Prešov, Slovakia, February 5, 2026
Photo: eparchiapo.sk
His Beatitude Metropolitan Rastislav of Prešov and Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia celebrated Divine Liturgy on February 1, at the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky in Prešov, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the repose of his predecessor, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolaj.
In his homily, Met. Rastislav reflected on the parable of the Publican and Pharisee, emphasizing the approaching Great Lent and the importance of humble prayer. He also praised Met. Nikolaj as an example of faithful service to Christ and His Church, reports the Prešov Diocese.
Reflecting on St. Paul’s instructions to imitate the faith of leaders who speak the word of God (Heb. 13:7), Met. Rastislav said: “For many of us, such a person was the long-serving Archbishop of Prešov and Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, Vladyka Nikolaj. Two days ago marked 20 years since his departure into eternity, but time hasn’t erased his memory in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.”
Met. Nikolaj. Photo: Wikipedia
He noted that Met. Nikolaj dedicated his entire life to Christ and His Church, serving for more than 40 years as a bishop during a complex period that required great spiritual strength, diplomacy, and foresight. “The fall of communism, the advent of democracy, the construction of new churches, and many other social and ecclesiastical challenges were for him an opportunity, and for the rest of us an example of how to manifest sincere faith in God, trust in His providence, and faithfulness to the service of the Church until the last moment,” the Metropolitan stated.
Met. Nikolaj, born Mikuláš Kocvár on December 19, 1927, in Hanigovce, studied at the Orthodox Seminary in Prague. He was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in August 1950 at the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky in Prešov.
In 1959 he earned a Candidate of Theology degree from the Moscow Theological Academy for his dissertation on the Unia and Orthodoxy in Transcarpathia and the Prešov region. He was consecrated Bishop of Prešov on February 28, 1965. In 1987, he was elevated to Archbishop.
On April 14, 2000, he was elected Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia and was installed on June 4, 2000. Met. Nikolaj died after a prolonged illness on January 30, 2006, at the age of 78.
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