Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
May 19, 2003

Today, on May 19, the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church unanimously and of one mind decided to enter the Bishop Nikolaj (Velimirovic) of Ohrid and Zica into the calendar of Saints of our Holy Orthodox Church. By this canonisation the Assembly has actually officially recognised general awareness of Bishop Nikolaj’s holiness among the Lord’s people not only in our local Church but also in all other local Churches.

As the dates of the Liturgical mentioning and celebration of this holy hierarch the following dates are set: the date of his blessed passing away (March 5/18) and the date of the translation of his relics from America to Serbia (April 20/May 3).

The solemn Hierarchal Liturgy in honour of the new Saint Nikolaj of Ohrid/Zica will be served on the feast of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Slavic Enlighteners Equal to the Apostles, in the Saint Sava’s Church at Vracar on May 11/24, 2003.

TROPARION TO ST. NICHOLAI OF ZHICHA AND OCHRID

Tone 8

Golden-mouthed preacher of the Resurrected Christ,
Guide of the cross-bearing Serbian people through the ages,
Resonant lyre of the Holy Spirit,
Pride and love of monastics,
Joy and glory of priests,
Teacher of repentance,
Bishop of the whole nation,
Leader of the God-praying army of Christ,
O Holy Nicholai of Serbia and all Orthodoxy;
With all the saints in Heavenly Serbia,
Pray the Only Lover of mankind
To grant peace and unity to our people.

KONTAKION TO ST. NICHOLAI OF ZHICHA AND OCHRID

Tone 3