EASTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 9 November 2022
Protodeacon Nicholas Trepatschko reposes in the Lord

After a brief illness, Proto Deacon Nicholas has reposed in the Lord. He was a cleric at the Holy Assumption Church in Stafford, VA and served with his brother Priest John Trepatschko. He was blessed with a wonderful voice and musical talent. He was the son of Father Anatoly and Matushka Irene Trepatschko and nephew of Hieromonk Ignaty (former choir director for many years at the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville).

Under the guidance of his father and uncle he developed his musical talent. At the age of 4, he was already singing “We magnify Thee” with his father during the All-Night Vigil. After the repose of his uncle Hieromonk Ignaty in 1991, Proto- Deacon published a book, “Samopodobny, The Lost Pearls of the Orthodox Church”. He fulfilled the wish of his uncle, who always wanted to compile these melodies for use by choir directors in the diaspora.

On Friday, November 4, 2022, Father John Trepatschko officiated the burial service co-served by Mitred Protopriest Father Victor Potapov and Deacon Joseph Sirko. Later in the day, the newly departed servant of Christ, was transported to the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville where he was laid to rest early Saturday afternoon.

Proto Deacon so loved singing that even as he was coming in and out of consciousness in the hospital during his last moments, he was heard singing in his deep voice: “Do not cry for me Mother” (Не рыдай мене мати……9th Irmos of the Canon sung during the Burial Service on Great Saturday) and “God Save your people” (Спаси Господи люди Твоя……..). The attending nurses even heard him singing late at night and asked: was he an opera singer? We explained to them later that he was a Deacon in the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.

Memory Eternal and Eternal Peace to you my brother,
Father John Trepatschko