DEACON NENAD STOJKOVIC ORDAINED TO THE PRESBYTERATE

March 29, 2026

PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic—The weekend of March 28-29 was a momentous time in the life of then Subdeacon Nenad Stojkovic as he received his diaconal and presbyteral ordinations between the two days.
It started on the morning of Saturday, March 28, as he made his way from his home in Bavaro, DR to Jarabacoa, the home of his spiritual father and mentor, Father Ambrosio Bozzo. The duo were met there by His Eminence, Archbishop Nicholas, who had driven up from Puerto Plata. Together they entered St. Alexis Church and began preparations for the ordination.
Father Ambrosio, rector of the church, welcomed the Archbishop to the church and provided assistance with all the details. He had recently undergone surgery and was overjoyed to be able to participate in the service of his long-time friend and spiritual child.
The ordination to the diaconate took place following the consecration, at which time Archbishop Nicholas laid hands upon the newly-ordained deacon and presented him with the insignia of his office as he exclaimed after each, AXIOS! HE IS WORTHY!
Following a dinner hosted by Father Ambrosio and his family, the visitors made their way to Puerto Plata to get some rest and prepare for the presbyteral ordination the next day.
The sun greeted everyone as they arrived at St. Nicholas Church in Puerto Plata for the ordination. After preparations, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy began and, at the appointed time, Deacon Nenad was led to the altar where , in a few moments, he would become the Priest Nenad. As he knelt at the altar, Archbishop Nicholas placed his omophorion and hand upon his head as he prayed that Divine Grace descend upon him and elevate him to the rank of presbyter. As he rose from the altar he was presented the insignia of his new office, the priestly vestments, pectoral cross, and liturgicon. He then took his place at the altar where, for the first time, he was able to participate in the most sacred duty of the priest, the consecration of the Holy Gifts.
Father Nenad greeted everyone who had come to witness this moment of grace and thanked them for their continued love and support. Father Nenad Stojkovic was born in Serbia on September 24, 1970, son of Tomislav and Spomenka (Petrovic) Stojkovic. A great love for the church was instilled in him at an early age and he eventually lived at a monastery in Serbia for a while and was tonsured and made a Subdeacon. Eventually, life brought him to the Dominican Republic, where there is a large Serbian population. It is there that he encountered Father Ambrosio Bozzo and became a member of St. Nicholas Church in Puerto Plata. For two decades he has served the church as cantor and in any capacity to which he was asked. His ordination brings about the fulfillment of a dream of his to serve the church completely.
Father Nenad has been assigned as Assistant Priest at St. Nicholas Church in Puerto Plata, and has also been entrusted with the responsibility of establishing a new mission, under the patronage of St. Sava, in Bavaro, where he resides. AXIOS! To the newly-ordained servant of God.