Born April 9, 1949, Archimandrite Nicholas received his Bachelor of
Theology degree from Christ the Savior Seminary, Johnstown, PA in 1972. In
August 1970 he received monastic tonsure and was ordained to the Holy
Diaconate. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on June 4, 1972. In 1979, he
completed graduate studies at the University of Belgrade, for which he was
awarded the Doctor of Theology degree.
In October 1988, Father Nikolai was received into the ranks of clergy of
the Orthodox Church in America from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North
and South America.
In December 1988, Father Nikolai founded Saint Paul the Apostle Mission,
Las Vegas, NV, which grew rapidly under his pastoral leadership. During his
pastorate the mission achieved parish status and erected a church and other
facilities. In August 1994, His Grace, Bishop TIKHON of San Francisco
appointed him Chancellor of the Diocese of the West, while the following year
he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite. In 1997, he was named Dean of
the diocese’s monasteries. The following year he was named Abbot of the
Monastery of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco.
Archimandrite Nikolai has especially distinguished himself in the ongoing
missionary efforts conducted throughout the Diocese of the West and was
instrumental in the formation of the diocese’s Missionary Deanery.
The consecration took place on Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22, 2001
in conjunction with the consecration of Saint Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas, TX.
His first hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Sunday, April 29, at
Saint Paul the Apostle Church, Las Vegas, NV.
Acceptance
Address of His Grace Bishop NIKOLAI
His
Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius' Exhortation to Bishop NIKOLAI
