Nicholas N and Sophie S Ozerov

Nicholas Nikolaievich Ozerov (1928-2003)

and

Sophie Sergeievna Ozerov (born Ossorguine) (1931-2021)

Nicholas may be spelt Nikolai, Nikolaos, Nikolay, Nicolas.

Militza may be spelt Militsa.

Sophie may be spelt Sofie, Sophia, Sofia.

Ozerov may be spelt Ozeroff, Ozerow.

Early life of Nikolai Nikolaievich Ozerov

On 22 December, 1928, Nikolai Nikolaievich Ozerov was born in Kiev (Kyiv), Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. He was born to Nikolai and Militza Ozerov.

Nikolai Nikolaievich was born into an Orthodox Christian family, and he was raised as an Orthodox Christian. He received his primary education in his homeland.

Emigration, 1943

By 1943, a multitude of people living in the occupied Soviet Union territories were being removed to Germany, most of them to forced labour camps. Others were placed in various camps for displaced persons (DP). The number of displaced persons (refugees) increased rapidly when the Nazi-German armed forces began their retreat from Ukraine in late 1943.

Included in this large movement were, besides the lay-people, bishops, priests, deacons, monks, and nuns. It was a difficult situation for everyone, but especially for Orthodox Christians.

In Bavaria, 1943

When the Ozerov family left Ukraine in 1943, they settled in Munich, Bavaria. It was there that Nikolai Nikolaievich received his secondary education at the Realgymnasium for “die Staatenlosen” (the stateless) in Munich.

It was usual that any now-stateless family living in Germany during and after World War II lived in very difficult circumstances, poverty, deprivation, and hunger.

Nevertheless, there were bishops, priests, and deacons of the Orthodox Church who were in the same situation as these numerous refugees, and they were soon organised in such a way as to care for the spiritual needs of the multitudes. This was done in co-operation with the previously resident clergy of Germany.

While they were living in Germany, the Ozerov family became acquainted providentially with Nikolai Sergeevich Arsenieff, who provided them with an invitation to emigrate to the United States of America.

Emigration to USA, 1948

Nikolai Nikolaievich immigrated to the USA with his family in 1948, and they settled in New York.

Higher Education

In 1949, Nicholas N Ozerov began studies at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York City (at that time associated with Columbia University). The seminary subsisted in rented apartments (at 537 West 121st Street, New York City, New York (at Broadway), in the Morningside Heights neighbourhood).

N N Ozerov graduated from the seminary in 1954.

Afterwards, Nicholas continued his studies at Columbia University, and at Union Theological Seminary, from which he received a Master of Arts degree in Theology.

Later, he received a Ph.D. degree from Columbia University, after which he began to work as a teacher and author in Slavic languages.

Teaching career

During the many years of his teaching career, Nicholas Ozerov worked as a professor in Slavic languages in Rutgers University, the University of Virginia, Columbia University, and Yale University.

In 1956, the Ozerov family were naturalised as USA citizens in Brooklyn, New York.

Bereavement, 1957

On 12 February, 1957, Sophie Ozerov’s father, Sergei M Ossorguine, fell asleep in the Lord at Sea Cliff, New York.

Following the funeral obsequies, his body was interred at Roslyn Cemetery in Greenvale, New York.

Marriage, 1957

In 1957, Nicholas N Ozerov was married to Sophie Ossorguine. Their crowning in marriage was blessed at Sea Cliff, New York.

Sophia Sergeievna Ossorguine had been born in Paris, France, on 10 March, 1931, to Sergei Mikhailovitch Ossorguine and his wife Sophia Nikolaievna Gagarina. Sergei Mikhailovitch was born in Sergievskoye, Russia, and Sophia Nikolaeivna was born in Moscow, Russia. After the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, they emigrated first to Baden-Baden in Germany, and then they settled in Paris, France. Her father had arrived from France to New York City by air on 2 March, 1953. Sophia, her mother, and her brother had arrived from France by ship to New York City on 23 March, 1953.

After the marriage, Nicholas and Sophie received from the Lord 3 sons : Nicholas, Michael, and Serge. Later, they were blessed with 8 grandchildren.

In 1958, Sophie S Ossorguine was naturalised as a citizen of the USA.

Teaching at Saint Vladimir's Seminary

Mr. N N Ozerov taught Old Testament and Russian at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary from 1958 until 1964.

Already, on 14 November, 1958 the following was announced in "Amerikanski Srbobran" :

A one year course in the training of Psalm readers and choir directors has been opened at St. 
Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary here, it was announced by Seminary officials.  The 
course of lectures to train directors and readers will be given in the evenings, four times a week, 
in two-hour periods.  The director of courses is Boris Ledkovsky.  'The lectures are designed to 
serve a most pressing need of our Church', he said.  'Subjects will include Sacred Music, 
Liturgical Practice and Church Slavonic'.  Secretary of the training program is Mr. Nicholas Ozerov, 
at the Seminary, 537 West 121st Street, New York 27, N. Y., to whom all inquiries should 
be directed.

Nicholas Ozerov (second row, far right) with Saint Vladimir's Teaching Staff, 1962

During his years as a student at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, he had encountered students from Canada ; and during his teaching years, he taught Canadian students who, at that time, still were required to use Church Slavonic in liturgical services, and to speak and read Russian and Ukrainian in pastoral service with the people.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, N N Ozerov served variously as the seminary’s Secretary, Librarian, and Provost.

Saint Vladimir's Seminary, 1960s

The first chapel

Bereavement, 1970

On 17 September, 1970, Sophie Ozerov’s mother, Sophia Ossorguine (born Gagarina), fell asleep in the Lord in New York City.

Soon afterwards, the Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was served for her at Sea Cliff, New York.

Following the funeral obsequies, her body was interred at Roslyn Cemetery in Greenvale, New York.

Bereavement, 1975

In 1975, Militza Ozerov fell asleep in the Lord.

Soon afterwards, the Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was served for her.

Following the funeral obsequies, her body was interred at the East Hillside Cemetery, Glen Head, New York.

Grave-marker of Nicholas and Militza Ozerov

Bereavement, 1986

In 1986, Nicholas Ozerov (Sr) fell asleep in the Lord.

Soon afterwards, the Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was served for him.

Following the funeral obsequies, his body was interred at the East Hillside Cemetery, Glen Head, New York.

Continued service

Nicholas N Ozerov served also as choir director at Lady of Kazan Church at Sea Cliff, Long Island, New York. His wife, Sofia Sergeievna was singing in this choir as well.

Our Lady of Kazan Temple, Sea Cliff, New York

In 2001, Nicholas Ozerov's son Nicholas designed and constructed a new bell-house for the Chapel of Saint Sergius at Labelle, Québec. This was done in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the community in Labelle. The plaque within records that the structure is dedicated to Serge and Luba Troubetzkoy. The largest of the bells is from a Canadian Pacific Railway steam-locomotive. The string of 4 smaller bells came from Russia, and one of them is dated 1785.

Members of the Ozerov family spent part of the summer regularly at Labelle, along with their relatives, and Saint Vladimir Seminary colleagues.

Saint Sergius Chapel, bell-house on the right

Repose of Nicholas Ozerov, 2003

On Wednesday, 16 April, 2003, Nicholas N Ozerov fell asleep in the Lord after a short illness at Glen Cove, Nassau County, New York.

On Saturday, 19 April, 2003, at 10:30 a.m., the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Lay-person were offered at Our Lady of Kazan Church, Sea Cliff, New York.

After the conclusion of the funeral obsequies, his body was interred at Roslyn Cemetery in New York Greenvale, New York.

Nicholas N Ozerov was survived by his wife, Sophie, their sons and their wives, and their children.

Sophia Sergeievna continued to sing in the parish choir at Our Lady of Kazan Church, Sea Cliff, for as long as her health permitted (that is, until she lacked the strength to continue).

Repose of Sophie Ozerov, 2021

On Thursday, 2 December, 2021, Sophie Ozerov (born Ossorguine) fell asleep in the Lord in New York.

On Sunday, 5 December, 2021, at 11:30 a.m., according to the records available, the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Lay-person took place at Our Lady of Kazan Orthodox Church, 2 Willow Shore Avenue, Sea Cliff, New York. This unusual day and time for the funeral was in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions on public gatherings and services that were in effect at that time.

Following the funeral obsequies, at 2:30 p.m., the body of Sophie Ozerov was interred at Roslyn Cemetery at New York Greenvale, New York.

Sophie Ozerov was survived by her 3 sons, their wives, and their 8 grandchildren.

References

Russian Religious Workers Abroad biography

Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary Yearbook, 1962.

Additional information :

Illinois University of Urbana-Champaign Archives (IUUC Archives). F. 15/35/52. Russian Student Fund Records. Box 6.

Schmemann, Protopresbyter Alexander, “Diaries, 1973-1983” (Moscow : Russian Way, 2005), pp. 662-717.

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America” (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

Orthodox Church in America (OCA) web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, New York

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Chapel, Crestwood, New York

History of Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary

Our Lady of Kazan Church, Sea Cliff, New York

Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)

Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)

Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)

Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)

Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen)

Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)