Protopresbyter George and Popadia Vera Nicoloff

Protopresbyter George Nicoloff (1906-1997)

and

Popadia Vera Nicoloff (born Buneva) (1916-2012)

George may be spelt Georgi.

Nicoloff may be spelt Nikoloff, Nikolov.

— from a memorial announcement and other writings (edited).

Early life of George Nicoloff

George Nicoloff was born in Sofia, Bulgaria on 9 October, 1906. His parents were Macedonian-Bulgarian refugees from the Ottoman Empire, who had fled to Bulgaria. This flight was in part a consequence of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1879 which led to the establishment of Bulgaria as a sovereign state free from the Ottomans. In addition to the politics, the Ottomans, being Muslim, constantly put negative pressure on the Bulgarians who were Orthodox Christians.

George was raised in the bosom of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and his spiritual formation was there. Growing up in that environment, he naturally came to understand how to be a true human being.

Higher education

George Nicoloff entered and then graduated from the Theological Seminary and the Theological Faculty of the University of Sofia.

After completing his theological studies, he became the editor of a weekly magazine devoted to the Macedonian movement for freedom.

In 1930, he won a scholarship to study towards a doctorate degree in theology and philosophy at the University of Vienna, Austria. While he was in Vienna, he also worked as a correspondent for the main national newspaper of Bulgaria, reporting on the beginnings of the Nazi movement in Austria. Of course, in order to do this, he must already have mastered the German language.

His studies were cut short, because he was called back to Sofia to help support his family (as the eldest) when his father lost his business during the Great Depression (1929 through the 1930s). During this time, working as a leader amongst the Bulgarians from Macedonia, he travelled across Bulgaria. He gave speeches on the Macedonian fight for human rights (the people were then under persecution), and he helped to organise aid to the Macedonian-Bulgarian refugees in Bulgaria. In this capacity, he had the opportunity to meet with Father Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli (later to become Pope John XXIII), who represented the Vatican for over 10 years in Bulgaria, and who raised funds to help the Macedonian refugees for whom the young George Nicoloff worked.

While he was working in Sofia, George Nicoloff met his future wife, Vera Buneva.

Early life of Vera Buneva

On 26 October, 1916, Vera Buneva was born to the Bunev family, in Tetovo, Macedonia. This is a town with a very ancient history, part of this history being associated with the Illyrian people. The Bunev family was known for their patriotism and self-sacrifice under oppressive regimes.

In 1934, Vera Bunev fled persecution in her own country (Macedonia), and she began to live in Sofia, Bulgaria. There, early in 1935, she met her future husband, George Nicoloff.

Marriage, 1935

In September, 1935, George Nicoloff was married to Vera Buneva.

Ordinations, 1935

Soon after the marriage, George Nicoloff was ordained to the Holy Diaconate and then to the Holy Priesthood.

Pastoral service

Transfer to the USA, 1935

Very soon after the ordinations, the young couple received a request in a letter from North America to serve the Saint Clement of Ohrid Macedonian-Bulgarian Parish in Detroit, Michigan, USA. With the blessing of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, they accepted the request and they prepared to emigrate.

The request that they had received was that they move to the USA in order to lead a freshly re-organised parish group which had suffered many economic difficulties in its previous 8 years of existence, and which had suffered the loss of their church because of the Great Depression’s effects. However, the local chapter of the Macedonian Patriotic Organisation bought the church property so that the parish would not lose its church building, and eventually gave the deed to the parish.

After having sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, and then having travelled by rail to Detroit, Father George and "Popadia" Vera arrived in Detroit on Christmas Eve (24 December) of 1935.

At that time, Father George became the first priest of the newly-named Saint Clement of Ochrid Church. He was at the same time serving as the third priest of the Bulgarian community in Detroit.

The following years of service were marked by more economic difficulties, but this time the community was able (with the leadership of their priest and popadia) to meet the challenge and to survive and then to grow.

By 1947, the community had been able to construct a parish hall next to the Temple. Father George and Popadia Vera’s whole life of service in the Church was one with a distinctly missionary character. They both imitated Christ in love and service. For nearly a decade after his arrival, Father Nicoloff was the only Bulgarian Orthodox Priest in the USA.

Parish development with teamwork

After arriving in Detroit in 1935, Popadia Vera, being not quite 20 years old at the time, quickly formed and directed the choir. She continued to direct this choir until 1991. She was always pleased to comment that she had been tutored in directing by the Archpriest Sergei Glagolev and by the Archpriest Igor Soroka, both of them renowned musicians.

In time, they received from the Lord 4 children. Nicholas and Clement, twins, arrived in 1937, while “Otets” (Father) George was attending an annual convention of the Macedonian Patriotic Organisation (these conventions were held in various cities in the USA).

Such was the depth of the involvement of Father George in the life of the City of Detroit, right from his arrival with Popadia Vera, that he was later described as a "chaplain for Detroit during the Depression".

From the very beginning, Father George cared for new immigrants who, as he and Popadia Vera, were arriving in Detroit and trying to find their place. He helped them to find a place in which to live, and also to find work. Sometimes, of course, it was necessary to care for those who did not live long in this new place, and to comfort their grieving relatives. Then, and throughout his life, when people would expect to be required to give him some financial compensation, he would say, “No charge, no charge. I did it for love”. Nevertheless, the Lord provided for him and his family. On one occasion, people cleverly collected some money anonymously in order to help their pastor.

In 1942, while Father George was absent at the same convention, Boris was born. Both times, Popadia Vera was cared for by loving parishioners of the parish of Saint Clement.

Their daughter, Mary Ann, arrived in 1948. After her arrival, her brother Boris divided himself between games with his brothers, and watching over and playing with his new sister.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Popadia Vera spent many nights alone with the children as Father (“Otets”) travelled to Macedonian-Bulgarian communities across the USA and Canada to baptise, marry and bury the Faithful. He ministered to literally thousands during his lifetime. These communities, with Father George’s help, organised into parishes, which are now part of The Orthodox Church in America in the Bulgarian Diocese.

In the 1950s, Father George introduced the English language into the parish’s worship services and communications. Despite some resistance, Father continued to ensure that the language of the services was understood by all. As well, Father George had a missionary impact in Communist-run Eastern Europe as a result of his radio broadcasts over the Voice of America. He recorded sermons for over 30 years (during some years, weekly), as well as having a monthly radio show on religious news, often describing the religious life of Orthodox Christians in North America and the role of their priest and parishes. He received messages from listeners (sent very confidentially) that his broadcasts meant very much to them, because it was the only way they could hear the Name of the Lord. This was because Communist Bulgaria severely persecuted the Church and her faithful. Father George continued to use his journalistic talents by writing many articles for the "Macedonian Tribune", based in Indiana, which is the oldest Macedonian newspaper in the world (published continuously since 1927). Also, Father George and other members of the Macedonian-Bulgarian community from America and Canada met with United Nations (UN) representatives to petition for the human rights of their brothers and sisters in Eastern Europe. Father George was especially pleased to meet with the Right Honourable Lester B Pearson (at that time the Canadian Minister of External Affairs) to discuss the human rights situation in Macedonia.

During World War II, Father George (with the help of other Orthodox priests in Detroit) developed an English-language catechism and prayer-book for soldiers. Each military member of his parish received a book inscribed from the parish and Father George. Because of his commitment to inter-Orthodox unity, in Detroit during the 1950s, Father George helped in the formation of the Orthodox Council of Churches there. As well, he was a member of the Detroit Council of Churches, an ecumenical Christian group.

Saint Clement of Ochrid Church, Detroit

Founding a new parish, 1964

Popadia Vera continued in her responsibility of leading the choir, and helping her husband and the parishioners throughout the parish difficulties and challenges of the 1960s. Father George and Popadia Vera then led the establishment of Saint Paul’s Macedonian-Bulgarian Cathedral in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, in 1964.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

In all the Orthodox dioceses in North America (including the Metropolia/OCA), after the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, there arose confusion and divisions for some time in many places. In Bulgaria, within a month or so of taking power in 1944, the communists arrested and jailed the Metropolitan of Plovdiv, the future Patriarch of Bulgaria, Kyril (Konstantinoff). With communist support, Metropolitan Kyril was elected in 1953 to become the first patriarch of the restored Bulgarian Patriarchate. The Metropolitan of the Diocese of Vratsa in Vratsa, Paisi (Ankov), was likewise imprisoned at the same time. They were released some time in the spring of 1945. Stories were later circulated that they had been tortured and humiliated. There were very many others who were likewise imprisoned because of their Orthodox Christian Faith. There were very significant connexions occurring both in Europe and in North America (what people often mistakenly call “coincidences”). One such connexion is the fact that some of the prison companions of the 2 metropolitans had relatives in the USA. Popadia Vera’s brother Boris was one such prison companion.

During the course of the many years of their service to the Macedonians and Bulgarians of Detroit, their pastoral service extended across the Canadian border to Windsor, Ontario. There, immigrants from Macedonia and Bulgaria lived as well. There was an informal association with the "Metropolia" parish of Saint John the Divine, which they would sometimes attend. Either Father George would sometimes visit the Maconian/Bulgarian immigrants in the Windsor area, or they would sometimes go to him in Detroit.

In 1964, a new work began with the development of the re-organised parish. At about the same time, parts of the Bulgarian Diocese followed the newly-ordained Bishop Kyrill (Yonchev) (later Archbishop) into the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). This move had been prompted by certain political developments in Bulgaria at the time. Bishop Kyrill and his parishes remained in the ROCOR for 12 years.

In 1971, Father George Nicoloff was elevated to the dignity of protopresbyter, the highest level attainable for a married priest in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and in the OCA.

Entering the OCA, 1976

Then, in 1976, Bishop Kyrill (Yonchev) and his diocese separated from the ROCOR and joined The Orthodox Church in America (OCA). With Popadia Vera’s support, Father George was instrumental in working with Bishop Kyrill to accomplish this move. Father George and Popadia Vera believed firmly in the vision of Father Alexander Schmemann for an autocephalous Orthodox Church in their adopted American homeland.

In 1976, Bishop Kyrill (Yonchev) was assigned to be the ruling bishop of this Bulgarian Diocese under the OCA. The Bulgarian diocese included parishes in Ontario, and particularly in Toronto. Father George was involved with them along with Bishop Kyrill for the purpose of administration and meetings. Later, after retirement, both he and Popadia Vera would visit their daughter Mary Ann in Ottawa, Ontario, during the Paschal season.

“Otets”, as he was lovingly called by many, continued to serve actively at Saint Paul’s Cathedral until his retirement in 1991. At about that time, their son Boris settled in Detroit. Besides being active in his other musical and artistic activities, he helped to care for his ageing parents throughout the following years.

In addition to working for her parish and Macedonian community, Popadia Vera worked as an enthusiastic volunteer in local hospitals and she provided home hospice care. She crocheted at least a thousand afghans which she donated to hospitals, monastic communities, friends, neighbours and many others.

All the children of Father George and Popadia Vera, and the grandchildren also, serve the Church in choirs, parish councils and other active ministries. In time, Nicholas married Elinore Eftimoff ; Clement married Audrey Brewer, and he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate ; Boris became a competent church musician and an iconographer. He was a graduate of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary. He sang in, founded and directed choirs. He painted a great many icons, and other artistic works. Mary Ann, their youngest child, married Nikita Lopoukhine (whom she had met at a Christmas college retreat, a retreat series developed by Boris), and she settled in Ottawa, Ontario. Mary Ann, as her brothers, has remained a committed and active Orthodox Christian with a missionary disposition and a strong propensity to Christian service. Father George and Popadia Vera delighted in all their children, and especially in their 7 grandchildren and their 2 great-grandchildren.

Repose of Father George, 1997

Protopresbyter George Nicoloff fell asleep in the Lord on 19 April, 1997, which was Lazarus Saturday, in the Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan.

After his repose, several Panikhidas (memorial services) were offered for the newly-departed Protopresbyter George Nicoloff.

The Funeral Services for the Burial of a Priest took place on Holy Wednesday, 23 April, which was also the day of Father’s patron saint, Saint George. In Saint Paul's Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, at 9:00 a.m. on Holy Wednesday, Archbishop Kyrill (Yonchev) presided over the services, in which he was assisted by various clergy.

After the funeral services, “Otets” George's body was interred at the Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit.

His last days, his repose in Christ, and his funeral services were all filled with blessings.

"Otets" George Nicoloff

For the next 15 years after her husband’s repose, Popadia Vera continued to live in Detroit, to attend church, to pray, to embrace and support her family, to care for others, and to give hospitality as she always had done.

Repose of Popadia Vera, 2012

Popadia Vera Nicoloff, beloved wife and co-worker of Protopresbyter George Nicoloff of the Bulgarian Diocese of The Orthodox Church in America, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, 24 August, 2012.

On Wednesday, 29 August, at 2:00 p.m., Popadia Vera's body was brought to Saint Paul's Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, at which time, people could visit.

On Wednesday, 20 August, at 7:00 p.m., a Panikhida (Memorial Service) was served for Popadia Vera at the cathedral.

On Thursday, 30 August, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., the cathedral was opened for an hour of visitation before the funeral.

On Thursday, 30 August, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at Saint Paul's Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral, the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Lay-person were offered in the cathedral.

After the funeral services, the body of Popadia Vera Nicoloff was interred beside that of her husband, at the Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit.

On 31 January, 2016, their son Boris Nicoloff fell asleep in the Lord in Detroit, Michigan.

Popadia Vera Nicoloff

Grand Lawn Cemetery

Reflections

Archbishop Kyrill (Yonchev) described “Otets” George as being “an extremely devoted clergyman”.

After his repose in Christ, Father George was given recognition as a significant community leader when his family was asked to provide his papers and journals to the Bentley Historical Library. This library serves as the official archives for documenting the history of the State of Michigan. Protopresbyter George Nicoloff is the first (and only) Orthodox priest to be so honoured by the State of Michigan.

In 2000, his family published a collection of remembrances of Father George Nicoloff, a testament to the many lives he touched for the good. His granddaughter, Alexandra Lopoukhine, wrote in 1997 (then aged 20) :

 The passage of my grandfather left me in an unquestionable resolution that God exists, and that life is truly 
 eternal.  My feelings towards the falling asleep of my only known grandfather leaves me assured that his last 
 gift to all of us was a death that made God present in all our sights.  Even unto death, my grandfather lived 
 unselfishly, putting all of our needs before his.  He is my personal intercessor and for that I am eternally 
 grateful to be the granddaughter of a truly humble and blessed man.

Father George and Popadia Vera were tireless missionaries for the Lord, building up the spiritual life of immigrants from Bulgaria and Macedonia. They also helped them to find work and housing, to learn English, to become good citizens, to register their children for school, and to tend to the many practical tasks of helping new-comers to America. They never forgot their homeland of Macedonia, and they worked for her freedom and independence and for the basic human rights of the people.

Popadia Vera was a shining example of full partnership with her husband’s mission and love for the Lord. In total faith, and as a loving mother, she called on the Mother of God daily for her prayers and intervention with her Beloved Son. She left a legacy of love for her parish, for all who knew her, and for the many who are warmed by her hand-made knit blankets.

This legacy of love was felt also in Ottawa where she attended services while visiting her daughter. Likewise, her husband left a similar legacy from the times of his visits there.