Nikanor (Savic)

The Venerable Father Nikanor (Sakic) of Athos, Australia and New Zealand was the Abbot of Hilandar before moving to Australia to pacify the schism between the Patriarchal Diocese and the New Gracanica Metropolitanate's Diocese. He reposed in 1990, was glorified by the Church of Serbia around 2010, and celebrated each year on March 4 (both calendars). As at Oct 2011, he is the first and only glorified Saint connected with Australia.

Timeline

• 1902: Elder Nikanor was born in Divci, near Valjevo.
• 1927: Nikanor went to Hilandar Monastery on Mt Athos.
• Elder Nikanor spent over 60 years on Hilandar, and was involved in such events as the Millenium of the Holy Mountain.
• Elder Nikanor had a profound reputation on Mt Athos. He also inspired the construction of the first metochion of Hilandar, in Slanci near Belgrade, and in Banat, Niš.
• Elder Nikanor also launched a publishing business in the Church of Serbia, along with scholarships for students, seminarians and theologians.

• Jan 1990: Elder Nikanor left Athos when he was 88 on his last missionary trip: to "reconcile the brothers in conflict". As he said to then-Bishop of Banat, Amphilohije (Radovic), "I will go, even if I happen to stay there forever". He repeated often that there was one God, one Serbia, one time, one Church of St Sava.
• Elder Nikanor laboured tirelessly for healing the schism between the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand and the Serbian Orthodox Diocese for Australia and New Zealand (New Gracanica Metropolitanate). He visited many parishes in an effort to heal the wounds.
• Elder Nikanor asked that if he died in Serbia, to be buried around Niš (the Hilandar metochion); if in America, near Bp Nikolai Velimirovic; if in Australia, near St Sava's Monastery, Elaine.
• Mar 4 1990: Elder Nikanor reposed in Sydney on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, after having visited the monastery at Tallong, NSW. His funeral was in St Stefan's Church, Rooty Hill, and he was buried in St Sava's Monastery, Elaine, Victoria, in the church of St Alipy the Stylite.
• Because of Elder Nikanor's association with Hilandar and his body being buried at St Sava's, the Monastery was styled 'New Hilandar' by Bp Amphilohije. The monastery was greatly boosted by Elder Nikanor's presence, even after his repose.

After Death and Glorification

• Multiple miracles have occured.

• Elder Nikanor has been sighted multiple times at the monastery, bathing the monastery in incense.
• Mr Lysanko was healed of a tumour (seen at the last scan before surgery) after praying to Elder Nikanor.
• Multiple people have noted that a warmth comes out of the tomb of the Elder.
• Mr Kefalidis was miraculously healed from a serious illness overnight.

• A service for Elder Nikanor was written by Fr Marjan Knezevic, though rarely used.
• Icons were written of Elder Nikanor - in the pro-Cathedral at Mona Vale, in St Stephen's Church in Rooty Hill (where his funeral was).
• The service for Saint Nikanor was compiled by Bp Irenej of Australia and New Zealand.

Hymns

Troparion, Tone 8 (untranslated):

Стасавао си на светогорским путевима,

У Хиландару светој царској лаври,

Преподобни старче Никаноре.

Дошавши као помиритељ и ујединитељ

рода српскога у (далекој) Аустралији,

Сведочећи нам љубав Христову

и посветивши земљу нашу

својим светим представљењем.

Свете мошти твоје део су неба

украшеног Јужним Крстом.

Стога те народ твој крстоносни моли:

моли Христа Бога

да нас спасе и сачува у слози Његовој.

Kontakion, Tone 3 (untranslated):

Радуј се најудаљенији светосавски манастире.

Јер у теби се прослави про-игуман хиландарски –

Старац Никанор светогорски и

аустралијско-новозеландски.

С тобом ликује све Православље Океаније,

а ми духовна деца старчева сложно кличемо

захвалним песмама Творцу свега света:

да нас спасе његовим очинским молитивама.

Bibliography

• Google Translation of Прослава Светог Никанора Хиландарца. (original Serbian)
• Google Translation of Свети старац Никанор светогорски и аустралијско-новозеландски. (original Serbian)