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Our father among the [[saints]] '''Nicholas of Japan''', [[Equal-to-the-Apostles|Equal to the Apostles]] ([[August 1]], 1836 – [[February 3]], 1912), brought Orthodoxy to Japan. He was sent to Japan as a [[missionary]] by the [[Church of Russia]]. He worked tirelessly among the Japanese people and established there the [[Church of Japan]]. His [[feast day]] is [[February 3]].
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== Early Life ==
[[Image:nj3.jpg|thumb|left|St. Nicholas, equal to the Apostles and enlightener of Japan]]Nicholas was born Ivan Kasatkin in Berezovsky village, Volsk district, in the province of Smolensk. There his father, Dmitri, served as a [[deacon]]. When the child was five, his mother died. The deacon’s family was big and very poor. Despite that young Ivan was sent to the Belsk [[Theology|Theological]] School and later to the Smolensk Theological [[Seminary]].
In 1857, Ivan, one of the best students, was sent to study in the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, where he demonstrated remarkable talents. When Ivan was about to finish his studies, his future mission—to preach the [[Orthodox faith]] in Japan—was revealed by Divine Providence.