Nicholas Smisko

Metropolitan Nicholas (secular name Richard Smiško; February 23, 1936 – March 13, 2011) was metropolitan bishop of Amissos and Primate of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the US.^[1]

Early life

Richard Smisko was born in

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

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

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

Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America and was consecrated as Bishop of Amissos (modern day Samsun

) on March 13, 1983.

Following the death of Bishop John (Martin) in September 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 Archbishop Iakovos of America on April 19, 1985.

He was elevated to the rank of

Bartholomew I

on November 24, 1997.

In recognition for his labors Metropolitan Nicholas received the Saints Cyril and Methodius Award given by the