Cloud of Witnesses
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Hierarch12th century

Saint Niphon Bishop of Novgorod

died 1156

A monk of the Kiev Caves Monastery known for ascetic struggle, he was consecrated Bishop of Novgorod and defended the unity and order of the Church in 12th-century Rus'.

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Commemorated as

Our Father among the Saints Niphon, Bishop of Novgorod

Life

Niphon was a twelfth-century hierarch of Rus' who began his monastic life at the Kiev Caves Monastery and, after years of ascetic struggle there, was consecrated Bishop of Novgorod. He is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on April 8, and his relics are numbered among the venerable fathers of the Kiev Near Caves.

His episcopate is remembered chiefly for two strands: practical care for the Church of Novgorod—building and repairing its principal churches and working to keep his flock united—and a public stand on canonical order during the disputed consecration of Metropolitan Clement (Smolyatich) of Kiev. Niphon held that the metropolitans of Rus' could not be installed without the sanction of the Patriarch of Constantinople, and his resistance led to his being confined at the Kiev Caves Monastery, where he later reposed.

Accounts of his life are drawn from the synaxarion tradition and from Russian church history; the sources agree on the main events of his career while differing on some details of his origin. He died at the Kiev Caves Monastery on April 8, 1156.

Troparion1 hymnReadHide
TroparionTone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father Niphon,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline3 momentsReadHide
  1. 1130Consecrated Bishop of NovgorodNiphon, a monk of the Kiev Caves, was consecrated bishop in Kiev by Metropolitan Michael and other hierarchs.
  2. as bishopObjects to Clement's consecrationAfter the death of Metropolitan Michael, he and Manuel of Smolensk opposed the installation of Metropolitan Clement (Smolyatich) without the sanction of the Patriarch of Constantinople.
  3. 1156Repose at the Kiev CavesNiphon died in peace at the Kiev Caves Monastery on April 8, 1156.

Contributions & Legacy

4 contributionsReadHide

Monastic Beginnings and Consecration

Niphon entered the Kiev Caves Monastery, where, according to the synaxarion, he struggled in asceticism through fasting, vigil, and prayer. He was chosen as Bishop of Novgorod to succeed Bishop John, who had retired to a monastery after twenty-five years of episcopal service.

He was consecrated bishop in Kiev by Metropolitan Michael and other hierarchs; Russian historical sources place the consecration in 1130. As bishop he sought to strengthen his flock in the Orthodox faith and to keep them from becoming separated from the Church.

Pastor and Peacemaker in Novgorod

Niphon was active in the building and maintenance of Novgorod's churches. He raised a new stone church in the center of the city, dedicating it to the Most Holy Theotokos, and repaired the roof of the church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia), adorning its interior with icons.

When war broke out between Novgorod and Kiev, Niphon acted as a peacemaker. By meeting with the leaders of both sides, he was able to pacify them and avert the conflict.

The Dispute over Metropolitan Clement

After the death of Metropolitan Michael, Grand Prince Izyaslav II Mstislavich of Kiev sought to have Clement (Smolyatich) installed as Metropolitan of Kiev without the approval of the Patriarch of Constantinople. Niphon, together with Manuel, Bishop of Smolensk, objected, holding that the metropolitans of Rus' could be consecrated only with the sanction of the Patriarch of Constantinople, from whom the Russian Church had received the Orthodox faith.

Clement's consecration proceeded despite the objection. Niphon refused thereafter to serve with Clement or to commemorate him during the services, and Clement in turn had him held under house arrest at the Kiev Caves Monastery. According to the tradition, the Patriarch of Constantinople praised Niphon by letter for his defense of the Church's order; Niphon returned to Novgorod after the defeat of Izyaslav.

Repose

Niphon again took up residence at the Kiev Caves Monastery, where he fell ill. Thirteen days before his death, the synaxarion relates, he told the brethren of a dream in which Saint Theodosius of the Caves appeared to him and announced his imminent departure from this life.

Niphon reposed in peace at the Kiev Caves Monastery on April 8, 1156. His relics are venerated among the fathers of the Kiev Near Caves.

Member ofReadHide
Synaxis of the Hierarchs of Novgorod
Commemorated together · Feb 10; Oct 4
Companions3 figuresShowHide
Father of cenobitic monasticism in Rus' who, by tradition, appeared to Niphon in a dream announcing his approaching death.
Theodosiusof the Kyiv Caves
The prince who built and endowed churches at Novgorod during his episcopate.
Saint Vsevolod-GabrielWonderworker of Pskov
Whom he appointed igumen and buried at his monastery in 1147.
Venerable Anthonythe Roman of Novgorod
Related Saints2 saintsShowHide

Saints connected to his life, mission, and place in Orthodox tradition.

The synaxis of the Novgorod hierarchs, in which he is numbered.
Synaxisof the Hierarchs of Novgorod
A later archbishop of Novgorod to whom, by tradition, he appeared in a dream, holding him to his promise to venerate the Kievan wonderworkers.
Saint Theophilusof Novgorod

Browse similar saints by calling and place.

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints