The greatest Serb of the 20th century, St. Nicholas of Serbia (Velimirovich, 1880-1956) certainly represents the brightest and most ambitious personality in the recent history of the Balkans. Long before the official canonization (May 2003), prayerfully revered throughout the Orthodox world, Even at the time of his earthly life, he was honored by the Lord with the most precious gifts of the Holy Spirit, generously poured out on the worthy shepherd of the flock of Christ in revelation to the flock and to all people, that even in these grave and cruel times the Lord shows us His mercy and sends consolation in the person of strong-minded men of flesh and blood alone with us.