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Nikolai Aleksandrovich Anisimov was born in the town of Vyatka. Differing sources give his date of birth as [[November 9]], 1884 and [[November 8]], 1885. His father was military officer and his mother was the daughter of a [[protopriest]]. He attended normal school in Kazan, Russia. Upon completing the normal school he entered the Transfiguration of the Savior Monastery in Kazan as a [[novice]], from where he enrolled in the missionary department of the [[Kazan Theological Academy]].
In 1907, with a blessing from [[John of Kronstadt]], Nikolai decided to devote himself to work as a missionary. On [[April 17]], 1907, Nikolai received his [[tonsure]] as a [[monk]] and received the name Nestor in honor of St Nestor the Chronologist. On [[May 6]], 1907 he was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]], followed three days late, on [[May 9]], with his ordination as a [[priest]]. On [[June 2]], 1907, he departed Kazan for Kamchatka, in far eastern Russia to begin his missionary service. In the foot steps of the earlier missionaries, St [[Innocent of Moscow]] and [[Nicholas of Japan|Nicholas]] and [[Sergius (Tikhomirov) of Japan|Sergius of Japan]], Fr. Nester learned the local Tungus and Koryak languages and began translation of the [[Divine Liturgy]] and the [[Gospel]]s into these languages. For the translations, Fr. Nestor was elevated to [[hegumen]] in 1913.
Realizing the immensity of his mission, Fr Nestor conceived the idea of a charitable brotherhood for the Kamchatka mission. In 1910, with the blessing of his bishop and after great efforts among the royalty and citizens in St Petersburg, the Charitable Kamchatkan Brotherhood was established in Vladivostok on [[September 14]], 1910. Soon sections of the brotherhood formed in many of the major cities of Russia, including Moscow, St Petersburg, and Kiev. Through the Brotherhood, funds, liturgical vessels, and assistance was provided that built many [[church]]es, [[chapel]]s, schools, and hospitals in Kamchatka.