Bishop Nicholas of Serbia. Saint Nicholas of Serbia

The twentieth century brought to the world many saints and spiritual teachers, among whom is Bishop Nicholas of Serbia (Velimirovich). His memory is celebrated on March 18, May 3 and September 12 according to the new style.

Biography of St. Nicholas of Serbia
The future saint of the Serbian Church was born in 1881 in the small village of Lelic, in the mountains in western Serbia. His parents were pious peasants who managed to instill in their children a deep faith and love for God. As a child, he studied at a monastery school, and after graduating from a gymnasium and a theological seminary in Belgrade, he entered the University of Bern, after which he defended his doctoral dissertation. Later he studied philosophy at Oxford. After graduation, Nikola Velimirovic returned to his native country and taught at the Belgrade Seminary, and also wrote articles on spiritual topics. Then he entered the brethren of the monastic monastery Rakovitsa.
Despite a brilliant European education, the future saint wished to deepen his spiritual knowledge, and with this intention in 1910 he entered the Theological Academy in St. Petersburg. During his stay in Russia, Hieromonk Nicholas also traveled, visiting holy places.
The return of Nikolai Velimirovic to Serbia coincided with the outbreak of the First World War, he made every effort to help the Serbian soldiers, confessing and communing them before the start of the battles, and also giving all his money to treat the wounded.
In 1920, Hieromonk Nikolai was ordained bishop of the diocese of Ohrid, and fourteen years later he became bishop of the diocese of Zhich.
During World War II and the occupation of Serbia, Bishop Nicholas was arrested and imprisoned in the Vojlovica monastery, and later sent to the Dachau concentration camp, where he stayed until 1945. Due to the fact that the communist regime of Tito was established in Serbia, Bishop Nicholas did not return to his homeland, but decided to go to the USA. St. Nicholas spent the rest of his life in the state of Pennsylvania, in the Russian monastery of St. Tikhon, where he died on March 18, 1956.

Canonization of St. Nicholas of Serbia
Even during the life of Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich, he used big love and respect from the people. His sacrificial service, selflessness and ardent preaching could not leave anyone indifferent. Therefore, soon after the death of the saint, he began to be revered as a locally revered saint. In 1991, the relics of Nicholas of Serbia were transferred to his native village, and on May 24, 2003, he was glorified in Belgrade as a saint.

Works of St. Nicholas
Bishop Nicholas, combining fiery faith and deep spirituality with a brilliant secular and church education, was a brilliant preacher, for which he received the name "new Chrysostom". However, his talent was manifested not only in sermons, but also in numerous works written by him during the time episcopal ministry. Very famous are the conversations of St. Nicholas on biblical topics, as well as on the festive Gospels, which refer to the exegetical creations of the church writer, that is, giving a theological interpretation of biblical texts. A special place in the work of St. Nicholas is occupied by missionary letters, in which he gives answers to numerous spiritual questions of believers. In these letters, written during a difficult period of war and devastation for Serbia, Bishop Nicholas tried to console and support his suffering people, strengthening their faith and spirit. Unfortunately, only a small part of the letters has come down to us, however, even in this heritage, every believer can draw spiritual benefit and comfort for himself.
For example, under the concept of human life, the saint meant, first of all, the life of the soul or spiritual life. The saint called Christians to uninterrupted labors in their own way. spiritual development in order to strive to be worthy of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the gift eternal life. Saint Nicholas compared the prayer of a person to God with the appeal of a child to his parents. He said that parents who are aware of the needs of their child expect a request from him, since the request makes the child's heart softer, fills him with humility, obedience and a sense of gratitude. Prayer to God inspires the soul and gives it even more useful properties.

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.

Greatness:
We magnify you, / Saint Father Nicholas, / and honor your holy memory / you pray for us / Christ our God.

Prayer (St. Nicholas of Serbia):
Lord, my beautiful cover, wipe away my tears
Who is it that looks at me so intently through all the stars of the sky and through all the creatures of the earth?
Close your eyes, heavenly stars and earthly creatures; turn away from my nakedness. Enough of the shame that burns my eyes.
What should you look at? On the tree of life, shriveled like a roadside thorn, stinging passers-by and itself? What should you look at? On the fire of heaven, smoldering in the mud, which does not go out and does not shine?
Plowman, your field is not important, but the Lord, who looks at your work.
Singer, your songs are not important, but the Lord, who listens to them.
Sleeper, it is not your sleep that matters, but the Lord who watches over it.
Not shallow coastal water is important - the lake is important.
What is human time, if not a wave that, having run away from the lake, repented that it had left it, because, surging on the hot sand, it dried up?
O stars, o creatures, do not look at me - at the All-Seeing Lord. He knows everything. Look at Him and see where your homeland is.
Why do you look at me - the image of your exile? To reflect your transience and temporality?
Lord, my most beautiful veil, adorned with golden Seraphim, cover me like a widow with a veil and collect my tears in it, in which the grief of all Your creatures boils.
Lord, my joy, be my guest, so that I would not be ashamed of my nakedness, so that the thirsty looks turned on me would no longer return to their homes thirsty.

In this section we publish aphorisms famous people who have made a unique contribution to world culture— about Christianity, history, love, freedom, work, faith, culture and much more. The project "Thoughts of the Great" continues with the sayings of St. Nicholas of Serbia - one of the most famous saints of the 20th century.

Biography of St. Nicholas of Serbia

Bishop of Ohrid and Zhich

Saint Nicholas was born on January 5 (December 23 according to the old style), 1881, in the village of Lelic, not far from the Serbian town of Valevo. He graduated from the local theological school, then in 1904 he continued to study in Switzerland, where he defended his doctoral dissertation.

In 1909 he took monastic vows at the Rakovica Monastery near Belgrade. He taught at the Belgrade Theological Academy. He lectured in America and England during the First World War.

In 1919 he was ordained Bishop of Zhiča, and a year later he accepted the diocese of Ohrid, where he served until 1934, when he again managed to return to Zhiča.

At the beginning of the Second World War, he was imprisoned in the Rakovica monastery, then in Wojlitsa, and finally ended up in the Dachau concentration camp. After his release, he moved to America, where he studied theology and enlightenment.

In 2003 at the Bishops' Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church numbered among the saints.

Saint Nicholas of Serbia: Sayings

God and Faith:

Lies separate us from God, and only lies ... False thoughts, false words, false feelings, false desires - this is the totality of lies leading us to non-existence, illusions and renunciation of God

As a person becomes morally cleansed, the truths of faith are revealed to him more and more clearly.

The sun is reflected in clear waters, and the sky - in pure heart.

People do not believe the faith preached by those of little faith.

The faith of Christ is an experience, a skill, and not a theory and not human wisdom.

That emptiness that remains in the soul when there is no God in it, and the whole world cannot fill it.

Do not rush to execute the atheist: he found his executioner in himself; the most merciless that can be in this world.

Of all the blessings on earth, people love life the most. They love it even more than truth, although without truth there is no life. Therefore, life is the highest good, and truth is the foundation of life.

Death is not natural, but unnatural.
And death comes not from nature, but against nature...
The protest of nature against death overcomes all far-fetched justifications for death.

Even worst person three times in his life he remembers God: when he sees a righteous man suffering through his fault, when he himself suffers sorrows through the fault of others, and when the hour of death comes for him.

Truth is revealed to love
To seek truth is to seek the object of love. To seek the truth in order to make it a tool is to seek the truth for the sake of adultery. For those who seek it for the sake of it, the truth throws a bone, but it itself runs from it to distant lands.

If a person opens his eyes and looks at himself, he will see God, if he closes them and peers into himself, he will see God again: both his body and his spirit carry within themselves and are two ways of knowing God.

Day and night
If you weave during the day and unravel at night, you will never weave.
If you build during the day and destroy at night, you will never build.
If you pray to God, but do evil before Him, you will never weave or build the house of your soul.

Good and evil:

Only the strong decide to do good.

From time immemorial, wolves have bullied sheep, but never a single sheep has bullied a wolf, but in the world there are always more sheep than wolves.

When evil will throw out and last card, goodness will keep one more in hand.

All the evil that people do under Heaven is a confession of weakness and impotence.

The Lord is looking for builders, not destroyers. For he who creates good destroys evil. And the one who sets out to destroy evil will quickly forget about the creation of good and turn into a villain.

Without perseverance in goodness, no one can feel true satisfaction with life. After all, on the way to good, you first taste the bitter and only then the sweet.

If an atheist challenges you, or madmen revile you, or embittered people persecute you, consider all this the work of the devil, for a person is by nature pious, intelligent and kind.

It is the devil who calls you to long arguments and fruitless conversations. Do a good deed in the name of Christ - and the devil will flee from you. Then you will deal with real people: pious, smart, kind.

No one under the sun is great, except that he believes in the final victory of good. However, without such faith, no one seriously believes in God either. These two faiths are related in the same way as sunlight and the sun.

Where there is courage, evil is a humble subject; where it does not exist, evil is the sovereign.

Evil we bring upon ourselves with the help of the same evil that lives in ourselves.

Sin:

In man, only sin is true evil, and outside of sin, evil does not exist.

It is not so much sin itself that should be feared, but its power over man.

It is difficult for a man not to sin, but he must make every effort to avoid being captivated by sin.

Only those who stand above death can rise above sin.
But the more one is afraid of death, the less one is afraid of sin.

What a horror if your day is what is outside, your night is what is inside!

Desire is the seed of sin.

Doubt and despair are two worms that develop from the larvae of sin.

Against the three unhealthy states of the soul, the holy apostle sets forth its three healthy qualities: against pride, humility; against anger, meekness; and against cowardice, long-suffering.

Hate evil, not the person who does evil because he is sick. If you can, treat this patient, and do not kill him with your contempt.

A sinner understands, endures and endures a sinner more easily than a righteous one.

Hostility and resentment:

A person hates the one against whom he sins. When a person guesses that so-and-so knows about his secret sin, then at first he is seized with fear of this secret witness. Fear quickly turns into hatred, and hatred completely blinds.

No one is so afraid of torment as the one who torments others.

Weakness:

Crime is always weakness. The criminal is a coward, not a hero. Therefore, always look at your offender as weaker; just as you will not take revenge on a small child, just do not take revenge on anyone for any offense. For it is not born of evil, but of weakness. So you will keep your strength and be like calm sea which will never overflow its banks to drown the reckless one who throws a stone at him.

Pride and Humility:

Pride is truly the daughter of stupidity...

Pride is like an inflated bubble bursting at the slightest touch of a needle. The slightest prick of fate turns her into despair.

It is sad not to dare to look in the mirror, but it is dangerous not to take your eyes off it.

Envy:

The first sin that manifested itself in the spirit world was envy.

Envy never appears under its true name.

Wealth:

Wealth is good when it can be turned into a good deed.

Wealth is evil when, instead of endowing a person with freedom, it places its owner in its service.

Those who did not know how to share wealth while they possessed it will have to learn to beg when it is taken from them.

Selfishness and altruism, love and mercy:

He who has learned to be grateful will learn to be merciful. A merciful person walks more freely in this world.

Living for the sake of others, we do not give up our own life, but, on the contrary, we expand its boundaries.

Heroism and selfishness:

Do not believe theories and talk about the law of selfishness. It does not exist. The Lord rules the world, and people are the race of God.
A person who jumps into a stream to save a drowning man destroys all these theories in an instant and stops such conversations.

When love fades, people seek justice.

People who do not see the world in themselves will not see their place in the world.

We are not just eyewitnesses of this life, we are all its participants. And because whatever happens in the world, it happens to me too.

This earth is small, but be great, so that by your growth you will make up for its insignificance.

Person:

The ignorant say that the legs carry the head, while the experts know the opposite: it is the head that carries the legs.

Good will in man it is a creative, versifying and singing force.

He who has great things also has small things.

No one is great unless they hold on to someone great.

Millions of his ancestors look at you through the eyes of every person. - Look and see!
They speak through his mouth. - Listen!

Each spirit reveals itself in its creation, and each creature expresses itself through its inherent action.

Neither an officer's uniform will make you brave, nor a priestly cassock - merciful, nor a judge's toga - just, nor a ministerial chair - strong, if your soul does not abound with either courage, or compassion, or righteousness, or strength.

The first hunger of man is the hunger for truth.
The second hunger of our soul is the hunger for truth.
Her third hunger is the hunger for purity.

Fear of yourself
He who has never been afraid of himself knows no fear. For all the external monsters that a person fears are within himself, and in undiluted essence.

Female:

If the whole truth is told, then we will have to admit that all evil entered this world through a woman, but the salvation of the world also came from the Woman.

Marriage:

God blessed the marriage first in Paradise and then in Cana [of Galilee]. In marriage, two flesh become one flesh, two temples of the Holy Spirit become one roof.

Upbringing:

The longer the mother cherishes and rocks her child in her arms, the later it begins to walk.

You shout loudly and viciously that the teaching of faith should be thrown out of school. Let young people talk about the bloody Nero and the savage Caligula to their heart's content, so long as they don't mention the saving name of Jesus Christ.

A life:

Days of defeat are harder to forget than days of victory.

Christianity:

There are three main gospel ideas: the idea of ​​brotherhood, the idea of ​​freedom and the idea of ​​love. Like three silk threads, they run through all four Gospels.

When lamps and candles go out in the souls of people, the incense turns into suffocating smoke, and the heart, having become cold and hard as a stone, ceases to be an altar of love - then the walls of the temple no longer please God.

State:

Power is a great temptation, and few are able to resist it.

There are no despots without cowardly people, nor heroes without mercy.

The law is the clown of power.

The struggle for power and right is a painful phenomenon in human history.

HTML code to embed on a website or blog:

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 parental home, where in the company of brothers and sisters the boy grew up, strengthening his spirit and body and receiving the first lessons of 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 consequence of his hard work and diligence, so necessary for the development 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 a Basic Dogma”. 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 much 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 hospital rooms, but despite 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, caused a lot of surprise and respect. 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 on next 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 Nikolai 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 in 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. Precisely as the head of the Ohrid and Zhich departments, Vladyka Nikolay developed his activity in all its fullness in all directions. church life leaving no theological and literary works.

Undoubtedly, the ancient Ohrid, the cradle of Slavic writing and culture. 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, Bishop Nicholas prepared and presented to the Bishops' Council 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 of which, unfortunately, she died during the bombardment 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 a concordat between the Yugoslav government and 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 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 file a petition with the Holy Synod about the release from the administration of the Zhichsky 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 instructions 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 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 make 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, written by Vladyka Nikolai in one notebook, “ Prayer canon” and “Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God of Wojlovachska”, as well as “Three Prayers in the Shadow of German Bayonets” written later in Vienna.

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 United States and Canada, encouraging the faint-hearted, reconciling the warring and teaching the truths of the gospel faith and life to many. seeking God souls. 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. Saint 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 temple in the presence a large number Serbs and other Orthodox believers from all corners of 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. As early as 1962 Father Justin (Popovich) was the first among the Serbian people to speak openly about St. Nicholas as a saint, and St. San Francisco John(Maximovich) back in 1958 called him "the great saint, Chrysostom of our days and the universal 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 Bishops' Cathedral 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".

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 Nikolai 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.

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 instructions 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 Vladyka 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.

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 Nikolai 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 instructions 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 Vladyka 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 the Libertyville Monastery, St. Vladimir's Academy in New York, and at the 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 publisher Sretensky Monastery. You can buy the edition in the shop ".