popovich and helped him in his ministry. On the advice of a doctor, Nikola spent his summer holidays by the sea, where he got acquainted with the shrines of the Adriatic coast of Montenegro and Dalmatia. Over time, the impressions received in these parts were reflected in his early works.
Soon, by decision of the church hierarchy, Nikola Velimirovic became one of the state scholarship holders and was sent to study abroad. So he ended up at the Old Catholic Theological Faculty in Bern (Switzerland), where in 1908 he defended his doctoral dissertation on the topic "Faith in the Resurrection of Christ as the Basic Dogma of the Apostolic Church." The following year, 1909, he spent at Oxford, where he prepared a dissertation on the philosophy of Berkeley, which he then defended in French in Geneva.
In the best European universities, he eagerly absorbed knowledge, acquiring over the years an excellent education for that time. Thanks to his original thinking and phenomenal memory, he managed to enrich himself with a lot of knowledge and then find a worthy application for it.
In the autumn of 1909, Nikola returned to his homeland, where he fell seriously ill. He spends six weeks in the hospital chambers, but, despite the mortal danger, hope in the will of God does not leave the young ascetic for a minute. At this time, he makes a vow that, in case of recovery, he will take monastic tonsure and devote his life without a trace to diligent service to God and the Church. Indeed, having recovered and leaving the hospital, he soon became a monk with the name Nikolai and December 20, 1909 was ordained to the priesthood.
After some time, the Serbian Metropolitan Dimitry (Pavlovich) sent Father Nikolai to Russia so that he would become better acquainted with the Russian church and theological tradition. The Serbian theologian spends a year in Russia, visiting its numerous shrines and becoming more familiar with the spiritual dispensation of a Russian person. Staying in Russia had a huge impact on the worldview of Father Nikolai.
After returning to Serbia, he teaches philosophy, logic, psychology, history and foreign languages at the Belgrade Seminary. His activities are not limited only to the walls of the spiritual school. He writes a lot and publishes his articles, talks and studies on various philosophical and theological topics in various publications. The young learned hieromonk gives talks and lectures throughout Serbia, thanks to which he becomes widely known. His speeches and conversations are devoted, first of all, to various moral aspects of people's life. The unusual and original oratorical manner of Father Nikolai especially attracts the Serbian intelligentsia.
Father Nikolai, who took an active part in public life, aroused surprise and respect among many. Not only in Belgrade, but also in other Serbian regions, they began to talk about an educated interlocutor and speaker. In 1912 he was invited to the celebrations in Sarajevo. His arrival and speeches inspired enthusiasm among the Serbian youth of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here he met the best representatives of the local Serbian intelligentsia. The bright and bold statements of Father Nicholas could not go unnoticed by the Austrian authorities who ruled Bosnia and Herzegovina. On his way back to Serbia, he was detained for several days at the border, and the following year the Austrian authorities did not allow him to come to Zagreb to participate in the celebrations dedicated to the memory of Metropolitan Peter (Petrovich-Negosh). However, his welcoming speech was nevertheless handed over and read to the audience.
The labors of Father Nicholas for the benefit of his people multiplied when, at the beginning of the 20th century, Serbia again embarked on the thorny path of liberation wars. During the Balkan and World War I, Hieromonk Nikolay not only closely followed the developments at the front and in the rear and made speeches supporting and strengthening the Serbian people in their struggle, but also directly participated in helping the injured, wounded and destitute. He donated his salary until the end of the war to the needs of the state. There is a known case when Hieromonk Nikolai took part in a bold operation of the Serbian troops at the beginning of the First World War. According to the memoirs of General Djukic, in September 1914, the priest, together with Serbian soldiers, landed on the opposite bank of the Sava River and even took command of a small detachment for a short time during the short-term liberation of Zemun.
However, as a diplomat and orator who spoke several European languages, Hieromonk Nicholas could bring much more benefit to the Serbian people in their unequal and desperate struggle. In April 1915, he was sent by the Serbian government to the United States and Great Britain, where he worked selflessly for the benefit of Serbian national interests. With his characteristic wisdom and eloquence, Father Nikolai tried to convey to the Western allies the true picture of the suffering of the Serbian people. He constantly lectured in temples, universities and other public places, thus making an invaluable contribution to the salvation and liberation of his people. He managed to ideologically unite not only the Orthodox, but also Roman Catholics, Uniates and Protestants, who were increasingly inclined towards the idea of fighting for the liberation and unification of the South Slavic peoples.
Not least thanks to the activities of Father Nicholas, a considerable number of volunteers from abroad went to fight in the Balkans, so that the statement of one English officer that Father Nicholas "was the third army" can be considered quite fair.
March 25, 1919 Hieromonk Nikolai was elected Bishop of Zhichsky, and already at the end of 1920 he was transferred to the Ohrid diocese. Precisely as Bishop of Ohrid and Zhich, Bishop Nikolai developed his activities in all areas of church life to the fullest extent, leaving no theological and literary works behind.
Without a doubt, ancient Ohrid, the cradle of Slavic writing and culture, made a special impression on Bishop Nicholas. It was here, in Ohrid, that a deep inner change took place in the saint, which from that time on was especially evident. This inner spiritual rebirth manifested itself outwardly in many ways: in speeches, deeds and creations.
Faithfulness to patristic traditions and life according to the Gospel attracted believers to him. Unfortunately, even now many enemies and slanderers did not leave the lord. But he overcame their malice with his open heart, life and deeds before the face of God.
Vladyka Nicholas, like Saint Sava, gradually became the true conscience of his people. Orthodox Serbia accepted Bishop Nicholas as its spiritual leader. The fundamental works of the saint belong to the period of the bishopric in Ohrid and Zic. At this time, he actively maintains contact with ordinary believers and the Bogomoltsy movement, restores abandoned shrines, dilapidated monasteries of the Ohrid-Bitola and Zhichsky dioceses, puts cemeteries and monuments in order, and supports charitable undertakings. A special place in his work is occupied by work with the children of the poor and orphans.
The orphanage he founded for poor and orphaned children in Bitola is well known - the famous "Grandfather Bogdai". Orphanages and orphanages were opened by Bishop Nicholas in other cities as well, so that they contained about 600 children. It can be said that Bishop Nicholas was a great renovator of the gospel, liturgical, ascetic and monastic life in the traditions of Orthodox Tradition.
He also made a considerable contribution to the unification of all parts of the Serbian Church on the territory of the newly formed kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (since 1929 - the Kingdom of Yugoslavia).
Bishop Nicholas has repeatedly performed various church and state missions. On January 21, 1921, Vladyka again arrived in the United States, where he spent the next six months. During this time, he held about 140 lectures and talks at the most famous American universities, parishes and missionary communities. Everywhere he was received with special warmth and love. Vladyka's special concern was the state of church life in the local Serbian community. Upon his return to his homeland, Vladyka Nicholas prepared and presented to the Council of Bishops a special report in which he described in detail the state of affairs in the Serbian Orthodox community on the North American continent. On September 21, 1921 of the same year, he was appointed the first Serbian Bishop-Administrator of the United States and Canada and carried this obedience until 1923. Vladyka takes the initiative to build the monastery of St. Sava in Libertville.
The bishop visited the American continent and later. In 1927, at the invitation of the American Yugoslav Society and a number of other public organizations, he again came to the United States and lectured at the Political Institute in Williamstown. During his two-month stay, he again gave talks in the Episcopal and Orthodox Churches, at Princeton University and the Federal Council of Churches.
In June 1936, Bishop Nikolai was again appointed to the Diocese of Zhich, one of the oldest and largest in the Serbian Church. Under him, the diocese is experiencing a real revival. Many ancient monasteries are being renovated, new temples are being built. The Zica Monastery, which is of inestimable importance for the Serbian Church and history, became a subject of special concern for him. Here, through the efforts of Bishop Nicholas, an active reconstruction was launched with the participation of well-known specialists and architects. In the period from 1935 to 1941, the church of St. Sava with a folk refectory, a cemetery church with a bell tower, a new episcopal building and many other buildings were built here, most of which, unfortunately, died during the bombing of the monastery in 1941.
Because of the policy of the government of Stojadinović in old Yugoslavia, St. Nicholas was forced to intervene in the well-known fight against the signing of the concordat between the Yugoslav government and the Roman Catholic Church. The victory in this struggle and the cancellation of the concordat was largely the merit of Bishop Nicholas.
On the eve of World War II, the saint, together with Patriarch Gabriel of Serbia, played a significant role in the abolition of the government's anti-people pact with Nazi Germany, thanks to which he was loved by the people and especially hated by the occupiers. In the spring of 1941, shortly after Germany and its allies attacked Yugoslavia, the saint was arrested by the Germans.
At the time of the attack by Germany and its allies and the subsequent rapid occupation of Yugoslavia in April 1941, Bishop Nicholas was in his episcopal residence in the Zica monastery near Kraljevo. Immediately after the establishment of the occupation regime in Belgrade, German officers began to come to Zhicha, conduct searches and interrogate Bishop Nicholas. The Germans considered the Serbian saint an Anglophile and even an English spy. Despite the fact that no direct evidence of cooperation between the Bishop and the British was found, the Germans forced him to submit a petition to the Holy Synod for release from the administration of the Zica diocese. This request was soon granted.
The very presence of Bishop Nicholas in Zhicz caused concern among the Germans. On July 12, 1941, Vladyka was transferred to the Lubostinyu Monastery, where he spent almost a year and a half. The period of seclusion in Lyubostino became quite fruitful for Vladyka Nikolai in terms of creativity. Having involuntarily freed himself from administrative duties, the saint directed all his energy to writing new works. He wrote so much here that there was always a problem finding paper.
Despite the fact that Vladyka was removed from administration, in Lyubostino he still had to participate in the life of the diocese. The clergy who came to see the bishop informed him of the state of affairs and received instructions and orders from him. These visits aroused suspicion among the Germans. In Lubostin, the Gestapo continued to interrogate Vladyka. The Germans at the same time tried to use the authority of the lord for their propaganda purposes, but the wise bishop rejected their crafty proposals and managed to remain uninvolved in their plans.
Despite house arrest, the saint did not remain indifferent to the fate of his beloved flock. In the autumn of 1941, the Germans carried out mass arrests and executions of the male population in Kraljevo. Upon learning of the tragedy that had broken out, Bishop Nicholas, despite the official ban, reached the city at the risk of his life and personally turned to the German commandant with a request to stop the bloodshed.
A heavy blow for Vladyka was the German bombardment of the Zica monastery, when the entire western wall of the Church of the Ascension of the Lord was almost completely destroyed. At the same time, all the monastery buildings, including the episcopal residence, perished.
In connection with the aggravation of the situation, the presence of Bishop Nicholas became more and more problematic for the Germans. They decided to transfer the prisoner to a more remote and safe place, which was chosen as the monastery of Vojlovitsa near Pancevo in northwestern Serbia.
In mid-December 1942, he was transferred to Vojlovitsa, where Patriarch Gabriel of Serbia was later brought. The mode of stay in the new place was much harsher. Constant guards were assigned to the prisoners, windows and doors were constantly closed, it was forbidden to receive visitors and mail. The prisoners, including Bishop Nicholas, were almost completely isolated from the outside world. Once a month, Captain Mayer, who was in charge of religious matters and contacts with the Serbian Patriarchate, came to meet with the prisoners. The Germans opened the church and allowed to celebrate the Divine Liturgy only on Sundays and holidays. Only prisoners could attend the service. Despite strict isolation, the news of Vladyka Nikolai's presence in the monastery quickly spread throughout the region. Residents of the surrounding villages repeatedly tried to get into the monastery for worship, but this was prevented by the guards.
Vladyka Nikolay did not leave his labors in Vojlovice. He undertook the editing of the Serbian translation of the New Testament, made at the time by Vuk Karadzic. Having provided himself with the most authoritative translations of the New Testament in other foreign languages, he set to work together with Hieromonk Vasily (Kostich). Almost two years spent in Wojlovice were devoted to this work. As a result, the updated edition of the New Testament was completed. In addition to correcting the New Testament, Vladyka filled entire notebooks with various teachings, poems, and songs, which he dedicated to various clergy and people dear to his heart. According to eyewitnesses, Vladyka cut out obituaries of the dead with photographs from Belgrade newspapers and constantly prayed for the repose of their souls.
From those days, the “Prayer Canon” and “Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos of Voilovachskaya” written by Bishop Nikolai in one notebook, as well as “Three Prayers in the Shadow of German Bayonets” written later in Vienna, have survived.
On September 14, 1944, Bishop Nicholas and Patriarch Gabriel of Serbia were sent from Vojlovica to the Dachau concentration camp, where they remained until the end of the war.
On May 8, 1945, they were both liberated by American troops. After his release from the concentration camp, the saint did not return to his homeland, where the communists came to power. Moreover, he was recorded by the new authorities in the ranks of the people's traitors, his name for many years became the object of dirty slander.
Nevertheless, the Serbian people followed with attention the activities of the saint abroad, listening with love to his oral and written word. The works of the saint were read and multiplied, retold and remembered for a long time. Wealth in God - that's what captivated the soul of the Serb in the lord. In his heart, the saint continued all his life to make a warm prayer for his people and Motherland.
Despite the deterioration of his health, Vladyka Nikolai found strength for missionary work and church work, traveled across the expanses of the USA and Canada, encouraging the faint-hearted, reconciling the warring and teaching the truths of the gospel faith and life to many souls seeking God. Orthodox and other Christians in America highly valued his missionary work, so that he is rightfully numbered among the host of apostles and missionaries of the New Continent. St. Nicholas continued his writing and theological activity in America both in Serbian and in English. He tried, as much as possible, to help Serbian monasteries and some acquaintances in his homeland, sending modest parcels and donations.
In the USA, Vladyka Nicholas taught at the Seminary of St. Sava in Libertyville Monastery, the Academy of St. Vladimir in New York, and at the Russian Seminaries - Holy Trinity in Jordanville and St. Tikhon in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.
Vladyka Nikolai devoted all his free time from work at the seminary to scientific and literary works, which represent the most outstanding and rich side of his activity during his stay in America. It was here that the talents given to him from God were best manifested: the breadth of knowledge, learning and diligence. When one gets acquainted with this aspect of Vladyka's activity, one is struck by his extraordinary fruitfulness. He wrote a lot, wrote constantly and on various issues. His pen knew no rest, and it often happened that he wrote several works at the same time. The saint left a rich literary heritage.
At home, the Yugoslav communists did not forget about the lord. It is known that when a new patriarch was elected in 1950, the name of the saint was on the list of those bishops who, in the opinion of the authorities, should under no circumstances be admitted as candidates for the patriarchal throne. Among other Serbian bishops, Vladyka was listed as an ardent opponent of the communist regime. By decision of the communist authorities, Bishop Nicholas was deprived of Yugoslav citizenship, which finally put an end to the possibility of his return to his homeland. Nevertheless, the Holy Synod informed him annually of the upcoming Bishops' Councils, to which he could no longer attend.
Vladyka spent the last months of his life in a Russian monastery in South Canaan (Pennsylvania). The day before his repose, he served the Divine Liturgy and took communion of the holy mysteries of Christ. The saint peacefully departed to the Lord early in the morning on Sunday March 18, 1956. From the monastery of St. Tikhon, his body was transferred to the monastery of St. Sava in Libertyville and on March 27, 1956, he was buried near the altar of the church in the presence of a large number of Serbs and other Orthodox believers from all over America. In Serbia, in response to the news of the death of Bishop Nicholas, bells rang in many churches and monasteries and commemorations were served.
Despite communist propaganda, the veneration of Vladyka Nikolai grew in his homeland, and his works were published abroad. Father Justin (Popovich) was the first among the Serbian people to speak openly about St. Nicholas as a saint back in 1962, and St. John (Maximovich) of San Francisco, back in 1958, called him “the great hierarch, Chrysostom of our days and the ecumenical teacher of Orthodoxy” .
The relics of St. Nicholas were transported from the USA to Serbia on May 5, 1991, where they were met at the airport by the Serbian Patriarch Pavle, numerous bishops, clergy, monastics and people. A solemn meeting was arranged in the church of St. Sava on Vracar, and then in the Zhichsky monastery, from where the relics were transferred to his native village of Lelich and laid in the church of St. Nicholas of Myra.
May 19, 2003 The Council of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church unanimously decided to canonize Bishop Nikolai (Velimirovich) of Zhichsky. By the definition of the Council, his memory is celebrated on March 18 (on the day of repose) and on April 20 / May 3 (on the day of the transfer of relics). The general church glorification of the saint of God, St. Nicholas, Bishop of Ohrid and Zhich, took place on May 24, 2003 in the church of St. Sava on Vracar.
(1880–1956)
Spiritual Quest
Saint Nicholas of Serbia (worldly name - Nikola Velimirovic) was born on the territory of Western Serbia, in the village of Lelich, into a large peasant family, on December 23, 1880.
Nikola's parents, Dragomir and Ekaterina, were easy-going people, deeply pious. Children (there were nine in total) were brought up in mutual love, in the spirit of Christian traditions.
Taking care of the proper education of Nikola, his parents sent him to study at the school at the Chelie monastery. Here he was able to show his talents and achieve the first successes.
Then he was enrolled in the Valjevo Gymnasium, and after graduating from it, he continued his education at the Belgrade Seminary.
For good academic achievements, Nikola was awarded a scholarship, which allowed him to continue his studies in Bern, at the Old Catholic Faculty.
He studied very willingly, responsibly and diligently. At the age of 28, he was honored to earn the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Not wanting to stop there, Nikola Velimirovic entered the University of Oxford, the Faculty of Philosophy. The result of his studies there was the defense of another doctorate, philosophical.
monastic path
When he returned to the Fatherland, he was hired by the Belgrade Seminary. Here he was engaged in teaching activities. Thanks to his brilliant preparedness and ability to present the material in an accessible form, he was respected among the students.
In addition to teaching, Nikola Velimirovic actively collaborated with church publications: they published articles of various religious orientations.
When he suffered a serious illness, he made a vow that if he recovered, he would devote his life to God. And so it happened: the disease, unexpectedly for others, receded; and Nikola accepted monasticism and a new name - Nikolai. The tonsure took place in the monastery of Rakovits (Rakovitsa).
In 1910, Father Nikolai became a student at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. At the same time, he did not inform the administration that he graduated from two prominent European universities.
While studying at the academy, he behaved modestly, but his education spoke for itself. He more than once aroused the surprise of the teaching staff, and at one of the academic evenings he so amazed the audience with his speech that he aroused universal admiration and delight.
At the same time, he attracted the attention of Bishop Anthony (Vadkovsky), Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga. After this incident, Vladyka procured an allowance for Father Nikolai so that he could go on a trip around the country. The journey helped him get to know the Russian people better. Subsequently, he spoke about Russia with warmth and love.
Upon the return of Father Nicholas to Serbia, the First World War broke out. During the war, he repeatedly visited the locations of military units, strengthened the faith of Serbian soldiers as best he could, inspired them to feats of arms, confessed, communed the Holy Mysteries. In addition, caring for his compatriots, he regularly donated his salary to the needs of the wounded.
It is surprising that after the end of the war, Father Nikolai predicted the ignition of another large-scale conflict in the future. One of the central reasons for this conflict, he considered the removal of Europeans from God.
episcopal ministry
In 1920 Father Nikolai was ordained Bishop of Ohrid. At this stage of his ministry, he devoted himself to monastic work with even greater zeal, preached a lot, regularly participated in divine services, and was engaged in literary work.
Controlling the clergy entrusted to him and the state of affairs, he constantly moved around the territory of his diocese, visiting the most distant parishes. During such travels, he got acquainted with the needs of the inhabitants and, as far as possible, provided them with proper hierarchal assistance: he contributed to the restoration of churches destroyed as a result of the war, helped monasteries, and organized orphanages.
In 1924, with the blessing of his superiors, the saint took over the American diocese (which had functioned under the Serbian Patriarchate) under temporary administration. He carried out this mission until 1926.
In connection with the cooling of many Serbs towards Christian duties, as well as in order to counteract the growing sectarian sentiments in the country, the saint organized and personally led a movement aimed at activating the population in the field of church activity. This movement was given the characteristic name "Philanthropic". Soon it covered the entire territory of Serbia.
In 1934, Nikolai Serbsky was elevated to the Zhichsky cathedra. Here, as in the Ohrid diocese, he was engaged in enlightenment, streamlining church life, regulating the activities of monasteries.
Much effort has been put into restoring the churches. The special merit of the saint was his contribution to the renewal of the ancient monastery "Zhicha", one of the most famous centers of spirituality and Orthodox culture.
War and post-war years
During the Second World War, the saint, by order of the command of the occupying forces, was limited in freedom. There is evidence that at the end of 1942 he was imprisoned in the monastery of Voylovitsa. Despite the difficulties, here he managed to serve as a priest and work.
Later, he ended up with the Serbian Patriarch in one of the most terrible concentration camps: in the fascist Dachau. All the time he was there, he was saved by prayer, hope and hope in Divine Providence.
In May 1945, the saint was released from prison by the allied troops (the American army).
By that time, atheists had come to power in Yugoslavia. No matter how much Nikolai Serbsky wanted to return to serve in his homeland, no matter how much he grieved for the Fatherland, the circumstances favored something else.
By the will of God, he ended up in America, in the status of an emigrant. Here he continued to preach about Christ, participate in divine services, and engage in writing.
In his homeland, he was declared an accomplice of the invaders (despite the fact that he himself suffered a lot from them), and his literary works were placed under a strict censorship ban.
In the last days of his life, Nikolai Serbsky found shelter in the Russian Tikhonovsky Monastery (Pennsylvania). On March 18, 1956, he reposed with a prayer on his lips.
The body of the saint was transferred with honors to the Serbian monastery of St. Sava (Illinois), and then buried in the local cemetery.
creative legacy
Saint Nicholas of Serbia is known as one of the most orthodox church thinkers. The list of his works is quite extensive. Among them, the most famous are:,
Saint Nicholas of Serbia (Nikolai Velimirovich) - Bishop of Ohrid and Zhichsky, a prominent theologian and religious philosopher.
Saint Nicholas was born in the village of Lelic, near the Serbian town of Valjevo, on January 5, 1881, according to the new style. After graduating from the theological and pedagogical school, he taught for some time. In 1904 he left to continue his education in Switzerland and England. He defended his doctorate in philosophy and theology in Bern. In 1909 he took monastic vows at the Rakovica Monastery near Belgrade. For several years he taught philosophy, psychology, logic, history and foreign languages at the Belgrade Theological Academy.
During the First World War, he lectured in America and England, the collection from which went to help his compatriots, thereby supporting his homeland. In 1919 he was consecrated Bishop of Zhichsky, and in 1920 - in Ohrid, where he served until 1934. Then he returned to Zhicha, where he stayed until 1941. At the beginning of World War II, together with Patriarch Gabriel, he was imprisoned by the Germans in the Rakovitsa monastery, then transferred to Wojlitsa and finally to the Dachau concentration camp. He went through terrible pain. But the Lord saved him, and after his release, Nikolai Velimirovich moved to America, where he was engaged in educational and theological activities.
Passed away to the Lord on March 18, 1956 in Pennsylvania. He was buried in Libertyville. On May 12, 1991, his holy relics were transferred to his native Lelich.
Books (6)
Bible Topics
In the book offered to the reader, St. Nicholas collected his reflections and pastoral instructions to Christians, based on the thoughts and images that we find in the Bible, both in its Old and New Testaments.
He conveys the truths of spiritual life to everyone in simple and understandable examples, thereby teaching us to see and hear God in the most ordinary objects around us, people's actions, and events. It turns out that a Christian can also receive spiritual benefit from reading newspapers - if at the same time he constantly turns mentally to the Holy Scriptures and asks the question about the meaning of what is described from the point of view of God's Providence.
I believe. The faith of educated people
The title of this small book by the outstanding Serbian archpastor and theologian St. Nicholas (Velimirovich; 1881-1956) may surprise some: "The Faith of Educated People."
However, in reality, giving such a title to his work, which is a living and patristic inspired explanation of the Orthodox Creed, the author wanted to bring to the reader's consciousness one very important thought. A truly educated person, in his opinion, is not the one who is rich in knowledge, but who is "educated internally, with all his heart, with all his being, who is conformed to the image of God, who is Christ-like, transfigured, renewed, burned." Therefore, without a doubt, we can say that the faith of Orthodox Christians is in fact the faith of educated people.
Indian letters
"Indian letters" of St. Nicholas of Serbia is another gem from the richest literary heritage left by this remarkable church writer of the past century, with whom the Russian reader is acquainted today.
The genre chosen in this case by the saint is very original. This is a surprisingly deep, heartfelt correspondence in which his characters take part, very different people: Indian brahmins and kshatriyas, Serbian scientists, Muslim Arabs, a monk from the Holy Mountain. They are united by one thing - love for each other and a sincere desire to find the truth in God, save your soul, serve the salvation of your neighbors. Both the circumstances of their lives, and the events taking place in it, reflected in the letters, all testify to the fact that both the sought-after truth and salvation can be found only in Christ. And the rest of the paths all lead to nowhere, to some kind of terrible dead end, from which it is already impossible to get out on your own.
Prayers at the lake
In the book Prayers by the Lake, Vladyka Nikolai is revealed as a theologian, as a poet, and as a preacher.
“Prayers by the Lake” is a hundred psalms sung by a man of the twentieth century - a century ideologized, technocratic, disfigured by wars - and how virginally pure these psalms are! The property of the Slavic soul to feel the perishability of everything worldly and at the same time - to discover God in all nature, to see His harmony everywhere, to look at the Creator through His creation - makes St. Nicholas of Serbia related to many Russian theologians and writers. The poetry of the language of "Prayers by the Lake", the ability to express all one's feelings through prayer, researchers rightly liken to the works of St. Simeon the New Theologian.
The future saint was born on December 23, 1880, into a peasant family in the very center of Serbia. His native village of Lelich is located near Valjevo. The parents of the future bishop, the peasants Dragomir and Katarina, were pious people and enjoyed the respect of their neighbors. Their firstborn was baptized with the name Nikola in Chelie Monastery shortly after birth. His early childhood was spent in his parents' house, where in the company of brothers and sisters the boy grew up, strengthening his spirit and body and receiving his first lessons in piety. The mother often took her son on a pilgrimage to the monastery, the first experience of communion with God was firmly imprinted in the child's soul.
Later, his father took Nikola to the same monastery to learn to read and write. Already in early childhood, the boy showed extraordinary abilities and zeal for learning. According to the memoirs of contemporaries, during his school years, Nikola often preferred solitude to children's fun. At school breaks, he ran to the monastery bell tower and indulged in reading and prayer there. While studying at the gymnasium in Valjevo, he was one of the best students. At the same time, he had to take care of his daily bread on his own. In parallel with his studies, he, like many of his peers, served in the homes of the townspeople.
At the end of the 6th grade of the gymnasium, Nikola wanted to first enter the Military Academy, but the medical commission found him unfit for officer service. Then he applied and was admitted to the Belgrade Seminary. Here Nikola quickly stood out for his academic success, which was a direct result of his hard work and diligence, so necessary for the disclosure of God-given talents. Always mindful of how great a sin it would be to bury God's talent, he worked tirelessly to increase it. During his studies, he read not only educational literature, but also got acquainted with many classical works belonging to the treasury of world literature. With his oratorical skills and the gift of words, Nikola amazed the students and teachers of the seminary. During his studies, he took part in the publication of the Christian Evangelist newspaper, where he published his articles. At the same time, during his seminary years, Nikola endured extreme poverty and deprivation, the result of which was a physical ailment from which he suffered for several years.
After graduating from the seminary, he taught in villages not far from Valyev, where he got even closer acquainted with the life and spiritual disposition of his people. At this time, he was close friends with the priest Savva Popovich and helped him in his ministry. On the advice of a doctor, Nikola spent his summer holidays by the sea, where he got acquainted with the shrines of the Adriatic coast of Montenegro and Dalmatia. Over time, the impressions received in these parts were reflected in his early works.
Soon, by decision of the church hierarchy, Nikola Velimirovic became one of the state scholarship holders and was sent to study abroad. So he ended up at the Old Catholic Theological Faculty in Bern (Switzerland), where in 1908 he defended his doctoral dissertation on the topic "Faith in the Resurrection of Christ as the Basic Dogma of the Apostolic Church." The following year, 1909, he spent at Oxford, where he prepared a dissertation on the philosophy of Berkeley, which he then defended in French in Geneva.
In the best European universities, he eagerly absorbed knowledge, acquiring over the years an excellent education for that time. Thanks to his original thinking and phenomenal memory, he managed to enrich himself with a lot of knowledge and then find a worthy application for it.
In the autumn of 1909, Nikola returned to his homeland, where he fell seriously ill. He spends six weeks in the hospital chambers, but, despite the mortal danger, hope in the will of God does not leave the young ascetic for a minute. At this time, he makes a vow that, in case of recovery, he will take monastic tonsure and devote his life without a trace to diligent service to God and the Church. Indeed, having recovered and leaving the hospital, he soon became a monk with the name Nikolai and on December 20, 1909 he was ordained to the priesthood.
After some time, the Serbian Metropolitan Dimitry (Pavlovich) sent Father Nikolai to Russia so that he would become better acquainted with the Russian church and theological tradition. The Serbian theologian spends a year in Russia, visiting its numerous shrines and becoming more familiar with the spiritual dispensation of a Russian person. Staying in Russia had a huge impact on the worldview of Father Nikolai.
After returning to Serbia, he teaches philosophy, logic, psychology, history and foreign languages at the Belgrade Seminary. His activities are not limited only to the walls of the spiritual school. He writes a lot and publishes his articles, talks and studies on various philosophical and theological topics in various publications. The young learned hieromonk gives talks and lectures throughout Serbia, thanks to which he becomes widely known. His speeches and conversations are devoted, first of all, to various moral aspects of people's life. The unusual and original oratorical manner of Father Nikolai especially attracts the Serbian intelligentsia.
Father Nikolai, who took an active part in public life, aroused surprise and respect among many. Not only in Belgrade, but also in other Serbian regions, they began to talk about an educated interlocutor and speaker. In 1912 he was invited to the celebrations in Sarajevo. His arrival and speeches inspired enthusiasm among the Serbian youth of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here he met the best representatives of the local Serbian intelligentsia. The bright and bold statements of Father Nicholas could not go unnoticed by the Austrian authorities who ruled Bosnia and Herzegovina. On his way back to Serbia, he was detained for several days at the border, and the following year the Austrian authorities did not allow him to come to Zagreb to participate in the celebrations dedicated to the memory of Metropolitan Peter (Petrovich-Negosh). However, his welcoming speech was nevertheless handed over and read to the audience.
The labors of Father Nicholas for the benefit of his people multiplied when, at the beginning of the 20th century, Serbia again embarked on the thorny path of liberation wars. During the Balkan and World War I, Hieromonk Nikolay not only closely followed the developments at the front and in the rear and made speeches supporting and strengthening the Serbian people in their struggle, but also directly participated in helping the injured, wounded and destitute. He donated his salary until the end of the war to the needs of the state. There is a known case when Hieromonk Nikolai took part in a bold operation of the Serbian troops at the beginning of the First World War. According to the memoirs of General Djukic, in September 1914, the priest, together with Serbian soldiers, landed on the opposite bank of the Sava River and even took command of a small detachment for a short time during the short-term liberation of Zemun.
However, as a diplomat and orator who spoke several European languages, Hieromonk Nicholas could bring much more benefit to the Serbian people in their unequal and desperate struggle. In April 1915, he was sent by the Serbian government to the United States and Great Britain, where he worked selflessly for the benefit of Serbian national interests. With his characteristic wisdom and eloquence, Father Nikolai tried to convey to the Western allies the true picture of the suffering of the Serbian people. He constantly lectured in temples, universities and other public places, thus making an invaluable contribution to the salvation and liberation of his people. He managed to ideologically unite not only the Orthodox, but also Roman Catholics, Uniates and Protestants, who were increasingly inclined towards the idea of fighting for the liberation and unification of the South Slavic peoples.
Not least thanks to the activities of Father Nicholas, a considerable number of volunteers from abroad went to fight in the Balkans, so that the statement of one English officer that Father Nicholas "was the third army" can be considered quite fair.
On March 25, 1919, Hieromonk Nikolai was elected Bishop of Zhichsky, and already at the end of 1920 he was transferred to the Ohrid diocese. It was while heading the Ohrid and Zhich cathedras that Vladyka Nikolay developed his activities in all areas of church life to the fullest extent, leaving no theological and literary works behind.
Undoubtedly, ancient Ohrid, the cradle of Slavic literature and culture, made a special impression on Bishop Nicholas. It was here, in Ohrid, that a deep inner change took place in the saint, which from that time on was especially evident. This inner spiritual rebirth manifested itself outwardly in many ways: in speeches, deeds and creations.
Faithfulness to patristic traditions and life according to the Gospel attracted believers to him. Unfortunately, even now many enemies and slanderers did not leave the lord. But he overcame their malice with his open heart, life and deeds before the face of God.
Vladyka Nicholas, like Saint Sava, gradually became the true conscience of his people. Orthodox Serbia accepted Bishop Nicholas as its spiritual leader. The fundamental works of the saint belong to the period of the bishopric in Ohrid and Zic. At this time, he actively maintains contact with ordinary believers and the Bogomoltsy movement, restores abandoned shrines, dilapidated monasteries of the Ohrid-Bitola and Zhichsky dioceses, puts cemeteries and monuments in order, and supports charitable undertakings. A special place in his work is occupied by work with the children of the poor and orphans.
The orphanage he founded for poor and orphaned children in Bitola is well known - the famous "Grandfather Bogdai". Orphanages and orphanages were opened by Bishop Nicholas in other cities as well, so that they contained about 600 children. It can be said that Bishop Nicholas was a great renovator of the gospel, liturgical, ascetic and monastic life in the traditions of Orthodox Tradition.
He also made a considerable contribution to the unification of all parts of the Serbian Church on the territory of the newly formed kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (since 1929 - the Kingdom of Yugoslavia).
Bishop Nicholas has repeatedly performed various church and state missions. On January 21, 1921, Vladyka again arrived in the United States, where he spent the next six months. During this time, he held about 140 lectures and talks at the most famous American universities, parishes and missionary communities. Everywhere he was received with special warmth and love. Vladyka's special concern was the state of church life in the local Serbian community. Upon his return to his homeland, Vladyka Nicholas prepared and presented to the Council of Bishops a special report in which he described in detail the state of affairs in the Serbian Orthodox community on the North American continent. On September 21, 1921 of the same year, he was appointed the first Serbian Bishop-Administrator of the United States and Canada and carried this obedience until 1923. Vladyka takes the initiative to build the monastery of St. Sava in Libertville.
The bishop visited the American continent and later. In 1927, at the invitation of the American Yugoslav Society and a number of other public organizations, he again came to the United States and lectured at the Political Institute in Williamstown. During his two-month stay, he again gave talks in the Episcopal and Orthodox Churches, at Princeton University and the Federal Council of Churches.
In June 1936, Bishop Nikolai was again appointed to the Diocese of Zhich, one of the oldest and largest in the Serbian Church. Under him, the diocese is experiencing a real revival. Many ancient monasteries are being renovated, new temples are being built. The Zica Monastery, which is of inestimable importance for the Serbian Church and history, became a subject of special concern for him. Here, through the efforts of Bishop Nicholas, an active reconstruction was launched with the participation of well-known specialists and architects. In the period from 1935 to 1941, the church of St. Sava with a folk refectory, a cemetery church with a bell tower, a new episcopal building and many other buildings were built here, most of which, unfortunately, died during the bombing of the monastery in 1941.
Because of the policy of the government of Stojadinović in old Yugoslavia, St. Nicholas was forced to intervene in the well-known fight against the signing of the concordat between the Yugoslav government and the Roman Catholic Church. The victory in this struggle and the cancellation of the concordat was largely the merit of Bishop Nicholas.
On the eve of World War II, the saint, together with Patriarch Gabriel of Serbia, played a significant role in the abolition of the government's anti-people pact with Nazi Germany, thanks to which he was loved by the people and especially hated by the occupiers. In the spring of 1941, shortly after Germany and its allies attacked Yugoslavia, the saint was arrested by the Germans.
At the time of the attack by Germany and its allies and the subsequent rapid occupation of Yugoslavia in April 1941, Bishop Nicholas was in his episcopal residence in the Zica monastery near Kraljevo. Immediately after the establishment of the occupation regime in Belgrade, German officers began to come to Zhicha, conduct searches and interrogate Bishop Nicholas. The Germans considered the Serbian saint an Anglophile and even an English spy. Despite the fact that no direct evidence of cooperation between the Bishop and the British was found, the Germans forced him to submit a petition to the Holy Synod for release from the administration of the Zica diocese. This request was soon granted.
The very presence of Bishop Nicholas in Zhicz caused concern among the Germans. On July 12, 1941, Vladyka was transferred to the Lubostinyu Monastery, where he spent almost a year and a half. The period of seclusion in Lyubostino became quite fruitful for Vladyka Nikolai in terms of creativity. Having involuntarily freed himself from administrative duties, the saint directed all his energy to writing new works. He wrote so much here that there was always a problem finding paper.
Despite the fact that Vladyka was removed from administration, in Lyubostino he still had to participate in the life of the diocese. The clergy who came to see the bishop informed him of the state of affairs and received instructions and orders from him. These visits aroused suspicion among the Germans. In Lubostin, the Gestapo continued to interrogate Vladyka. The Germans at the same time tried to use the authority of the lord for their propaganda purposes, but the wise bishop rejected their crafty proposals and managed to remain uninvolved in their plans.
Despite house arrest, the saint did not remain indifferent to the fate of his beloved flock. In the autumn of 1941, the Germans carried out mass arrests and executions of the male population in Kraljevo. Upon learning of the tragedy that had broken out, Bishop Nicholas, despite the official ban, reached the city at the risk of his life and personally turned to the German commandant with a request to stop the bloodshed.
A heavy blow for Vladyka was the German bombardment of the Zica monastery, when the entire western wall of the Church of the Ascension of the Lord was almost completely destroyed. At the same time, all the monastery buildings, including the episcopal residence, perished.
In connection with the aggravation of the situation, the presence of Bishop Nicholas became more and more problematic for the Germans. They decided to transfer the prisoner to a more remote and safe place, which was chosen as the monastery of Vojlovitsa near Pancevo in northwestern Serbia.
In mid-December 1942, he was transferred to Vojlovitsa, where Patriarch Gabriel of Serbia was later brought. The mode of stay in the new place was much harsher. Constant guards were assigned to the prisoners, windows and doors were constantly closed, it was forbidden to receive visitors and mail. The prisoners, including Bishop Nicholas, were almost completely isolated from the outside world. Once a month, Captain Mayer, who was in charge of religious matters and contacts with the Serbian Patriarchate, came to meet with the prisoners. The Germans opened the church and allowed to celebrate the Divine Liturgy only on Sundays and holidays. Only prisoners could attend the service. Despite strict isolation, the news of Vladyka Nikolai's presence in the monastery quickly spread throughout the region. Residents of the surrounding villages repeatedly tried to get into the monastery for worship, but this was prevented by the guards.
Vladyka Nikolay did not leave his labors in Vojlovice. He undertook the editing of the Serbian translation of the New Testament, made at the time by Vuk Karadzic. Having provided himself with the most authoritative translations of the New Testament in other foreign languages, he set to work together with Hieromonk Vasily (Kostich). Almost two years spent in Wojlovice were devoted to this work. As a result, the updated edition of the New Testament was completed. In addition to correcting the New Testament, Vladyka filled entire notebooks with various teachings, poems, and songs, which he dedicated to various clergy and people dear to his heart. According to eyewitnesses, Vladyka cut out obituaries of the dead with photographs from Belgrade newspapers and constantly prayed for the repose of their souls.
From those days, the “Prayer Canon” and “Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos of Voilovachskaya” written by Bishop Nikolai in one notebook, as well as “Three Prayers in the Shadow of German Bayonets” written later in Vienna, have survived.
On September 14, 1944, Bishop Nicholas and Patriarch Gabriel of Serbia were sent from Vojlovica to the Dachau concentration camp, where they remained until the end of the war.
On May 8, 1945, they were both liberated by American troops. After his release from the concentration camp, the saint did not return to his homeland, where the communists came to power. Moreover, he was recorded by the new authorities in the ranks of the people's traitors, his name for many years became the object of dirty slander.
Nevertheless, the Serbian people followed with attention the activities of the saint abroad, listening with love to his oral and written word. The works of the saint were read and multiplied, retold and remembered for a long time. Wealth in God - that's what captivated the soul of the Serb in the lord. In his heart, the saint continued all his life to make a warm prayer for his people and Motherland.
Despite the deterioration of his health, Vladyka Nikolai found strength for missionary work and church work, traveled across the expanses of the USA and Canada, encouraging the faint-hearted, reconciling the warring and teaching the truths of the gospel faith and life to many souls seeking God. Orthodox and other Christians in America highly valued his missionary work, so that he is rightfully numbered among the host of apostles and missionaries of the New Continent. St. Nicholas continued his writing and theological activity in America both in Serbian and in English. He tried, as much as possible, to help Serbian monasteries and some acquaintances in his homeland, sending modest parcels and donations.
In the United States, Vladyka Nicholas taught at the Seminary of St. Sava in Libertyville Monastery, St. Vladimir's Academy in New York, and at Russian seminaries - Holy Trinity in Jordanville and St. Tikhon's in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.
Vladyka Nikolai devoted all his free time from work at the seminary to scientific and literary works, which represent the most outstanding and rich side of his activity during his stay in America. It was here that the talents given to him from God were best manifested: the breadth of knowledge, learning and diligence. When one gets acquainted with this aspect of Vladyka's activity, one is struck by his extraordinary fruitfulness. He wrote a lot, wrote constantly and on various issues. His pen knew no rest, and it often happened that he wrote several works at the same time. The saint left a rich literary heritage.
At home, the Yugoslav communists did not forget about the lord. It is known that when a new patriarch was elected in 1950, the name of the saint was on the list of those bishops who, in the opinion of the authorities, should under no circumstances be admitted as candidates for the patriarchal throne. Among other Serbian bishops, Vladyka was listed as an ardent opponent of the communist regime. By decision of the communist authorities, Bishop Nicholas was deprived of Yugoslav citizenship, which finally put an end to the possibility of his return to his homeland. Nevertheless, the Holy Synod informed him annually of the upcoming Bishops' Councils, to which he could no longer attend.
Vladyka spent the last months of his life in a Russian monastery in South Canaan (Pennsylvania). The day before his repose, he served the Divine Liturgy and took communion of the holy mysteries of Christ. The saint peacefully departed to the Lord early in the morning on Sunday, March 18, 1956. From the monastery of St. Tikhon, his body was transferred to the monastery of St. Sava in Libertyville and on March 27, 1956, he was buried near the altar of the church in the presence of a large number of Serbs and other Orthodox believers from all over America. In Serbia, in response to the news of the death of Bishop Nicholas, bells rang in many churches and monasteries and commemorations were served.
Despite communist propaganda, the veneration of Vladyka Nikolai grew in his homeland, and his works were published abroad. Father Justin (Popovich) was the first among the Serbian people to speak openly about St. Nicholas as a saint back in 1962, and St. John (Maximovich) of San Francisco, back in 1958, called him “the great hierarch, Chrysostom of our days and the ecumenical teacher of Orthodoxy” .
The relics of St. Nicholas were transported from the USA to Serbia on May 5, 1991, where they were met at the airport by the Serbian Patriarch Pavle, numerous bishops, clergy, monastics and people. A solemn meeting was arranged in the church of St. Sava on Vracar, and then in the Zhichsky monastery, from where the relics were transferred to his native village of Lelich and laid in the church of St. Nicholas of Myra.
On May 19, 2003, the Council of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church unanimously decided to canonize Bishop Nikolai (Velimirovich) of Zhichsky. By the definition of the Council, his memory is celebrated on March 18 (on the day of repose) and on April 20 / May 3 (on the day of the transfer of relics). The general church glorification of the saint of God, St. Nicholas, Bishop of Ohrid and Zhich, took place on May 24, 2003 in the church of St. Sava on Vracar.
On May 8, 2004, the first monastery in honor of St. Nicholas of Serbia was consecrated in the Shabac diocese. In this monastery there is a museum of the saint and the "House of Bishop Nicholas".
From , published by the publishing house of the Sretensky Monastery. You can buy the edition in the shop ".
In western Serbia, in a peasant family with nine children. He was sent by pious parents to a school at the monastery of Chelie ("Cell").
After graduating from the gymnasium in the city of Valjevo and the Belgrade Theological Seminary, Nikola Velimirović received a scholarship to study at the Old Catholic Faculty in Bern, where at the age of 28 he was awarded a doctorate in theology. The topic of his doctorate was: "Faith in the Resurrection of Christ as the main dogma of the Apostolic Church." Following this, Nikola Velimirovic brilliantly graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy at Oxford and is defending his second, this time philosophical, doctorate.
“The debt with which Russia obligated the Serbian people in the year is so huge that neither centuries nor generations can return it,” Bishop Nikolai wrote in the year. - This is the duty of love, which goes blindfolded to death, saving its neighbor .... The Russian Tsar and the Russian people, unprepared entering the war for the defense of Serbia, could not help but know that they were going to their death. But the love of Russians for their brothers did not recede in the face of danger and was not afraid of death. Will we ever dare to forget that the Russian Tsar, with his children and with millions of his brethren, went to death for the truth of the Serbian people? Shall we dare to remain silent before heaven and earth that our freedom and statehood cost Russia more than us? The morality of the world war, obscure, doubtful and contested from various sides, reveals itself in the Russian sacrifice for the Serbs in gospel clarity, certainty and indisputability.
Upon his return from Russia, Fr. Nikolai began to publish his serious literary works: "Conversations Under the Mountain", "Over Sin and Death", "The Religion of Negosh"...
Understanding the danger of sectarian propaganda, which was already gaining momentum, Bishop Nicholas led the so-called "prayer movement" among the Serbian people, designed to attract simple, often illiterate peasants living in remote mountain villages to the church. The "pilgrims" did not constitute any special organization. These were people who were ready not only to attend church regularly, but also to live every day according to the canons of their Orthodox faith, according to the Christian ways of their native country, captivating others with their example. The “prayerful” movement, which spread through the efforts of Vladyka throughout Serbia, can be called a popular religious awakening.
While in exile in America, Vladyka continued to serve and worked on new books - "The Harvests of the Lord", "The Land of Non-Gods", "The Only Lover of Man". He was also concerned with sending aid to war-torn Serbia. At this time, all his literary works in his homeland were banned and slandered, and he himself, a prisoner of a fascist concentration camp, was turned by communist propaganda into an "employee of the invaders."
Bishop Nicholas died peacefully on March 18 in the Russian monastery of St. Tikhon in South Canaan (Pennsylvania). Death caught him praying.
veneration
From the Russian monastery, the body of Bishop Nicholas was transferred to the Serbian monastery of St. Sava in Libertville (Illinois, near Chicago) and buried with honors in the local cemetery. The last will of the bishop - to be buried in the Motherland - at that time, for obvious reasons, could not be fulfilled.
The glorification of St. Nicholas of Serbia, Zhichsky, as a locally venerated saint of the Shabatsko-Valevsky diocese, took place in the Lelich monastery on March 18 of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of October 6, the name of St. Nicholas was included in the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church with the celebration of his memory on April 20 (the day of the transfer of relics), as established in the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Prayers
Troparion, tone 8
The golden-mouthed preacher of the Resurrected Christ, the guide of the Serbian Crusader family for centuries, the euphonious lyre of the Holy Spirit, the word and love of the monks, the joy and praise of the priests, the teacher of repentance, the leader of the pilgrimage of the army of Christ, St. peace and unity to our kind.
Kontakion, tone 3
Serbian Lelich was born, you were the archpastor in Ohrid of St. Naum, you appeared from the throne of St. Sava in Zhichu, teaching and enlightening the people of God with the Holy Gospel. Thou hast brought many to repentance and love for Christ, thou hast endured Christ for the sake of passion in Dachau, and for this sake, holy, from Him thou art glorified, Nicholas, God's newly-appeared saint.
Video
Documentary "St. Nicholas of Serbia" 2005
Compositions
The collected works of the saint have fifteen volumes.
- Selected works on the site of the encyclopedia "Azbuka": http://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Nikolaj_Serbskij/
Literature
- Biography from the book "Glory and Pain of Serbia. About the Serbian New Martyrs". Moscow Compound of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra. 2002:
Used materials
- Priyma Ivan Fyodorovich. A word about the author // St. Nicholas of Serbia. Prayers by the lake SPb.1995. Page 3-8
- Biography on the portal Pravoslavie.Ru:
- Magazine No. 53, journals of the meetings of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of October 6, 2003:
- Rev. Blog Page
