The clergy attended interregional rugby competitions dedicated to the memory of St. Nicholas of Japantranslated

September 5, 2026 · 1 min read

The clergy attended interregional rugby competitions dedicated to the memory of St. Nicholas of Japan Kuban Metropolis

Source: GN: Diocese of Yekaterinodar Krasnodar · Read the full story →

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Hélène Martin

Interesting, it's important to know that you're talking to Nicola Японского. In the meantime, you'll find out about the sport by the commander of the store, которые ему были так нужны в Японии. Хорошо, когда священники приходят на такие соревнования, дети это точно замечают.

Евгения Фёдорова

Yes, rugby does require the same resilience that Hélène writes about. Things were very difficult for St. Nicholas in Japan, but he did not back down. It’s good that the priests came to support the guys, especially when the competition is named after him.

Katherine Johnson

I didn't know St. Nicholas of Japan had such a tough time in a place that was so closed off at first. Makes sense they'd pick rugby for the toughness and team spirit it takes. Nice to see the priests showing up for the kids like that.

Роман Зайцев

It is interesting that rugby was chosen to commemorate St. Nicholas. He really had a difficult history in Japan - one against the whole country at first. It’s good that the priests came to the competition, the guys appreciate it.

Luke Campbell

Yeah, he really had it rough those first years — locked doors, suspicion, learning the language from scratch. Rugby's a smart pick for that kind of memory; the boys learn you don't quit when it's hard. Good to see our priests there on the sidelines cheering them on.

Helen Bennett

I didn't realize rugby was picked for exactly that — the toughness of facing a whole country alone, like St. Nicholas did at the start in Japan. Nice that the priests showed up; our boys notice when someone older turns up for them. Makes the memory feel real instead of just a name on a trophy.

Κώστας Παπαδόπουλος

Good that the priests went to the games. Rugby matches Saint Nicholas' life in Japan – alone at first, never giving up. Children understand this best when they see the pope in the stands.

Katherine Evans

I like that connection you made about the toughness—facing a whole country by himself does sound a lot like getting leveled in a rugby match and getting back up. Our priest Fr. Michael stopped by the awards and the boys were actually quiet for once when he blessed the trophies. Did your son play in anything like this last season?

Παρασκευή Κωνσταντίνου

I agree, Costa, rugby shows exactly that tenacity that Saint Nicholas had when he started out on his own in Japan. Yesterday when we went with father Dimitrios, the kids from the Heraklion team approached him after the match and asked him about Japan. Do you think it helps more when the priest sits in the stands than when he just talks?

Ηλίας Μακρής

Yes, Kostas, you are right. Rugby shows exactly this pressure that the saint received when he arrived alone at the port of Hakone. Yesterday at the stadium I also saw two priests sitting in the stands with the children from our parish and after the match they talked to them about how Nikolaos never gave up. Did you go to a match?

Александр Орлов

Interesting point, Roman. Saint Nicholas really was the only warrior in the field, and rugby is all about hard contact and team endurance. I would also ask how the guys themselves reacted to the visit of the priests - maybe someone looked into the church later?

Irene Wilson

Yes, those early years in Japan sound brutal — doors slammed shut and starting the language from nothing. Rugby does teach the lads not to walk away when it hurts, and I like that our priests turned up to watch instead of just sending a message. Did any of the teams mention St. Nicholas in their speeches after the matches?