At the ceremony Dr. Obren B. (Brian) Gerich, a parishioner of St. Steven’s and a Trustee Emeritus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, who underwrote funding for the book, paid tribute to Fr. Nick and his ministry, saying, “I wanted to honor Fr. Nick’s dedication to our cathedral and his unrelenting willingness to spend his free time serving and contributing to the Serbian Church and the Holy Orthodox Church.”
“According to the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church,” Dr. Gerich continued, “our gifts are meant to be used for the benefit of others, which, according to the Church’s teaching, turns them into virtues, which is the ‘entrance fee’ into heaven—and this is what our Fr. Nick has spent his life doing for us.” (Read Dr. Gerich’s full remarks here.)
Archpriest Chad Hatfield, chancellor/CEO of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, presented Fr. Nick with beautifully framed artwork depicting the cover of the children’s book. He remarked, "This book by Jim Forest has been illustrated by iconographer Vladislav Andreyev, who also illustrated our press’s Saint George and the Dragon book, which won the ‘Moonbeam Spirit Award for Preservation’ for children's literature."
See a gallery of photos of the dedication by Andreana Ceko.
Order Saint Nicholas and the Nine Gold Coins.
