[[Image:nj3.jpg|thumb|left|St. Nicholas, [[Equal-to-the-Apostles|equal to the Apostles]] and [[enlightener]] of Japan]]Nicholas was born Ivan Kasatkin in Berezovsky village, Volsk district, in the province of Smolensk. There his father, Dmitri, served as a [[deacon]]. When the child His mother died when he was five, his mother died. The deacon's family was big and very poor. Despite that , young Ivan was sent to the Belsk [[Theology|Theological]] School and later to the Smolensk Theological [[Seminary]].

In 1857, Ivan, one of the best students, was sent to study in the [[St. Petersburg Theological Academy]], where he demonstrated remarkable talents. When Ivan was about to finish his studies, his future mission—to [[mission]] — to preach the [[Orthodox faith]] in Japan—was Japan — was revealed by Divine Providence.

The Russian consul in Japan sent a request to the [[Holy Synod]] (later forwarded to the Academy), asking for a pastor "who would be useful both as a spiritual director and a scholar , and whose private life would give a good idea of our [[clergy ]] not only to Japanese, but also to foreigners." He filed a petition to [[Bishop]] Nectarius, the [[rector]], asking to profess him and to appoint him to the Russian Consulate in Japan.

Remarkable were the The bishop's words of blessing of the young monk's new [[mission]] were remarkable: "You are supposed to live your [[asceticism|ascetic life]] outside the [[monastery]]. You will have to leave your homeland and to serve God in a country that is distant and unfaithful. Along with the cross of an ascetic you must take your staff of a pilgrim, along with [[monasticism|monastic]] exploits you must embark on an apostolic [[mission]]!"

In June 1860, hieromonk Nicholas set off for his duty station in the town of Hakodate, taking along the [[icon]] of Smolensk [[Theotokos|Mother of God]]. On his way to Japan, he met the renowned bishop of the [[Church of Russia|Russian Church]], St [[Innocent of Alaska|Innocent]] (Veniaminov), [[Archbishop]] of Kamchatka, the Kurile and Aleutian Islands (later Metropolitan of Moscow), called the Apostle of America and Siberia. In Nikolaevsk-on-Amur, he learned from the elder [[missionary]]'s experience all that was necessary to continue his apostolic deeds "even to the end of the earth."

On [[July 2]], 1861 Nicholas arrived in Hakodate. At first, to preach the [[Gospel]] in Japan seemed next to impossible. According to Fr Nicholas' words, "the Japanese of that time regarded foreigners as beasts, and considered Christianity to be a vicious church, to which only notorious evildoers and magicians could belong." It took him eight years to familiarize himself with the country, its people and language, and the customs and traditions of those to whom he had come to preach.

Nicholas learned Japanese culture and language eagerly. Especially after he met Archbp. Innocent (Veniaminov) in September 1861 in Hakodate, his motivation seemed to be accelerated. In Japan, the young Nicholas tried to keep his competence for Western languages and read foreign books. Innocent eventually found him read reading Western book eventually, books and scorned him. According to Innocent, the all efforts of Nicholas ' efforts should have been toward learning Japanese language, culture and history so that he would be able to make a correct translation of the Scripture. Nicholas was impressed greatly with the words of Archbp. Innocent and meekly pursuadedsubmitted and was obedient to him.

[[Hieromonk]] Nicholas attended popular gatherings to listen to visitant visiting storytellers and Buddhist preachers. By 1868, Fr Nicholas had already mastered spoken Japanese. His knowledge of the history of Japan was deeper than that of many Japanese. In the meantime, he also learned English, which was becoming an international language. By that time the congregation of Fr Nicholas ' [[congregation]] numbered about 20 men and women.

In late 1869, hieromonk Nicholas came to St. Petersburg to report on the results of his work to the Synod. A decision was made "to set up a special Russian Ecclesiastical [[Mission ]] to preach God's Word among [[paganism|pagans]]." Fr Nicholas was promoted to the rank of [[archimandrite]] and appointed head of the [[Mission]].

Upon his return to Japan, the prospective [[bishop]] turned over his Hakodate's congregation to hieromonk [[Anatoly Tikhai|Anatole]], his new associate, and relocated the [[missionary ]] centre to Tokyo.

 [[Image:NikolaiJapan188207.jpg|thumb|left|Bishop Nicholas from group picture of All Japan Council of 1882]]In 1871, the persecution of Christians began in Japan, which affected many people, including [[Paul Sawabe]], the first Orthodox Japanese, who would later become a famous [[missionary ]] [[priest]].

In 1874, His Eminence Paul, Bishop of Kamchatka, arrived in Tokyo to [[ordination|ordain ]] local candidates recommended by Archimandrite Nicholas. By that time, there were four schools in Tokyo: a catechist school, a seminary, a girls' school, and a clerical school; and two schools in Hakodate, one for boys and one for girls.

In late 1877, the Mission began to publish a magazine, ''The Church Herald'', on a regular basis. By 1878, there were 4115 4,115 Christians in Japan. In public worship and the education of local communities, the vernacular was used. The publication of books on spirituality and [[ethics]] was initiated as well.

Since then, From this moment Bishop Nicholas continued his apostolic labour with even greater zeal. He finished in 1891 completed the construction of the [[Holy Resurrection Cathedral (Tokyo, Japan)]], in 1891 and then proceeded with the translation of liturgical books, and composed ''The Orthodox Theological Dictionary'' in Japanese. He paid much attention while continuing to attend to the needs of the numerous Orthodox communities.

The Russian-Japanese War of 1905, however, turned out to be the time of ordeals for St Nicholas and his flock. He withstood them with honour, to the great surprise of the Japanese. He found a way to help Russian prisoners of war in their difficult situation. In recognition of this unprecedented effort, he was promoted to the rank of [[archbishop]].

In 1911, after fifty years' [[missionary ]] work of St Nicholas, the [[Church of Japan]] numbered 266 communities, including 33,017 Orthodox [[laity|laymen]], one archbishop, one bishop, 35 priests, six deacons, 14 teachers of singing, and 116 catechists.

Throughout his life, St Nicholas set an example of a true spiritual director wholly devoted to his ministry. He was a man of inexhaustible energy, firm commitment, and outstanding efficiency. He said once: "I consider it inappropriate for a [[missionary ]] to retire unless he is totally unable to serve. I have never tried on a 'robe de chambre,' not even in my dreams. I would better die on the field where God's Providence destined me to plough and sow."

*[http://www.orthodox.clara.net/mission_lectureTheology/mission1.htm "Orthodox Christian Mission"] a talk by Fr. Gregory Hallam