—
The spiritual leader of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A. died Sunday after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Metropolitan Nicholas Smisko had celebrated his 75th birthday in February at Christ the Saviour Cathedral on Garfield Street. It was his last opportunity to be in the cathedral where he had spent so much of his ministry.
Although his prognosis was not good, he had remained hopeful throughout difficult cancer treatments. But on March 3 he was told by his doctor that he should get his affairs in order.
“The only dry eyes in that room were those of the metropolitan,” recalled Connie Miloro, who attended the doctor’s visit along with her husband, the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Frank P. Miloro, diocesan chancellor of the cathedral.
The metropolitan’s last few days were spent in Windber Hospice, where relatives, seminarians and church leaders surrounded his bed.
The grieving faithful read scripture and sang favorite church hymns – often in Slavonic.
Although unconscious most of the time, the beloved church leader revived himself long enough to receive Communion.
One of the visitors to his bedside was Roman Catholic Bishop Joseph Adamec.
It was indicative of the kind of leader the metropolitan was.
Father Miloro said Metropolitan Nicholas had an ecumenical approach, often working with the other local bishops – Bishop Adamec as well as Lutheran Bishop Gregory Pyle.
“He did not look negatively on any other Christian church,” Father Miloro said. “The church at large was very, very important to him.”
A statement on the passing of Metropolitan Nicholas was sent by the Rev. Donald B. Green, the executive director of the Council of Christian Associates, of which the metropolitan was a member.
“By his words and actions he strove to heal the breaches within our Christian family,” the Rev. Green wrote.
The metropolitan was born Feb. 23, 1936, the son of the late Anna and Andrew Smisko. After graduating from Perth Amboy High School in New Jersey, he entered Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown to study for the priesthood.
He graduated and was ordained in 1959. His first pastorate was at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Windber, where he served until 1962.
He studied at Patriarchal Theological Academy in Constantinople and traveled extensively through Europe and the Middle East.
Upon returning to the United States, he resumed his studies at the University of Youngstown, Ohio, and at Pitt-Johnstown.
He served at several parishes in the Johnstown area before relocating to New York City to pastor there.
In 1983, he was consecrated as bishop and, in 1985, was installed as the ruling bishop of the church in Johnstown. He was elevated to the rank of metropolitan in 1997.
Despite his important title, Father Miloro said Metropolitan Nicholas was approachable.
“He extended himself to everybody and that included the most common of the common people.”
He was also known for his generosity.
“He assisted seminary students often when they didn’t have enough money to live,” Father Miloro said.
“He very quietly and without any fanfare would help them with food or anything he could do.”
For many years, the metropolitan provided an Easter meal for many who had no other place to go.
“That was just his nature,” Father Miloro said.
In 1997, the metropolitan oversaw the consolidation of diocesan administrative offices into a new chancery office complex constructed next to the cathedral in the city’s West End.
With churches located throughout the country, the office complex could have been erected anywhere, but the metropolitan wanted to make a statement.
“Moving or relocating the headquarters to a larger area would be just like surrendering to me,” he told a newspaper reporter.
“That’s why we chose to stay. I pray it’s an inspiration to all the good people here.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Metropolitan Nicholas Smisko submited photo
Discussion
Church leader loses battle with cancer
- Local News
-
-
Funeral plans set for Jackson Twp. firefighter
Funeral arrangements have been set for a Jackson Township firefighter killed in a tractor accident over the weekend.
-
Fugitive returning – eventually – to Somerset jail
A warden says a man who was arrested in New Jersey after escaping from the Somerset County Jail in 2005 will be returned to the lockup – eventually.
-
Power in Moxham expected to be restored by 1 p.m. Tuesday
One person was sent to the hospital Tuesday after a vehicle slammed into a utility pole in Johnstown leaving some customers without power, authorities said. The one-vehicle crash happened on Bridge Street in the Moxham section of Johnstown at 1:14 a.m., fire Chief Anthony Kovacic said. When firefighters arrived, they found utility wires down, he said. Denny Platt, area manager for Penelec, said 402 customers initially lost power, including North American Hoganas High Alloys, a business which is located on Bridge Street. Power was restored to all but nine customers by 3:30 a.m., he said. The remaining nine customers are expected to have power restored by 1 p.m., Platt said.
-
Easter Seals’ branches join, add services
A June 4 merger of two independent Pennsylvania Easter Seals nonprofit organizations has led to an increased service area and expanded programs, Johnstown Division Director Annette Shearman said.
-
Inmate’s hearing delayed
The first court appearance by a death-row inmate who police and many witnesses say slammed a Cambria County attorney in the face more than a month ago is again delayed.
-
Bedford trial set to open
A man charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a western Bedford County man he called his best friend will attempt to convince a jury that he should not be held responsible for his death.
-
Richland bash sheds Thunder ties
Although no longer officially part of Thunder in the Valley, Richland Bike Bash provides another motorcycle-themed venue for music, food and fun while supporting the Richland Township Fire Department.
-
Pool ’n Pork festival adds new activities
Each year, the Nanty Glo Pool and Park along Lincoln Avenue tries to draw a portion of the leather-clad throngs speeding to Johns-town’s annual Thunder in the Valley event.
-
Police roundup: 2nd man sought in diamond heist
Richland Township police are looking for a second suspect in connection with a jewelry store robbery at The Galleria on Saturday.
-
In brief: West Taylor bridge project underway
Work to replace two structures that cross Wildcat Run and a tributary to Laurel Run on Cooper Avenue, Route 3041, in West Taylor Township began Monday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Funeral plans set for Jackson Twp. firefighter
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets
California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Fla. Teen Catches Ride With Whale Shark
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Investigators Probe Origin of Colo. Wildfire
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Family Tweets Say Kim Kardashian Gives Birth
