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St. Nicholas Velimirovic icon

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St. Nicholas Velimirovic iconOrthodox icon of Saint Nicholas, Nikolai Velimirovic, Bishop of Zhicha, Serbia Commemorated March 18th. Saint Nikolai of Zhicha, the Serbian Chrysostom, was born in Lelich in western Serbia on January 4, 1881 (December 23, 1880 O. S.). His parents were Dragomir and Katherine Velimirovich, who lived on a farm where they raised a large family. His pious mother was a major influence on his spiritual development, teaching him by word and especially by

Orthodox icon of Saint Nicholas, Nikolai Velimirovic, Bishop of Zhicha, Serbia

Commemorated March 18th.

Saint Nikolai of Zhicha, “the Serbian Chrysostom,” was born in Lelich in western Serbia on January 4, 1881 (December 23, 1880 O.S.). His parents were Dragomir and Katherine Velimirovich, who lived on a farm where they raised a large family. His pious mother was a major influence on his spiritual development, teaching him by word and especially by example. As a small child, Nikolai often walked three miles to the Chelije Monastery with his mother to attend services there.

Sickly as a child, Nikolai was not physically strong as an adult. He failed his physical requirements when he applied to the military academy, but his excellent academic qualifications allowed him to enter the Saint Sava Seminary in Belgrade, even before he finished preparatory school.

After graduating from the seminary in 1905, he earned doctoral degrees from the University of Berne in 1908, and from King’s College, Oxford in 1909. When he returned home, he fell ill with dysentery. Vowing to serve God for the rest of his life if he recovered, he was tonsured at the Rakovica Monastery on December 20, 1909 and was also ordained to the holy priesthood.

In 1910 he went to study in Russia to prepare himself for a teaching position at the seminary in Belgrade. At the Theological Academy in Saint Petersburg, the Provost asked him why he had come. He replied, “I wanted to be a shepherd. As a child, I tended my father’s sheep. Now that I am a man, I wish to tend the rational flock of my heavenly Father. I believe that is the way that has been shown to me.” The Provost smiled, pleased by this response, then showed the young man to his quarters.

After completing his studies, he returned to Belgrade and taught philosophy, logic, history, and foreign languages at the seminary. He spoke seven languages, and this ability proved very useful to him throughout his life.

Saint Nikolai was renowned for his sermons, which never lasted more than twenty minutes, and focused on just three main points. He taught people the theology of the Church in a language they could understand, and inspired them to repentance.

At the start of World War I, Archimandrite Nikolai was sent to England on a diplomatic mission to seek help in the struggle of the Serbs against Austria. His doctorate from Oxford gained him an invitation to speak at Westminster Abbey. He remained in England for three short months, but Saint Nikolai left a lasting impression on those who heard him. His writings “The Lord’s Commandments,” and “Meditations on the Lord’s Prayer” impressed many in the Church of England.

Archimandrite Nikolai left England and went to America, where he proved to be a good ambassador for his nation and his Church.

The future saint returned to Serbia in 1919, where he was consecrated as Bishop of Zhicha, and was later transferred to Ochrid. The new hierarch assisted those who were suffering from the ravages of war by establishing orphanages and helping the poor.

Bishop Nikolai took over as leader of Bogomljcki Pokret, a popular movement for spiritual revival which encouraged people to pray and read the Bible. Under the bishop’s direction, it also contributed to a renewal of monasticism. Monasteries were restored and reopened, and this in turn revitalized the spiritual life of the Serbian people.

In 1921, Bishop Nikolai was invited to visit America again and spent two years as a missionary bishop. He gave more than a hundred talks in less than six months, raising funds for his orphanages. Over the next twenty years, he lectured in various churches and universities.

When Germany invaded Yugoslavia on April 6, 1941, Bishop Nikolai, a fearless critic of the Nazis, was arrested and confined in Ljubostir Vojlovici Monastery. In 1944, he and Patriarch Gavrilo were sent to the death camp at Dachau. There he witnessed many atrocities and was tortured himself. When American troops liberated the prisoners in May 1945, the patriarch returned to Yugoslavia, but Bishop Nikolai went to England.

The Communist leader Tito was just coming to power in Yugoslavia, where he persecuted the Church and crushed those who opposed him. Therefore, Bishop Nikolai believed he could serve the Serbian people more effectively by remaining abroad. He went to America in 1946, following a hectic schedule in spite of his health problems which were exacerbated by his time in Dachau. He taught for three years at Saint Sava’s Seminary in Libertyville, IL before he settled at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, PA in 1951.

He taught at Saint Tikhon’s and also served as the seminary’s Dean and Rector. He was also a guest lecturer at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary in NY, and at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Saturday March 17, 1956 Bishop Nikolai served his last Liturgy. After the service he went to the trapeza and gave a short talk. As he was leaving, he bowed low and said, “Forgive me, brothers.” This was something unusual which he had not done before.

On March 18, 1956 Saint Nikolai fell asleep in the Lord Whom he had served throughout his life. He was found in his room kneeling in an attitude of prayer. Though he was buried at Saint Sava’s Monastery in Libertyville, IL, he had always expressed a desire to be buried in his homeland. In April of 1991 his relics were transferred to the Chetinje Monastery in Lelich. There he was buried next to his friend and disciple Father Justin Popovich (+ 1979).

English readers are familiar with Saint Nikolai’s PROLOGUE FROM OCHRID, THE LIFE OF ST SAVA, A TREASURY OF SERBIAN SPIRITUALITY, and other writings which are of great benefit for the whole Church. He thought of his writings as silent sermons addressed to people who would never hear him preach. In his life and writings, the grace of the Holy Spirit shone forth for all to see, but in his humility he considered himself the least of men.

Though he was a native of Serbia, Saint Nikolai has a universal significance for Orthodox Christians in all countries. He was like a candle set upon a candlestick giving light to all (MT 5:15). A spiritual guide and teacher with a magnetic personality, he attracted many people to himself. He also loved them, seeing the image of God in each person he met. He had a special love for children, who hastened to receive his blessing whenever they saw him in the street.

He was a man of compunctionate prayer, and possessesed the gift of tears which purify the soul (Saint John Climacus, LADDER, Step 7). He was a true pastor to his flock protecting them from spiritual wolves, and guiding them on the path to salvation. He has left behind many soul-profiting writings which proclaim the truth of Christ to modern man. In them he exhorts people to love God, and to live a life of virtue and holiness. May we also be found worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven through the prayers of Saint Nikolai, and by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever. Amen.

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Jaci
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 4
okay so far...
I was wondering how my skin would react from this since I've been the cerave SA cleanser for a while now and didn't notice any dryness whatsoever with that. But, I've always wondered the strength or percentage of SA in the cerave (which is impossible to find out I guess...) I'm guessing it's less than 2% so I wanted to try out a cleanser with a higher % to see if there was a different. After a few days I did notice some dryness, which I suppose could be due to wintertime, but I think it's the cleanser. Not surprising, I was bracing myself for dry skin. I will probably take a break until my skin returns to normal and reintroduce this to a few times a week or something, or I may save it for the humid summers. Other than that, I like the formula, it has a very subtle scent I don't mind at all.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2021
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Paulajade
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Smooth and oil free skin
At first I was scepticle, losing hope that anything would help my oily acne prone skin. But then I ordered this, and it's magic. Now my skin is smooth, balanced, and the acne is slowly going away. Best thing of all, no more oily skin! Will be ordering again!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2025
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Jada
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
BUY THIS!
I WISH i took a before and after photo of my results because the speed of which this worked was insane. Although I encourage to use the product as the package instructs you to, I just needed to share how well it worked for me and how I used it. I began applying the cleanser specifically to my acne prone areas on my face (between my eyebrows, above my lips etc) and allowing it to sit for 15-30 minutes before washing it off then moisturizing immediately after during the night time. in the morning, i cleansed those same areas once more and moisturized with spf 25 sun protection to protect my skin from dryness and repeated those steps each night for the next 3 days. 1 night i decided to just leave the cleanser on my acne prone/scarring areas and the morning after, the most stubborn scar on my face was literally GONE. it was insane. needles to say, this product worked so well for me. instantly cleared up my acne, by scarring, and stubborn bumps on my face. don’t forget to moisturize and use sun protection though because salicylic acid is in fact very drying for your skin. love this product. highly highly highly recommend.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2023
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Kendra Williams
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 3
Did the formula change?
I had ordered a travel kit of this product around christmas and it seemed to work really well. I was only really using the cleanser from the kit, and I ran out so I decided to order more. I feel like this isnt the same as what was in the kit. Ive been constantly breaking out since using this bottle. I dont know if the formula changed or what, but I can't use it anymore.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Very good quality, the product glides across the face smoothly with some face oil
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Good product
Good product
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Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2025

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