On Friday, September 4, during the Afterfeast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Bishop Jerome (Shaw) presided over the services for the departed at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ, marking the 50th anniversary of the repose of Archbishop Nikon (Rklitsky). Concelebrating with His Grace were Archpriests Serge Lukianov (dean of New Jersey), Nikolai Manduke (cleric of the Memorial Church), and Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of the same), and Protodeacons Leonid Roschko (cleric of the Memorial Church) and Paul Drozdowski (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ).

Buried within the church are two revered archbishops: Nikon (Rklitsky; d. 1976) of Washington and Florida, and Vitaly (Maximenko; d. 1960) of Eastern America and Jersey City.

According to the recollections of Bishop Jerome (Shaw):

"Archbishop Nikon deeply believed in the future resurrection of Russia and the Russian monarchy, and even that Russia would one day hold a preëminent place in the world. He was also certain that the ecclesiastical division that arose within the Russian Orthodox Church in the 20th century would come to an end and that the center of our Church would once again be in Russia. At the same time, His Eminence was a great proponent of missionary work among non-Russians…"

Archbishop Nikon treated everyone with fatherly love. He was always courteous, benevolent, and accessible; he invariably answered letters personally. When visiting parishes, His Eminence always urged the flock to support their priests. He showed the same love toward priests who served outside the Russian Church Abroad.

He reposed on September 4, 1976.

A Collection of Articles and Sermons by Archbishop Nikon

Recollections of Archbishop Nikon by Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov (Russian language)