The venerable brothers Nikita, Cyril, Nikiphor, Clement, and Isaac Alfanov (Sokolitsky) lived in the 14th century in Novgorod, where they founded the Sokolitskaya monastery. In 1389, a wooden church dedicated to Saint Nicholas was built on Sokolina Hill, and a monastery was established. The brothers were related to Yakov Anfal, who fled to the Dvina to escape persecution. Due to their kinship with Yakov, the righteous endured hardships, but after being purified from suffering, they attained blessed eternity. The 'Tale' about the holy brothers describes the miracles that occurred from their relics after their death. Their memory is celebrated on May 4/17 and on the Third Sunday after Pentecost in the Synaxis of Novgorod Saints. After a fire that destroyed the Sokolitskaya monastery, the relics of the venerable brothers were transferred to the Antoniev monastery on May 4, 1775.
