Fr Nicholas was my Father in Christ. I began my Orthodox catechism with him in the spring of 1997, at the Holy Apostles Mission when it was located on Overton Street in Portland,Oregon.
When he found out that I was driving 2.5 hours each way, from Tillamook, to attend services, he decided that I would stay in his guestroom every Saturday night, so I could attend the morning liturgy fully rested. I am a Medical Technologist and worked the night shift at the laboratory of Tillamook Hospital Sunday night to Thursday night then. Fr Nicholas simply informed me of his decision that I would stay in his home. It was non negotiable. I did this for about a year, until I moved to Washington state.
I was thinking about this today, that is, how peaceful the guest room was, how calming. I always had this soothing feeling in his presence. I can bear witness of the many nights, when he would get up at 3am and other times to answer the door for a hungry person in need of help. He had sandwiches and drinks prepared before hand and would lovingly feed the homeless. I witnessed this many times. I always would get up and secretly watch him walk to the door.
After Matins he would take us to his home for breakfast (again this was not open for discussion), and while we ate, he would read from the book St Silouan the Athonite by the recently canonized St Sophrony of Essex. I had so many wonderful moments with both Fr Nicholas and Matushka Barbara! Riding in the van with him was an adventure. But the most extraordinary thing was to hear the word of God coming from his mouth, so full of love, and wisdom. How many times did I get a phone call from him, at just the right time, to say exactly what I needed to hear! Fr Nicholas baptized me into Christ in the Orthodox Church on Great and Holy Saturday April 18, 1998.
After my move to Washington state, our communication continued just the same. We talked right until moments before his repose, on January 24, 2022 (Matushka Barbara had reposed on December 13, 2019, and their son Lawrence had preceded them both in falling asleep in the Lord on July 13, 2012). Our last words to each other were, "I love you Father Nicholas." And he responded, "I love you too." During the funeral, the temple was full with Life, not death. It was like Pascha. The temple was full of the Peace, Love and Grace that I always felt in his presence. Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing Life!
I miss his roaring laughter and his beautiful baritone voice. I remember him every day and eagerly wait for our reunion in eternity. May we all have Fr Nicholas' prayers.🙏
