ENGLISH:
Our father among the saints Nicholas of Japan (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 (16).Early life
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. His mother died when he was five. The deacon's family was big and very poor. Despite that, young Ivan was sent to the Belsk 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.
The Russian consul in Japan sent a request to the Holy Synod (later forwarded to the Academy), asking for a pastor "who would be useful both as a spiritual director and a scholar, and whose private life would give a good idea of our clergy not only to Japanese, but also to foreigners." He filed a petition to Bishop Nectarius, the rector, asking to profess him and to appoint him to the Russian Consulate in Japan.
On June 24, 1860, Bishop Nectarius professed Ivan Kasatkin with the name of Nicholas in the academic church of the Twelve Apostles. On June 29, the day of Apostles Peter and Paul, monk Nicholas was ordained hierodeacon, and on June 30, when the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles was celebrated, he became hieromonk.
The bishop's words of blessing of the young monk's new mission were remarkable: "You are supposed to live your ascetic life outside the monastery. You will have to leave your homeland and to serve God in a country that is distant and unfaithful. Along with the cross of an ascetic you must take your staff of a pilgrim, along with monastic exploits you must embark on an apostolic mission!"
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.
The Russian consul in Japan sent a request to the Holy Synod (later forwarded to the Academy), asking for a pastor "who would be useful both as a spiritual director and a scholar, and whose private life would give a good idea of our clergy not only to Japanese, but also to foreigners." He filed a petition to Bishop Nectarius, the rector, asking to profess him and to appoint him to the Russian Consulate in Japan.
On June 24, 1860, Bishop Nectarius professed Ivan Kasatkin with the name of Nicholas in the academic church of the Twelve Apostles. On June 29, the day of Apostles Peter and Paul, monk Nicholas was ordained hierodeacon, and on June 30, when the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles was celebrated, he became hieromonk.
The bishop's words of blessing of the young monk's new mission were remarkable: "You are supposed to live your ascetic life outside the monastery. You will have to leave your homeland and to serve God in a country that is distant and unfaithful. Along with the cross of an ascetic you must take your staff of a pilgrim, along with monastic exploits you must embark on an apostolic mission!"
Early years in Japan
In June 1860, hieromonk Nicholas set off for his duty station in the town of Hakodate, taking along the icon of Smolensk Mother of God. On his way to Japan, he met the renowned bishop of the Russian Church, St. Innocent (Veniaminov), Archbishop of Kamchatka, the Kurile and Aleutian Islands (later Metropolitan of Moscow), called the Apostle of America and Siberia. In Nikolaevsk-on-Amur, he learned from the elder missionary's experience all that was necessary to continue his apostolic deeds "even to the end of the earth."
On July 2, 1861 Nicholas arrived in Hakodate. At first, to preach the Gospel in Japan seemed next to impossible. According to Fr Nicholas' words, "the Japanese of that time regarded foreigners as beasts, and considered Christianity to be a vicious church, to which only notorious evildoers and magicians could belong." It took him eight years to familiarize himself with the country, its people and language, and the customs and traditions of those to whom he had come to preach.
Nicholas learned Japanese culture and language eagerly. Especially after he met Archbp. Innocent (Veniaminov) in September 1861 in Hakodate, his motivation seemed to be accelerated. In Japan, the young Nicholas tried to keep his competence for Western languages and read foreign books. Innocent eventually found him reading Western books and scorned him. According to Innocent, all of Nicholas' efforts should have been toward learning Japanese language, culture and history so that he would be able to make a correct translation of the Scripture. Nicholas was impressed greatly with the words of Archbp. Innocent and meekly submitted and was obedient to him.
Hieromonk Nicholas attended popular gatherings to listen to visiting storytellers and Buddhist preachers. By 1868, Fr Nicholas had already mastered spoken Japanese. His knowledge of the history of Japan was deeper than that of many Japanese. In the meantime, he also learned English, which was becoming an international language. By that time Fr Nicholas' congregation numbered about 20 men and women.
In late 1869, hieromonk Nicholas came to St. Petersburg to report on the results of his work to the Synod. A decision was made "to set up a special Russian Ecclesiastical Mission to preach God's Word among pagans." Fr Nicholas was promoted to the rank of archimandrite and appointed head of the Mission.
Upon his return to Japan, the prospective bishop turned over his Hakodate congregation to hieromonk Anatole, his new associate, and relocated the missionary centre to Tokyo.
In 1871, the persecution of Christians began in Japan, which affected many people, including Paul Sawabe, the first Orthodox Japanese, who would later become a famous missionary priest.
Building of the mission
It was not until 1873 that the persecution lessened a little and a free propagation of Christianity became possible. In the same year Archimandrite Nicholas started to build a church and a school for fifty people in Tokyo, followed by a theological school, which was transformed into a seminary in 1878.
In 1874, His Eminence Paul, Bishop of Kamchatka, arrived in Tokyo to ordain local candidates recommended by Archimandrite Nicholas. By that time, there were four schools in Tokyo: a catechist school, a seminary, a girls' school, and a clerical school; and two schools in Hakodate, one for boys and one for girls.
In late 1877, the Mission began to publish a magazine, The Church Herald, on a regular basis. By 1878, there were 4,115 Christians in Japan. In public worship and the education of local communities, the vernacular was used. The publication of books on spirituality and ethics was initiated as well.
In 1880, the Holy Synod decided to increase the staff of the Mission and to elevate the head of it, Archimandrite Nicholas, to the rank of bishop. On March 30, 1880, Archimandrite Nicholas was consecrated bishop of Tokyo in the Trinity Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky Lavra. The bishop wrote later: "During the mystery of consecration, feelings seem to overwhelm the man against his will, his eyes get wet, his soul embarrassed. His inner being is transformed as soon as hierarchs place their right hands upon him. He stands up a totally different person than he was before kneeling down in front of the altar."
Bishop Nicholas
From this moment Bishop Nicholas continued his apostolic labor with even greater zeal. He completed the construction of the Holy Resurrection Cathedral (Tokyo, Japan) in 1891 and then proceeded with the translation of liturgical books, and composed The Orthodox Theological Dictionary in Japanese while continuing to attend to the needs of the numerous Orthodox communities.
The Russian-Japanese War of 1905, however, turned out to be the time of ordeals for St Nicholas and his flock. He withstood them with honour, to the great surprise of the Japanese. He found a way to help Russian prisoners of war in their difficult situation. In recognition of this unprecedented effort, he was promoted to the rank of archbishop.
In 1911, after fifty years' missionary work of St. Nicholas, the Church of Japan numbered 266 communities, including 33,017 Orthodox laymen, one archbishop, one bishop, 35 priests, six deacons, 14 teachers of singing, and 116 catechists.
Throughout his life, St Nicholas set an example of a true spiritual director wholly devoted to his ministry. He was a man of inexhaustible energy, firm commitment, and outstanding efficiency. He said once: "I consider it inappropriate for a missionary to retire unless he is totally unable to serve. I have never tried on a 'robe de chambre,' not even in my dreams. I would better die on the field where God's Providence destined me to plough and sow."
Grave of St. Nicholas of Japan in the Yanaka Cemetery, Tokyo, Japan
These words fully reflect his human nature. His private life was that of an ascetic. He never tried to perform any special feat, but rather surrendered his entire soul to God. His life was marked with hardships and willfulness, self-appraisals and tiredness, and the feebleness of an old man. However, the saint's life was a clear manifestation of success in overcoming these hardships through the fulfilment of Christ's commandments, shown to the whole world.
On February 3, 1912, Archbishop Nicholas, the enlightener of Japan, peacefully reposed in the Lord at the age of 75, to be succeeded by his assistant the future Metropolitan Sergius (Tikhomirov) of Japan.
Among the Orthodox, in Japan especially, St Nicholas is now venerated as a man of great sanctity and a special intercessor with the Lord.
Hymn
Troparion (Tone 4) O holy Saint Nicholas, the Enlightener of Japan,You share the dignity and the throne of the Apostles:You are a wise and faithful servant of Christ, A temple chosen by the Divine Spirit,A vessel overflowing with the love of Christ.O hierarch equal to the Apostles, Pray to the life-creating TrinityFor all your flock and for the whole world.
Troparion (Tone 4) O holy Saint Nicholas, the Enlightener of Japan,You share the dignity and the throne of the Apostles:You are a wise and faithful servant of Christ, A temple chosen by the Divine Spirit,A vessel overflowing with the love of Christ.O hierarch equal to the Apostles, Pray to the life-creating TrinityFor all your flock and for the whole world.
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ESPAÑOL:
Nuestro padre entre los santos Nicolás de Japón (1 de agosto de 1836 - 3 de febrero de 1912), trajo la ortodoxia a Japón. Fue enviado a Japón como misionero por la Iglesia de Rusia. Trabajó incansablemente entre los japoneses y estableció allí la Iglesia de Japón. Su fiesta es el 3 (16) de febrero.En 1857, Iván, uno de los mejores estudiantes, fue enviado a estudiar a la Academia Teológica de San Petersburgo, donde demostró talentos notables. Cuando Iván estaba a punto de terminar sus estudios, la Divina Providencia reveló su futura misión, predicar la fe ortodoxa en Japón.
El cónsul ruso en Japón envió una solicitud al Santo Sínodo (luego enviada a la Academia), pidiendo un pastor "que sería útil tanto como director espiritual como erudito, y cuya vida privada daría una buena idea de nuestro clero. no sólo a los japoneses, sino también a los extranjeros." Presentó una petición al obispo Nectario, el rector, solicitando profesarlo y nombrarlo para el consulado ruso en Japón.
El 24 de junio de 1860, el obispo Nectarius profesó Ivan Kasatkin con el nombre de Nicolás en la iglesia académica de los Doce Apóstoles. El 29 de junio, día de los Apóstoles Pedro y Pablo, el monje Nicolás fue ordenado hierodiácono, y el 30 de junio, cuando se celebró la Sinaxis de los Doce Apóstoles, se convirtió en hieromonje.
Las palabras del obispo de bendición de la nueva misión del joven monje fueron notables: "Se supone que debes vivir tu vida ascética fuera del monasterio. Tendrás que dejar tu patria y servir a Dios en un país lejano e infiel. Junto con el cruz de un asceta debes llevar tu bastón de peregrino, junto con las hazañas monásticas debes embarcarte en una misión apostólica! "
En junio de 1860, el hieromonje Nicolás partió hacia su lugar de destino en la ciudad de Hakodate, llevando consigo el icono de la Madre de Dios de Smolensk. De camino a Japón, conoció al renombrado obispo de la Iglesia rusa, San Inocencio (Veniaminov), arzobispo de Kamchatka, las islas Kuriles y Aleutianas (más tarde metropolitano de Moscú), llamado Apóstol de América y Siberia. En Nikolaevsk-on-Amur, aprendió de la experiencia del anciano misionero todo lo necesario para continuar sus obras apostólicas "hasta el fin de la tierra."
El 2 de julio de 1861, Nicolás llegó a Hakodate. Al principio, predicar el Evangelio en Japón parecía casi imposible. Según las palabras del P. Nicolás, "los japoneses de esa época consideraban a los extranjeros como bestias, y consideraban al cristianismo como una iglesia viciosa, a la que sólo podían pertenecer los malhechores y magos notorios". Le tomó ocho años familiarizarse con el país, su gente y su idioma, y las costumbres y tradiciones de aquellos a quienes había venido a predicar.
Nicolás aprendió con entusiasmo la cultura y el idioma japoneses. Especialmente después de conocer a Arzobispo Inocente (Veniaminov) en septiembre de 1861 en Hakodate, su motivación pareció acelerarse. En Japón, el joven Nicolás trató de mantener su competencia para los idiomas occidentales y leer libros extranjeros. Inocente finalmente lo encontró leyendo libros occidentales y lo despreció. Según Inocente, todos los esfuerzos de Nicholas deberían haberse dirigido a aprender el idioma, la cultura y la historia del japonés para poder hacer una traducción correcta de las Escrituras. Nicolás quedó muy impresionado con las palabras de Arzobispo Inocente y dócilmente sometido y obediente a él.
A finales de 1869, el hieromonje Nicolás llegó a San Petersburgo para informar al Sínodo sobre los resultados de su trabajo. Se tomó la decisión de "establecer una misión eclesiástica rusa especial para predicar la Palabra de Dios entre los paganos". El P. Nicolás fue ascendido al rango de archimandrita y nombrado jefe de la Misión.
A su regreso a Japón, el futuro obispo entregó su congregación de Hakodate a hieromonje Anatole, su nuevo asociado, y trasladó el centro misional a Tokio.
En 1871, comenzó la persecución de los cristianos en Japón, que afectó a muchas personas, incluido Paul Sawabe, el primer japonés ortodoxo, que luego se convertiría en un famoso sacerdote misionero.
No fue hasta 1873 que la persecución disminuyó un poco y se hizo posible una libre propagación del cristianismo. En el mismo año, Archimandrita Nicolás comenzó a construir una iglesia y una escuela para cincuenta personas en Tokio, seguido de una escuela teológica, que se transformó en un seminario en 1878.
En 1874, Su Eminencia Paul, obispo de Kamchatka, llegó a Tokio para ordenar candidatos locales recomendados por el archimandrita Nicolás. En ese momento, había cuatro escuelas en Tokio: una escuela de catequistas, un seminario, una escuela para niñas y una escuela para oficios; y dos escuelas en Hakodate, una para niños y otra para niñas.
A fines de 1877, la Misión comenzó a publicar una revista, The Church Herald, con regularidad. En 1878, había 4.115 cristianos en Japón. En el culto público y la educación de las comunidades locales, se utilizó la lengua vernácula. También se inició la publicación de libros sobre espiritualidad y ética.
En 1880, el Santo Sínodo decidió aumentar el personal de la Misión y elevar al jefe de la misma, el Archimandrita Nicolás, al rango de obispo. El 30 de marzo de 1880, el archimandrita Nicolás fue consagrado obispo de Tokio en la Catedral de la Trinidad de Alexander Nevsky Lavra. El obispo escribió más tarde: "Durante el misterio de la consagración, los sentimientos parecen abrumar al hombre contra su voluntad, sus ojos se humedecen, su alma se avergüenza. Su interior se transforma en cuanto los jerarcas colocan su mano derecha sobre él. Se pone de pie. una persona totalmente diferente a la que era antes de arrodillarse frente al altar."
La guerra ruso-japonesa de 1905, sin embargo, resultó ser el momento de las pruebas para San Nicolás y su rebaño. Los resistió con honor, para gran sorpresa de los japoneses. Encontró una forma de ayudar a los prisioneros de guerra rusos en su difícil situación. En reconocimiento a este esfuerzo sin precedentes, fue ascendido al rango de arzobispo.
En 1911, después de cincuenta años de trabajo misionero de San Nicolás, la Iglesia de Japón contaba con 266 comunidades, incluidos 33,017 laicos ortodoxos, un arzobispo, un obispo, 35 sacerdotes, seis diáconos, 14 profesores de canto y 116 catequistas.
El 3 de febrero de 1912, el arzobispo Nicolás, el iluminador de Japón, reposó pacíficamente en el Señor a la edad de 75 años, para ser sucedido por su asistente, el futuro Metropolitano Sergio (Tikhomirov) de Japón. Entre los ortodoxos, especialmente en Japón, San Nicolás es ahora venerado como un hombre de gran santidad y un intercesor especial ante el Señor.
Himno
Troparion (Tono 4) Oh santo San Nicolás, el Iluminador de Japón, Tú compartes la dignidad y el trono de los Apóstoles: Tú eres un servidor sabio y fiel de Cristo, Un templo elegido por el Espíritu Divino, Un vaso rebosante de amor Oh jerarca igual a los Apóstoles, ruega a la Trinidad creadora de vida Por todo tu rebaño y por el mundo entero.
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