Bishop
Saint Niphont was a monk of the Holy Pechersk Monastery, where he excelled in prayer and virtues. After the departure of Bishop John, he was elected to the episcopal throne of Novgorod and was ordained in Kiev by Metropolitan Michael.
On the episcopal throne, Saint Niphont took care of the well-being of the Church, laying the foundation for a stone church in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos and adorning the Church of Saint Sophia. He sought to reconcile people in conflicts and cared for the peaceful life of his flock.
The saint also zealously cared for the eternal life of his children, admonishing sinners and warning them of perdition. When Prince Svyatoslav Olgovich married against church canons, Niphont refused to bless the marriage and admonished him for it.
After the death of Metropolitan Michael, Prince Iziaslav Mstislavich attempted to elect Clement the Philosopher to the metropolitan throne without the blessing of the Patriarch. Niphont, opposing this, asserted that the election of a metropolitan should occur only with the blessing of the Patriarch of Constantinople. His opinion was supported by five other bishops, but the prince did not heed them.
Clement, displeased with Niphont, exiled him to the Pechersk Monastery, where the saint joyfully continued his life. After the victory of George Monomakh over Iziaslav, Niphont was restored to the episcopal throne, and the Patriarch sent him a message praising his courage.
Finally, upon learning of the arrival of Metropolitan Constantine from Constantinople, Niphont went to Kiev but soon fell ill. Before his death, he had a vision of Saint Theodosius, who told him that he would be with them. Saint Niphont passed away on April 20, on the Saturday of Bright Week, and was buried in the cave of Saint Theodosius.
