A priest who jumped from a burning building realised how blessed he was when six Victoria Police officers linked arms and caught him.

Father Nikodim Solunchev from the St Nikola Macedonian Orthodox Church in Preston had been asleep on the first floor of the church's residence when he awoke to the smell of smoke about 12.30am on January 30.

Father Nikodim Solunchev jumped 3.5 metres from the first-floor window. Credit:Jesse Marlow

He really did thank God that the officers, who were patrolling nearby, saw the flames, scaled a two-metre wrought-iron fence and broke down a door, only to retreat from the fire.

The officers told him to jump from the window and conquering his fear, Father Solunchev made the 3.5 metre leap of faith and landed head down in their linked arms.