Mission Receives Relic and Icon of St Nikolai

The St. Nikolai Mission in Whitehorse received two very special gifts in August – a beautiful, hand-painted icon and a portion of the relics of St. Nikolai (Velimirovic), our patron saint.

The relic of St. Nikolai, housed in a lovely, carved wooden casket, was graciously provided to the Whitehorse Mission as a gift by His Eminence, Archbishop Lazar, of the Monastery of All Saints of North America in Dewdney, BC. The relic had previously been given to His Eminence by His Beatitude, Theodosius, Retired Metropolian of All America and Canada, as an encouragement to the Orthodox Church in Canada.

Priest-in-Charge Fr. Matthew Francis joyfully received them on behalf of the Mission community in July from Vladyka Lazar, carrying them with him to Whitehorse for his visit for the Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, August 14-15th. For a few weeks in late July, en route to the Yukon, the relics were also made available for veneration at St. Herman of Alaska Sobor, in Edmonton. The Whitehorse Mission community expresses its heartfelt joy and thanksgiving, as we now embrace the presence of our heavenly intercessor in our own midst, close to home, in the Yukon! Glory to Jesus Christ!

Before the Vespers of the same feast, another gift to the Mission – an icon of St. Nikolai, handpainted by Canadian iconographer Hieromonk Vladimir (Lysak) was also presented. Donated anonymously by one of the Mission’s members, the icon depicts our Holy Bishop Nikolai, well known as the compiler of the Prologue from Ochrid, and as composer of the poetic Prayers by the Lake, bestowing his Archpastoral blessing.

The icon and the relics are now present for veneration by the faithful at all services of the St. Nikolai Mission. They are a sign and source of spiritual strength for us all.

Holy St. Nikolai, pray to God for us!