Censorship
Cases of Alteration in the Standard Translation
The standard English translation of the Prologue from Ochrid in circulation today contains instances where the original text written by St. Nikolai Velimirović has been altered or removed. This page documents these cases of censorship to demonstrate why a faithful translation is necessary.
We present these cases not to criticize, but to preserve the integrity of St. Nikolai's original work. Readers deserve to know what the saint actually wrote, even when his words may seem uncomfortable to modern sensibilities.
1. How the Japhethites (the white race) spread over the whole world;
"(the white race)" — бела раса — removed
The original Serbian text uses "Јафетити (бела раса)" meaning "Japhethites (the white race)". This is a biblical reference to Genesis 9-10, where Noah's three sons become the ancestors of different peoples. The common translation removes the parenthetical.
3. How the Hamitic tribes have remained to this day in a subjugated position.
Entire point removed
The original Serbian text includes a third point about the Hamitic tribes. This references Genesis 9:25-27, Noah's prophecy concerning his sons. The common translation omits this third point entirely.
Maria was a girl of manly courage.
"manly" — мушке — changed to "indomitable"
The original Serbian text uses explictly gendered language in describing Maria's courage, calling it "мушке храбрости" (manly courage). This reflects the patristic teaching of saints such as St. John Chrysostom, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and St. Clement of Alexandria. St. Clement wrote that at the eschaton, "woman is translated into man, having become equally unwomanish and masculine and perfect." Patristic sources consistently present a typological framework where ἀνήρ (man) represents the ideal of the mature, rational, virtuous human being who rules the passions, and γυνή (woman) represents the passion-driven aspect of the soul that needs to be governed by the intellect. The common translation replaces "manly" with a gender-neutral term, which obscures the original theological meaning.
Additional cases of censorship will be documented as this translation work progresses.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, by the prayers of St. Nikolai Velimirović and all the saints, have mercy on us.