Nicholas Smisko, American clergyman, Head of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese (since 1984), died from cancer he was , 75

Nicholas (Smisko)  was metropolitan bishop of Amissos and Primate of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA  died from cancer he was , 75.

(February 23, 1936 – March 13, 2011)

Early life

Metropolitan Nicholas (Smisko) was born in 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 P. Chornock in Perth Amboy, N.J. His first pastorate was at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Windber, Pennsylvania, where he served until 1962

Priesthood and Episcopacy

A new phase of his life began when he embarked on a year's study at the renowned Theological School of Halki, Constantinople. During his stay in the city, the young priest was assigned by the late Patriarch Athenagoras I 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 Youngstown State University, 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 Church of the USA and was consecrated as Bishop of Amissos (modern day Samsun) 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 American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese and was enthroned in Christ the Saviour Cathedral by His Eminence, Archbishop Iakovos of America 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, Metropolitan Nicholas proved 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 Pavle of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.

Death

Metropolitan Nicholas died on March 13, 2011 at Windber Hospital Hospice in Windber, Pennsylvania, from complications from cancer.

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