Niphon of the Kiev Caves, bishop of Novgorod, holy hierarch, venerable (Near Caves)

Dates of commemoration

Mar 12

(Church calendar - Feb 27) Synaxis of all Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves (movable feast on the 2nd Sunday of the Great Lent)

Apr 21

(Church calendar - Apr 8) Day of repose

Jun 25

(Church calendar - Jun 12) Synaxis of Saints of Pskov (movable feast on the 3rd Sunday of Pentecost)

Jun 25

(Church calendar - Jun 12) Synaxis of Novgorod Hierarchs (movable feast on the 3rd Sunday of Pentecost)

Jul 28

(Church calendar - Jul 15) Synaxis of All Saints of Kiev

Oct 11

(Church calendar - Sep 28) Synaxis of the Saints of the Kievan Caves Monastery, venerated in the near caves of Venerable Anthony

Oct 23

(Church calendar - Oct 10) Synaxis of Saints of Volhynia

Life

Saint Niphon was a monk of the Kiev Caves Monastry, where he struggled in asceticism. In imitation of the Holy Fathers, he uprooted the passions through fasting, vigil, and prayer, and adorned himself with every virtue. He was chosen as Bishop of Novgorod when Bishop John retired to a monastery after twenty-five years of episcopal service. Saint Niphon was consecrated bishop in Kiev by Metropolitan Michael and other hierarchs.

Saint Niphon embraced his archpastoral duties with great zeal, strengthening his flock in the Orthodox Faith, and striving to prevent them from becoming separated from the Church, which is the same as being separated from Christ Himself.

The saint was also zealous in building and repairing churches. He built a new stone church in the center of Novgorod, dedicating it to the Most Holy Theotokos. He repaired the roof of the church of Holy Wisdom (Christ, the Wisdom of God), and adorned the interior with icons.

When war broke out between Novgorod and Kiev, Saint Niphon showed himself to be a peacemaker. Meeting with the leaders of both sides, he was able to pacify them and avert the war. In the same way, he always tried to settle arguments and to reconcile those who were at enmity.

 

He instructed his flock in the law of God, preaching to them, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting them patiently and with sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2) so that they might obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory (2 Timothy 2:10).

When the people of Novgorod drove away their prince, Vsevolod, they invited Prince Svyatslav to govern them. The new prince wanted to enter into a marriage which was against the Church canons. Not only did Saint Niphon refuse to perform the ceremony, he also told his clergy to regard this betrothal as unlawful. Prince Svyatoslav brought priests in from elsewhere to perform the wedding, and the holy hierarch was not afraid to denounce his behavior.

After the death of Metropolitan Michael of Kiev, the Great Prince Isaiaslav wished to have the schemamonk Clement succeed him. However, he wanted to have Clement consecrated without the blessing of the Patriarch of Constantinople.

At a council of bishops, Saint Niphon declared that he would not approve the consecration without the permission of the Patriarch of Constantinople. He reminded the other bishops that this was contrary to the tradition of the Russian Church, for Russia had received the Orthodox Faith from Constantinople. Starting in 1448, however, the Russian Church began to elect its own primate without seeking confirmation from Constantinople.

The uncanonical consecration took place despite the objections of Saint Niphon. Metropolitan Clement tried to force the saint to serve the Divine Liturgy with him, but he refused. He called Clement a wolf rather than a shepherd, for he had unjustly assumed an office which he did not deserve. Saint Niphon refused to serve with Clement, or to commemorate him during the services.

In his fury, Clement would not permit Saint Niphon to return to Novgorod. Instead, he had the saint held under house arrest at the Kiev Caves Monastery. When Isaiaslav was defeated by Prince George, Saint Niphon returned to Novgorod, where the people welcomed him with great joy.

The Patriarch of Constantinople sent a letter praising Saint Niphon for his steadfast defense of church teachings. He also sent Metropolitan Constantine to Rus in order to depose Metropolitan Clement, and to assume the see of Kiev himself. Saint Niphon prepared to journey to Kiev to meet Metropolitan Clement.

Saint Niphon again took up residence in the Kiev Caves Monastery, where he became ill. Thirteen days before his death, he revealed to the brethren that he had had a wondrous dream. Saint Theodosius (May 3) appeared to him and announced his imminet departure from this world.

Saint Niphon reposed in peace on April 8, 1156. Now he stands before the throne of God, interceding for us before the All-Holy Trinity, to Whom be all glory, honor, and worship forever.

Source:

https://oca.org/saints/lives/2017/04/08/101030-st-niphon-the-bishop-of-novgorod

Holy relic type

unless specified otherwise below, "holy relic" means a fragment of a bone of the saint

1. Holy relic
2. Holy relic

Location of the holy relic in the Cathedral:

1. North kliros, reliquary #5
2. Relics cabinet in the Altar sacristy, reliquary #9

Icon

Troparion

Тропарь святителя Нифонта, епископа Новгородского
глас 3
Яко сый нравом православных/ Восточныя Церкве преданий истинный защитник,/ сподобился еси великаго во отцех Феодосия/ видети по смерти яко жива,/ возвещающа тебе Царствия Небеснаго наследие,/ егоже неизреченных доброт/ ныне с ним неразлучно наслаждаяся,/ моли и о нас, чадех своих, Нифонте прехвальне.

Ин тропарь святителя Нифонта, епископа Нивгородского
глас 4
От мирскаго мятежа из младых ногтей/ исшед в тихое пристанище,/ честный обители Печерския достигл еси/ и, тамо ярем Христов восприим на ся,/ равно Ангелом житие поживе,/ отнюду же пришед, святителю Христов Нифонте, в великий Новград,/ и архиерейский престол восприял еси/ и многи люди учением своим ко Христу привел еси,/ Егоже моли, святителю преподобне, спастися душам нашим.

Kontakion

Кондак святителя Нифонта, епископа Новгородского
глас 5
Ревности древних отец/ в твердом истинных догмат хранении подобней,/ крепкоумне Нифонте,/ не восхотел еси восхитившему самовольне престол Митрополии Климу сослужитель быти,/ избранному же на се от всех, покорен,/ священнолепне с ним служил еси/ и, жизнь свою скончав,/ обрел еси безконечное Царство Христово.

Ин кондак святителя Нифонта, епископа Новгородского
глас 8
Возложив себе от юности Богу, преподобне,/ мир тленных нивочтоже вменив/ и паче всех Христа возлюбив,/ Тому от всея души любовию последовал еси/ и, яко светозарное солнце,/ от Киева просил во вся концы Русский земли добродетелию,/ и бысть пастырь великому Новуграду,/ и, добре упас стадо Христово словесных овец на пажитех духовных,/ к Богу отшел еси,/ и ныне со Ангелы Владычню Престолу предстоя,/ нас поминай, раб своих, да зовем ти:/ радуйся, отче Нифонте,/ святителем изрядная похвало.

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