St. Nicholas Planas - 00STNP01

Feast Day/Commemorated: August 24

Early Life and Familial Challenges

Saint Nicholas Planas was born in 1851 on the Greek island of Naxos to pious, well-to-do Orthodox Christian parents who even had a chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra on their property. From a young age, he displayed a deep inclination towards faith, often "playing church" with a bedsheet and serving as an altar boy for his grandfather, Father George Melissourgos. When he was fourteen, his father died, prompting his mother to move to Athens with him and his sister. His mother supported the family by cleaning homes, often taking her children along due to fears of leaving them alone in the bustling city. These early experiences, marked by both spiritual nurturing and the harsh realities of poverty and urban life, shaped his character.

Marriage, Ordination, and Early Trials as a Priest

At seventeen, Nicholas's mother arranged his marriage to Eleni Provelegiou, and they soon had a son named John. Nicholas was ordained a deacon in 1879 and a priest in 1884, but his young wife died shortly after, leaving him a widower with a young child. Following his diaconal ordination, he and his sister divided their inheritance. Father Nicholas selflessly used his portion as collateral for a neighbor's debt, only to lose everything when the neighbor defaulted. His initial parish assignment was to the small Church of Saint Panteleimon, consisting of just thirteen families. However, another priest soon convinced the parish council to dismiss Father Nicholas. This unjust dismissal caused him great pain until, while weeping on the road, he encountered a young man who revealed himself as Saint Panteleimon, assuring him, "Don't be sad, my Father, I am always with you." This was the first of many visions of saints and angels he would receive, which he humbly denied throughout his life to avoid a reputation for holiness.

A Life Centered on the Daily Divine Liturgy

The spiritual core of Father Nicholas Planas's life was the Divine Liturgy, which he celebrated every single day for fifty years. Regardless of winter's cold or summer's heat, his Liturgies would begin early and often last until early afternoon, a testament to his profound dedication. The extended duration was due to his meticulous prayers for hundreds of individuals, both living and deceased, whose names he kept on countless slips of paper, referring to them as his "invoices and contracts." Despite his assistants' attempts to shorten the service by secretly discarding older prayer requests, he remained steadfast. When questioned about his long hours in church, he simply replied, "When you open your shop, don't you sit inside all day? And for me, church is the same." During the Liturgy, he was reportedly seen levitating or surrounded by a glimmering light, and numerous miracles—including physical and mental healings, resolutions of family discord, and prophecies—were attributed to his prayers.

Humility and Unconventional Wisdom

Saint Nicholas Planas embodied an unconventional image of a priest, far removed from worldly success or intellectual renown. He did not serve in grand cathedrals or deliver eloquent sermons to large crowds. He was a short, unassuming man with little formal education, simple in speech and behavior, and as he aged, he lost most of his teeth, making his speech unclear. Many worldly individuals, even within the Church, often dismissed him as foolish. On one occasion, when an argument broke out in his presence, he humbly hid under a table. Yet, he possessed a quiet wisdom, once telling a spiritual daughter, "Do you think, my child, that I don’t know how to speak out? I know, but I think of the results, and so I keep quiet." This simple, humble demeanor belied the profound spiritual depth and discernment that characterized his ministry.

Repose and Enduring Legacy of Liturgical Devotion

Father Nicholas Planas celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the last time on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. Immediately after completing the service, he suffered a fainting spell and was taken home, where he peacefully reposed on March 2, 1932, cared for by his son John and daughter-in-law Marigoula. In 1992, he was glorified as a saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and his memory is commemorated on the day of his repose. Saint Nicholas Planas was not a foreign missionary, a confessor, a martyr, or a learned theologian. He was, fundamentally, a parish priest whose entire life revolved around prayerfully serving the Divine Liturgy, day in and day out. His life powerfully illustrates the immense grace and spiritual power found in the Holy Eucharist, where, as Christ promised, believers intimately encounter Him. Through his unwavering devotion to the Divine Liturgy and frequent Holy Communion, Father Nicholas was filled with the peace, power, and love of the Lord, serving as a timeless example of how ordinary priests can achieve extraordinary sanctity through profound liturgical faith.

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