Varnava Nastić

Varnava the New Confessor (. 31 January 1914 – 12 November 1964) was the titular bishop of Hvosno and a saint of the Serbian Orthodox Church. His feast is October 30 on the Julian calendar. He is one of the American Saints along with Alexis Toth, Alexander Hotovitzky, Herman of Alaska, and Peter the Aleut.

Life

Early life and education He was born Vojislav Nastić in Gary, Indiana, on 31 January 1914 , into a family of Serbian immigrants. His parents were Atanasije and Zorka (née Laković) Nastić . Nastić was baptized there and later served as an altar boy at St. Sava

In 1923, when Nastić was still a child, the family returned to their homeland, Yugoslavia. He attended high school in Sarajevo, graduating in 1933. He continued his education at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Orthodox Theology, graduating in 1937 bishop Nektarije, and bishop Vikentije of Zletovo and Strumica.

Treason charges and death Bishop Varnava preached numerous sermons denouncing Communism, which attracted the attention of the Yugoslavian government and led to his arrest on December 25, 1947