Metropolitan Nicholas
Reposes In The Lord

JOHNSTOWN, PA - His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, 75, spiritual leader of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A., reposed in the Lord today, March 13, 2011 after waging a courageous battle with cancer. 

Metropolitan Nicholas was born on February 23, 1936. The son of the late Anna (Totin) and Andrew Smisko, he is a priestly vocation from Saint John the Baptist Church, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. After graduating from Perth Amboy High School, he entered Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to study for the Holy Priesthood. Upon graduation, he was ordained on January 11, 1959 by Bishop Orestes in Perth Amboy, N.J. His first pastorate was at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Windber, Pennsylvania, where he served until 1962

A new phase of his life began when he embarked on a year's study at the renowned Patriarchal Theological Academy at Halki, Constantinople. During his stay in the city, the young priest was assigned by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras to serve the spiritual needs of the large Slavic Orthodox community in the Galata section of Istanbul. He also traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East, visiting the sacred sites of the Holy Land and living for a time on Mount Athos, the ancient monastic center of the Orthodox Church.

Upon his return to the United States, he resumed his studies at the University of Youngstown, Ohio, and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.  He was then assigned as Prefect of Discipline at Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown, and served several parishes in the Johnstown area, before relocating in 1971 to New York City, where he served as pastor of  St. Nicholas Church.

He was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite in 1976, and  was  elected by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as Auxiliary Bishop for the Ukrainian Orthodox Diocese of America and was consecrated as Bishop on March 13, 1983.

Following the death of Bishop John (Martin) in September of 1984, Bishop Nicholas was chosen

as the third ruling hierarch of the Carpatho-Russian Diocese and was enthroned in Christ the Saviour Cathedral by His Eminence, Archbishop Iakovos on April 19, 1985.

He was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan, by His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on November 24, 1997.

Over his many years of service to Christ and His Holy Church, His Eminence has proven to be a worthy laborer in the Vineyard of the Lord. In recognition for his labors he was the recipient of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Award, given by the Orthodox Church of Czechoslovakia, the St  Sava Award from Patriarch Pavel of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Holy Cross School of  Theology.

His Eminence has been noted for his love for his flock and the liturgical services of the Church, and his devotion to the Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He was well-respected in Orthodox and Ecumenical circles as being a promoter of  peace and mutual understanding amongst all Christ-loving people.  True to his patron Saint, Nicholas the wonderworker, His Eminence was perhaps best known and respected  for his pastoral sensitivity, generosity of  spirit and compassion for the sick and suffering and the less fortunate. 

All Diocesan Clergy and Faithful are asked at this time to remember the Newly Reposed +Metropolitan Nicholas as well as his brothers George and Michael and the entire Smisko Family in their prayers.

May Almighty God rest His Newly Departed Servant, Our God-Loving Metropolitan Nicholas in the Heavenly Mansions, where there is neither sickness, sorrow or pain, but Life Everlasting!

May His Memory Be Eternal!

Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming and posted as it is available.  A special webpage has been established to memorialize His Eminence and keep diocesan clergy and faithful updated at www.metropolitan.acrod.org 

 

 

News and Events
2009 SoborChristmas in July ProjectCathedral Website Launched2009-2010 Cathedral Church School Program Begins Sept 13Church School Year BeginsMetropolitan Receives a Gift From Cathedral SeniorsMetropolitan Nicholas & Father Frank Attend Msgr. Flinn's FuneralDr Louise Brudnak Receives AwardOrthodox Women's Retreat To Be Held At Christ the Saviour SeminarySunday SchoolCathedral SeniorsSaint Sophia's Basket PartySunday School Fall OutingCathedral ChoirCathedral Seniors OutingCathedral Hayride OutingCathedral Christmas Cards Offered For SaleCathedral Sunday School NewsLatest Cathedral Sunday School NewsEducation Center NewsTrivia Night FundraiserFr. Frank Miloro Baptizes Nikos Kobal"Give Thanks to The Lord For He is Good" - A Reflection on Thanksgiving by Fr. Frank MiloroNew Parishioner Received into The FaithRussian New Year's Celebration2013 Russian New Year's CelebrationPaschal Bulletin Now PostedA Paschal Message From Father FrankEvening Tea to Be Held at Cathedral Education CenterSubdeacon David Mastroberte to Be Ordained to the Diaconate Cathedral Seniors News UpdateCathedral Children Head out To Camp Nazareth Parking Lot and Handicap Walk Dedicated At Educational CenterCathedral Hosts Successful Trivia NightCathedral Seniors Christmas GatheringCathedral Church School Hosts Christmas Pageant2010 Winter Bowling Party2011 Russian New Year's Party40th Day Memorial Service for Metropolitan Nicholas Set For April 21, 2011Holy Week and Paschal Services Broadcast Schedule Posted2018 Holy Week and Paschal Services Service Schedule Is Now Posted!Photogallery of Holy Week Services Now Available Paschal Bulletin Now Available On-LineA New Addition to the Cathedral FamilyHenry and Romayne Laichak Honored on Golden Wedding Anniversary2011 First Holy Confession SundayFr John & Pani Betty Jean Baranik Honored on Fortieth AnniversarySupport the Cathedral "Love Tree" Almsgiving ProgramComing Events for July & August 20112011 Cathedral Vacation Church School Photo GalleryBaptism of Elias Andrew MastroberteCathedral Receives New Processional CrossMrs Ann Evanisko Celebrates 94th BirthdaySaturday’s Kitchen Prepares For Annual Christmas DinnerCathedral To Broadcast Christmas LiturgyReflection On The First Anniversary of the Repose of Metropolitan NicholasNew Parish Directory New Parish Directory Church School NewsEducational Center News2012 High School and College Graduates RecognizedCathedral to Host Special Assembly of Diocesan Priests Cathedral To Host Diocesan Altarboy RetreatDiocesan Chancery Releases Details of Consecration of Bishop-Elect GregoryFirst Annual Seminarian/Cathedral Altarboy Flag Football GameFollow the Consecration Ceremonies On-Line.Fr. Frank and Pani Constance Miloro To Retire From Active Parish MinistrySubdeacon James Janiec Is Ordained To The Diaconate Successor To Protopresbyter Frank Miloro AnnouncedTrivia Night A Huge Success!Cathedral Is Home Base For Food DriveChrist the Saviour Cathedral Appeal For St. Sophia Academy Holiday Inn Downtown Holiday Party 2nd Annual Seminarians Verses Altar boys Football GameFolk Group KeceraCathedral Trivia NightAxiosChristmas in JulyCathedral "Trivia Night"Ecumenical GatheringJewelry Christmas TreeSpaghetti DinnerCathedral Senior's NewsACRY newsAnnual Women's RetreatMiss Helen Spanovich - Testimonial DinnerVacation Church SchoolChristmas in JulyCathedral parish PicnicCathedral Trivia NightSunday SchoolTrivia Night Cathedral Christmas PartyCathedral SeniorsCathedral Parish PicnicLove TreeSusan Kalcik Received Prestigious Americo Paredes PrizeCathedral Christmas PartyTrivia NightNoah Sakmar Is Tonsured As Reader!Fr. Frank's Audio Reflection on New Church School Year.Cathedral To Broadcast Christmas LiturgyMetropolitan Nicholas Celebrates Theophany at Christ the Saviour CathedralAnnual Ecumenical Gathering In Johnstown.Cathedral Holy Week Services To Be Live-Streamed Miraculous Icon Visits Cathedral: Video Now PostedMetropolitan Nicholas' 75th Birthday Celebration UpdateMetropolitan Nicholas Reposes in the Lord Prayer is Offered Throughout the Diocese On The 40th Day of the Repose of Metropolitan NicholasProtopresbyter Frank P. Miloro Celebrates Final Liturgy as Dean of Christ the Saviour CathedralNew Dean Begins Service To Christ The Saviour Cathedral Cathedral To Live Broadcast Nativity Services!