Velimirović, Nikolaj

Autor: Velimirović, Nikolaj
Rok: 1880-1956
Oblast působnosti: teologové, filozofové, pravoslavní kněží, básníci, biskupové

Biogr./Hist. údaje: Srbský pravoslavný teolog, kněz a biskup, filosof, kazatel, buditel a básník.
Zdroj: Autoritní databáze Národní knihovny ČR

Saint Nikolai Velimirovich of Ohrid and Žiča or Nikolaj Velimirović (Serbian Cyrillic: Николај Велимировић; January 4, 1881 [O.S. December 23, 1880] – March 18, [O.S. March 5] 1956) was bishop of Ohrid and of Žiča in the Serbian Orthodox Church, an influential theological writer and a highly gifted orator, therefore also known as The New Chrysostom.His birth name was Nikola. As a young man, he came close to dying of dysentery, and decided that he would dedicate his life to God if he survived. Survive he did, and was tonsured as a monk under the name Nikolaj. He was also ordained into the clergy, and quickly became an important leader and spokesperson for the Serbian Orthodox Church, especially in its relations with the West. When the Germans occupied Yugoslavia in World War II, Nikolaj Velimirović was imprisoned and eventually taken to Dachau concentration camp in Germany. After being liberated by the Allies at the end of the war, he chose not to return to Yugoslavia (which had a Communist government by that time). Instead, he spent some time in Europe and moved to the United States in 1946, where he remained until his death in 1956.Velimirović strongly supported the unity of all Orthodox churches and established particularly good relationship with the Anglican and Episcopal Church.