Fundraiser for Funeral Expenses

With a very heavy heart, we regret to inform the faithful that on August 11th, 2021 in Cleveland, Hieromonk Nikolai (formerly priest Serhii Chebotar) reposed after a long battle with cancer. He was 36 years old when he fell asleep in the Lord. 

Fr. Nikolai came to Cleveland for his first lung transplant 8 years ago from Pochaev monastery in Ukraine, where he had been the choir director. In August of 2020, he received his second lung transplant. He developed cancer shortly thereafter. After his cancer diagnosis, he was tonsured into the small schema with the name Nikolai, in honor of St. Nicholas of Myra, which was his life long dream. Fr. Nikolai was released from Cleveland Clinic this past Monday into Hospice care and returned home. His mother had arrived two weeks prior and his dear friend Archimandrite Dosifey from Kiev Theological Academy arrived in Cleveland on Tuesday night. Wednesday morning Fr. Nikolai received Holy Unction and partook of Holy Communion. The Canon with the prayer for the departure of the soul from the body was read after. He reposed peacefully in the Lord as the Akathist to his patron saint was being read at 3:30 p.m. He will be buried at Pochaev monastery.

It was his last wish to be buried in the Pochaev monastery in Ukraine. This is where he began his spiritual journey and considered it to be his spiritual home. The transporatation of his remains to the Pochaev monastery is very costly. Please consider helping to fulfill his last wish.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He has greatly touched so many hearts with his kindness, generosity and prayers. He spent his life serving God with his immense musical talents both vocally and in conducting. Let us show our love and gratitude to him by fulfullling his last wish. May his memory be eternal!

Visitation from 5-8 pm with Parastas (Panakhida) on Friday, August 13th at 7 p.m. at the St. Sergius Cathedral.

Divine Liturgy - Saturday , August 14th- 8:30 a.m. prior to the funeral.

Funeral- St. Sergius Cathedral on Saturday, August 14th- 11 a.m.

Cathedral address- 6520 Broadview Road, Parma OH 44134
Donations can also be made directly to St. Sergius Russian Orthodox Cathedral via check or cash.