Father Nikola Nicholas Ceko

Fr. Nicholas was appointed Dean of Saint Steven Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Alhambra, California in 1993.  Born in Chicago, Illinois, Father Nicholas earned his B.A. (1982) in Sociology at Iona College and his M.Div.(1985) at Saint Vladmir's Orthodox Theological Seminary where he studied under some of the most influential teachers in the Orthodox Tradition.  From 1984-1986 he worked in the administration of Saint Vladimir's Seminay in Bookstore Management.  In 1986, he married his wife Aleksandra and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood of the Orthodox Church.   In 1992 they were blessed with their first child Andreana and in 1992, their second, Maria in 1994.  From 1988-1993, Fr. Nicholas was pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church in South Bend, Indiana.  He was appointed Secretary (1988-1994) to the Episcopal Council and Chairman of the Standing Committees and Ministries (2003-2022) of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America.  From 2009 -2018, Fr. Nicholas served on the Secretariate of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America and as Liaison to the Committees for Liturgy, Clergy Matters, and Youth Work.  Fr. Nicholas was elevated to the rank of Protopresbyter in 2000 and Protopresbyter Cross-Bearer in 2007 and awarded the Order of Saint Sebastian in 2015.  Continuing his pastoral ministry at Saint Steven Cathedral (1993-present), and Episcopal Deputy and Chancelor of the Western American Diocese (2016-present), Fr. Nicholas with his wife Protinica Sandra, now enjoy their "children's children around their table" with their granddaughters Katarina born in 2021 and Nadia born in 2024.

Phone: 626-284-9100

Email: frnicholas@saintstevens.org