The life of saint Niphon

PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE, WONDER WORKER OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN


Commemorated August 11

Troparion, Tone 3:

By works of godliness hast thou shone forth;
Thou hast illuminated the whole Church,
Being exalted in the ways of humility;
For having been glorified in Athos with ascetic deeds,
Thou hast received the name Adornment of Patriarchs.
O glorious Niphon, fill with divine graces those who with faith
and longing magnify thee.


By ST. NICODEMOS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN Who edited and enlarged the original of Hieromonk Gabriel, Protos (chief monk) of the Holy Mountain during the lifetime of the Saint

NIPHON, OUR DIVINE FATHER, was born in the Peloponnesos of parents who were noble and illustrious as measured by the world, but even more illustrious and noble as measured by godliness and virtue. Their names were Manuel and Maria. In baptism he was given the name Nicholas.

When he became old enough, he was sent to a school to learn the sacred letters. From the beginning he had the mind of a mature person, and did not occupy himself with childish activities as did the other children. But like a wise bee he went to wise and virtuous teachers in order to gather the honey of virtue, becoming a hearer and imitator of every good and soul-benefiting lesson and example. So alert was his mind, that in a little while he passed all his fellow students in studies. He would oftentimes read the lives of the holy Fathers and his soul would rejoice. As much as was possible he sought to imitate them in virtue as a wondrous keeper of prudence, giving himself over so eagerly to continence that he would supply the need of his body with bread and water alone. He would struggle similarly in every other virtue.

In those days, there passed by the school a priestmonk, Joseph by name, a profound teacher and very virtuous. Having been in his company and spoken with him sufficiently, the good Nicholas begged him to accept him as a companion without anyone's knowing of it, for he feared that they might hinder him. Joseph received him with joy and, leaving together secretly, he taught him philosophy.1 Traveling to Epidavros, they heard that in those places there struggled an ascetic named Anthony who was very virtuous and in all things an imitator of Anthony the Great.

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1. In the writings of the Fathers, philosophy is the term used for the monastic way of life.


When they had spoken with him and heard his divine words, they rejoiced in soul. Then Joseph, receiving the final blessing of the elder, departed. But Nicholas, falling at his feet, implored him with tears to be allowed to remain with him. Anthony reminded him of the labors of asceticism, and especially of his youthfulness, and sought to hinder him. But Nicholas. burning with divine love, insisted all the more. "Whatever you command me, Father, I will obey with joy; only do not deprive me of your company."

When the elder saw the great eagerness of the youth, he received him and gave him a cell and a rule that he might struggle. The good Nicholas gave himself over entirely to the labors of asceticism, imitating the elder in all things. After a little he asked him to clothe him in the monastic garment. The divine Anthony said unto him, "Because, my child, you desire to receive the habit of the monks, know that you must give yourself over to greater struggles and labors of asceticism, lest the enemy find you sleeping and tear you asunder like the treacherous and malicious one he is toward us monks. Wherefore we must struggle, in order to enjoy eternal life, by means of the narrow and arduous way." Having spoken these and many other things unto him, the elder clothed him with the monastic garment, renaming him Niphon.

FROM THAT TIME ON, the blessed Niphon struggled even more in the labors of the monastic life. Whenever there came to him a thought of wealth or the remembrance of parents, of which the enemy did not neglect to remind him in order to deceive him, he would immediately run to the elder and fall at his feet with tears and confess it. Then, being strengthened and comforted by him, he would receive his blessing and return to his cell. His handicraft was calligraphy, and by this he was able to earn his subsistence, as he was an excellent calligrapher. The blessed Niphon observed the following: he never spoke an idle word, he did not laugh in the skete, never did he read an ecclesiastical book without shedding tears, nor yet did he ever speak a single word without the blessing of his elder. Therefore, he became perfect in all aspects of monastic life.

Not much time had passed when Anthony of blessed memory reposed in the Lord. Niphon wept unconsolably over the loss of his spiritual father. When he had buried him and passed much time in silence, he heard that in the city of Narda there had come from the Holy Mountain a few days before a most wise teacher, great in virtue, named Zachary. Desiring to enjoy the fruits of his wisdom and learn the rule of life on the Holy Mountain, he went to him and begged him to allow him to remain in his company. Zachary received him and gave him the desired instruction. However, because at that time there was great turmoil in the Churches on account of the false synod at Florence, the wise Zachary and the holy Niphon travelled to Askalona, and even to Illyricum and Dalmatia, teaching the Christians in the churches to remain steadfast in Orthodoxy, condemning the heresies of the Latins and the things which had been decided at the false synod in Florence. From there they went to the city of Krogia, whose ruler, George Skenderbey, received them with all honor and reverence, because even before this he had heard their fame, and with great joy he cared for them and kept them with him in his palace, even making the most wise Zachary his spiritual father.

At that time the Emperor John Paleologos died in Constantinople, and in his place reigned his brother Constantine, who called a synod and declared the synod in Florence invalid. After a little time, by judgements which only the Holy God knows, the Turks subdued Constantinople in the year 1453 after Christ. Everywhere there was great consternation because of the bloodshed in the cities, and even these blessed ones hid for a time on a mountain until the confusion ceased. Later they came to the state of Ochrid and remained there in the monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos. In those days the Archbishop of Ochrid, Nicholas, reposed in the Lord. The bishops, clergy, and all the multitude begged the holy Zachary to accept the office of Archbishop; but he said that he was not worthy to take upon himself such a great burden of souls, since he could barely, and only by forcing himself, save his own soul. But they did not cease from entreating him until he accepted the election.

When the holy Zachary had been Archbishop for some days, the blessed Niphon besought him to grant him a blessing to go to the Holy Mountain to dwell in sacred quiet. But the Archbishop said to him, "I greatly need to have you with me, my son, that I might be comforted and my burden be lightened – and now you seek to leave me? In time of need, friends and children are wanted to help the fathers that are in danger. Deprive me not, my son Niphon, of your most gladdening countenance." While the Archbishop said these things, weeping, tears ran in torrents from the divine Niphon, so much so that he could not answer. Both remained that night keeping vigil. Towards dawn the Archbishop fell into a light sleep and saw in his vision a holy angel who told him to let Niphon go wherever he wished, for he was a chosen vessel of the Holy God. In the morning, the Archbishop prayed and dismissed the divine Niphon, saying, "Go, my son, wherever the Lord guides you. And I, the unworthy one, entreat that He may deem me worthy to see you again in this present life, whenever His Divine Providence so wills."

THEN THE BLESSED NIPHON, taking the blessing of the Archbishop as his companion, hastened to the Holy Mountain like a winged eagle and came to the venerable Monastery of Vatopedi, where he venerated the Holy Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos. He found there many virtuous men of whom he became an eager student. Also, he visited the Sacred Monastery of Pantocrator. Later, going to Karyes, he met the Protos of the Mountain, Daniel, a man both virtuous and discerning. When Daniel saw him, he rejoiced and, greeting him with a holy kiss, said to him, "O most wise Niphon, I have heard from many concerning you, and I besought God to deem me worthy to see you before my death. And behold, He has hearkened unto my supplication! Now, therefore, we beseech you to teach the brethren assembled here eagerly on your account." But the humble Niphon said, "I am not worthy to give medicines to healthy and experienced doctors, but am myself in need of healing from them." Then the divine Daniel said to him, "It is not proper to keep the divine words only for yourself, father, but to transmit them also to others for their benefit." Whereupon the Saint bowed his head, and making the usual prostration began to speak his all-wise words. All marvelled at the wisdom of his words, for he was so sweet in speech that no one could separate himself from him, even forgetting bodily food. Going about the skete of Karyes, he found many virtuous men, and his soul rejoiced. Later he went to the cave which is called Crete, where dwelt wondrous ascetics who lived in great hardship. Admiring their extreme patience, he remained with them teaching and being taught, living by his calligraphy.

After this he was invited by the Elders of the Great Lavra of St. Athanasios to go there also, that they might be benefited by his honeyflowing words. Having taught them for a sufficient time, he heard of the Monastery of the Venerable Forerunner (Dionysiou), that there were many virtuous fathers there who kept all the rules of the monastic life in coenobium with all things in common, according to the precept of St. Basil the Great, and living a life equal to the angels. Desiring to meet those fathers also, he left the Lavra and went there. When he saw the inaccessibility and severity of the place, so much did the blessed one rejoice that it seemed to him as if he saw the divine Forerunner living in caves and dens and eating grass and wild honey. All that night he remained awake, imploring the venerable Forerunner to deem him worthy to remain there. He made a prostration then to the Abbot and was immediately clothed in the divine and angelic habit. When he was besought by the brothers to receive the priesthood, he said that he was not worthy. Afterwards, being again greatly entreated, he hearkened and was ordained reader, subdeacon, deacon, and priest.

From then on the Saint struggled even more in spiritual endeavors, in vigils, in fasts, in prayers, and in unfeigned love toward all. The thriceglorious one was a great luminary shining not only upon the Monastery of Dionysiou, but also upon all the Holy Mountain, as one virtuous elder, Petronios, testified. For when he had remained one night with the divine Niphon outside the Monastery, in the middle of the night he stood up to pray, and he saw the Saint standing erect, having his hands lifted up and his eyes toward heaven, wholly filled with a light which ascended to heaven and shone everywhere so much that Petronios fell to the earth like one dead. The Saint lifted up the ecstatic Petronios, who, when he came to himself, fell at his feet. The blessed Niphon sought to hide the divine vision from him, but Petronios secretly told the Abbot of it. The Abbot answered him, "This, Father Petronios, reveals the extreme purity of the man, and that through him many will be enlightened. Speak of this to no one else, lest he hear of it and depart from us, seeking to escape praise, and we be thus deprived of such a man whom the Holy Mountain has granted to us as a refuge and support in our day."

At that time two rulers of Thessalonica came on a pilgrimage to the sacred monasteries of the Holy Mountain. They were present at the Monastery of Dionysiou on the day when the Saint liturgized in the Catholikon (main church), and they marvelled at his honey-flowing teachings. When they returned to their country they made everything concerning the divine Niphon known to the Thessalonians.

IN THOSE DAYS the Metropolitan of Thessalonica, Parthenios, reposed. When the bishops and clergy of the Thessalonians assembled, all with one voice decided to elect as their shepherd the all-wise Niphon. Whereupon two bishops and other clergy were sent to the revered Monastery of Dionysiou. They spoke privately with the Elders and besought them to urge the Saint to accept the election. But they sighed heavily and said, "Who is he, O holy Archbishops, that gives his teacher to others? We are hungry, and how can we give away our food and drink? Has the renowned city of Thessalonica reached such a pass that she has no one worthy to become her shepherd, and you must come to us humble ones to deprive us of the light of our eyes? You can see in what precipitous and inaccessible places we abide, deprived even of the necessities of the body. The Lord sent us this comforter in our afflictions, and now shall we, the unfortunate ones, be deprived of him? This seems to us too difficult. In truth, a great danger threatens us if we lose such a luminary. The whole brotherhood most certainly will experience immeasurable grief." Having said these things, they departed.

Seeing that they had accomplished nothing, the bishops and clergy besought the Holy God and the venerable Forerunner with fervent tears that they might not return unsuccessful. The Saint asked the Abbot about the men, but he received no answer because of the Abbot's extreme sorrow. But the Saint, being enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, understood and said to him, "Do not sorrow, Father, for I will be with you, and I shall pay the common debt (death) here, for so I besought the divine Forerunner when I came to the Monastery, and he heard my peticion." The Abbot said to him, "May it be unto you, beloved, as you have asked from the divine Forerunner. However, do you see them concerning whom you ask? They are bishops from Thessalonica, sent by all the clergy and people to take you as their shepherd. And so we will be orphaned from you--especially myself, for I shall see you no more." (He said this enlightened by God, for when the blessed Niphon came the second time to the Monastery the Abbot was dead and indeed saw him no more.) While he said these things he poured forth a river of tears.

Hearing these things, the humble-minded Niphon fell upon the earth in the temple and, wetting the ground with his tears, said, "Who am I, the lowly sinner, to submit my sorely wounded neck to such a heavy yoke?" When the brothers heard the Saint's lamentation, they all ran to the church to see what was the cause of his great grief. Then the Abbot, seeing that all the brotherhood had gathered in the temple, announced to them all things concerning the bishops and clergy. When the brothers heard this, they surrounded the Saint weeping and lamenting so much that the bishops and clergy heard the tumult. They came into the midst of the brethren and placed into the Saint's hands the letters of all the clergy of Thessalonica. Weeping, the Saint said, "I, holy Archbishops, being sorely wounded from my many sins, came here to be quiet and to end my life. How can I leave the way of repentance and take up the care of so many souls, when I am barely able to save my own soul?"

But the bishops said, "Father, do not show yourself contrary to the divine decision, since all with one opinion and voice want you as their shepherd." Then the Abbot, as though enlightened by the Holy Spirit, said, "Go, O precious Father, since thus is the will of God to increase the talent that many might be saved throught you. Always remember this sacred Monastery and the love of ourselves and the brethren, and help us with your frequent prayers and whatever other bodily assistance you are able to supply for our sustenance. We shall always have you in our remembrance as our fellow cenobite and son of our sacred Monastery. This night the Lord commanded me, the unworthy one, not to obstruct your way."

Having said these things, he kissed the blessed Niphon repeatedly, as did all the brothers. Finally he said, "My fathers and brothers, may the will of the Lord be done as you have determined. Yet, a great danger falls upon me the unworthy. Pray unto the Lord on my behalf." Thus the bishops took the Saint and departed, rejoicing. When they came to Thessalonica, such a multitude ran to see the Saint and receive his blessing that they were in great distress as to who would get to him first. When Sunday came they ordained him as their Archbishop and shepherd.

After some days, the Saint saw that the Christians were in a state of confusion because of the Latinizers and the innovations of the false synod of Florence, and so daily he taught the divine doctrines of the Apostles and the divine Synods, rejecting totally the innovations and sophistical arguments of the Latins, and exhorting them to keep their Orthodoxy unadulterated. He also comforted them because of the disturbances and trials of the new Moslem rulers, and incited them to endure the afflictions and torments of captivity without complaint for the sake of the hope of the promised good things, and to keep the Faith unwaveringly. He incited the merciless and uncompassionate rich men by his allwise teachings to have mercy and compassion for the poor. He himself was so compassionate a friend of the poor that many times he would go alone by night and take necessities to the sick and infirm. With the sweetness of his words he attracted each one to do the Divine will. He even converted many unbelievers to the Faith of Christ, and daily they turned from their deception. Therefore his fame was known everywhere and many ran to him. His fame reached even to the Great Church of Constantinople, and the Archbishops there desired to enjoy his presence.

AFTER THREE YEARS he was invited as a member of the Holy Synod of Constantinople to assemble with the Archbishops of Constantinople in order to settle certain imperative ecclesiastical matters. This took place by the dispensation of God, so that the light might be set on a higher place and enlighten all. The Saint, therefore, travelled to Constantinople, where he was received with every honor by the Patriarch and Archbishops and by all the clergy and the people because of his virtue and his wise governing of his flock. He also found there his teacher, Zachary, and greeting one another they rejoiced exceedingly. Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of the divine Zachary, who had said that they would meet again in this present life.

But after a few days the most holy Zachary departed unto the Lord, and the divine Niphon buried his sacred relics honorably and reverently. After a short time, in 1486, the Patriarch of Constantinople, Simeon, also reposed in the Lord, and without delay all the Archbishops and clergy raised the most wise Niphon by royal authority1 to the Ecumenical Throne as Niphon II, although he was unwilling. Being full of divine zeal in his holy soul, he preached the divine doctrines with a great voice, teaching daily as another Apostle, exhorting, admonishing in moderation, and seeking various ways to drive the wolves far away from the flock of Christ and to establish Orthodoxy. According to one historian of the time, "He taught from the ambon eruditely and wondrously." With his divine and all-wise words he won over even many unbelievers, who would receive divine Baptism from him secretly and, strengthened by his prayers, would deny both homeland and nation, going far away that they might not be endangered by the ungodly.

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1. The Turkish law required that the approval of the Sultan be obtained before anyone could be instated or deposed as the Ecumenical Patriarch, as the latter also possessed civil authority over all Christians (including heretics in the class of "Christians")--the so-called millet or "nation."


The Church of Christ therefore rejoiced in having such a luminary shining upon the whole world, so much so that in his time there was not to be found another like unto him. But that hater of good, the devil, could not bear to see such good, and he incited some clerics, scandalmakers, to exile the Saint and send him far from his flock. Forming a faction against the good shepherd, they set upon him with royal authority and expelled him from the Patriarchate in 1489. The divine Niphon, not knowing exactly why he had been expelled with such unreasonable anger, was amazed and saddened, not because he was expelled from the throne but because the Christians would be deprived of salvation. For he knew that all those things working against him were of the evil devil. Wherefore he entreated the Lord to forgive the sin of the scandal-makers and to grant them repentance. As for him, he travelled on his way rejoicing because he was freed from cares and was able to enjoy his desired quiet. He went to Sozopolis and lived in quiet in the Monastery of the venerable Forerunner, which he desired with all his soul, and lived a most wonderful life, so that his fame spread to all those places and the Christians came eagerly to see him and to hear his soul-benefiting teaching.

After spending two years in the monastery, he was again recalled to Constantinople and ascended the Ecumenical throne for the second time. Once again the light shone upon the lampstand and the whole world was enlightened with his frequent teaching. But again, not being able to bear the presence of the Saint, the devil devised against him yet another method to expel him again. One day, while returning to the Patriarchate from the church in which he had liturgized, he unexpectedly chanced to meet the Sultan on the way. Halting for a little, he greeted him as was proper. But the proud Sultan, desiring honor equal to God, reviled the Saint for not knowing how to honor kings as he ought. But he, the humble-minded one, said nothing, and departed saying to himself, "This also is a device of yours, wicked devil." When the Sultan arrived at the palace he ordered that the Saint be exiled to Adrianopolis, and that soldiers be assigned to guard him there. Those who accompanied him on the way did many evils to him, but God preserved him unharmed. There they allowed him to live in a church of St. Stephen under heavy guard. But the Saint thanked God that the church of the First Martyr had been given him as a comfort, and he rejoiced and glorified the Lord, to Whom he surrendered himself with all his soul, having trust in no human aid.

SINCE THE FAME of the Saint had spread even to Vlachia (Roumania), the Prince, Radoulos, desired to see him. When he had gone to the reigning city to pay the royal taxes, he passed through Adrianopolis; by using every means he received permission from the royal ministers to meet the Saint. When he came to the Saint, he bowed his head and venerated him with great reverence, kissing his holy right hand with immeasurable emotion. He then said, "Holy Master, I have desired fervently to be deemed worthy to behold your all-blessed countenance and to receive your blessing. May God be glorified Who has deemed me worthy to enjoy them. However, I am deeply grieved because of the trials you are undergoing." The Saint answered, "Most glorious Prince, we must enter the Kingdom of the Heavens through many afflictions, as the divine Paul writes. And he says elsewhere that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us [Rom. 8:18]. We must therefore endure the conditions of the present life with joy even as the divine Apostles did. When they were flogged by the Jews they rejoiced because they suffered dishonor for the name of the Lord, as the divine Luke records in the Acts of the Apostles. And the blessed Paul writes in his epistles, Now I rejoice in my sufferings [Col. 1:24]. The thrice-blessed ones rejoiced in afflictions, enduring them with thanksgiving, because they held that blessed hope. But we unfortunate ones are faint-hearted, and cannot endure."

Hearing these things, the ruler was pierced to the heart and said to him, "I implore your holy Lordship to come to Vlachia to teach us, for we are totally devoid of spiritual instruction and of a teacher and shepherd. There you shall find rest, and all will receive you with joy. Only give me your word, that I may intercede with the impious ones to receive permission." The Saint accepted this and Radoulos interceded and took him with him to Vlachia, where all received him as an apostle of the Lord. The ruler said to him, "From this day on, Father, we have you as our shepherd to guide us on the way of salvation. You shall have authority in ecclesisatical matters and whatever you command shall be done." The divine Niphon said to him, "I praise your good judgement and pray that you keep it till the end. Yet I beseech that you accept gladly, as spiritual exhortation, whatever I undertake to do for your correction, even if you yourself err. When the common people see the ruler accepting correction unto repentance, then they also are corrected easily. Again, on the other hand, when the ruler tramples upon the law and nullifies the sacred canons, then he becomes a cause of stumbling to all, because men easily turn toward evil." The prince said to the Saint, "Whatever you do, Father, for the profit of our soul, we shall accept with joy."

Then the all-wise Niphon ordered that there be a local synod, that all the priests of the churches, the abbots of the monasteries, and the nobles of the palace might be gathered together with the Prince. When all had assembled, the blessed one began to preach to them from the divine Words and to exhort them all to good ways, with proofs from the God-inspired Scriptures and the divine Fathers, and to urge them to cut off every evil habit. All accepted his honey-flowing teaching, and being convinced by his divine words they sought to correct all their ways and disciplines. The Saint also ordained two bishops and gave them dioceses, admonishing them to care for the flock of Christ because they would give an account for them to the Terrible Judge. Afterwards he turned to the ruler and said in the hearing of all, "And as for you, son Radoulos, who have the authority in your hands, you must admonish all your subjects and chastise the unruly. Be not a respector of persons, neither for the great nor for the small, but let your judgement be just, for judgement is of the Holy God, as the divine Scripture says."

Having taught these things with much humility, the Saint dismissed the synod, keeping the priests and monks who were from distant places for some time in order to correct them. All glorified God because He had sent them such a luminary to guide them to the way of truth, and they called him a new Chrysostom. The Saint liturgized every Sunday and feast day so that all might hasten to the church to hear his teaching, and he sought with all his means to separate them from the bad habit of drunkenness, for almost all were given over to this passion exceedingly. From this habit are born all the deadly sins, and especially unclean fornication and abominable homosexuality, into which many had been lured away. For this reason the all-wise one sought diligently to quench the flame of drunkenness. Through his unceasing teaching a great multitude turned to repentance. He also saved the Orthodox Faith from the plague of Papism, because at that time the Papal church, after the false synod in Florence, felt it to her advantage to sally forth under the mask of union, seeking to convince the Orthodox that Orthodoxy had also fallen along with Byzantium. Thus she ensnared them easily, pretending that she asked nothing from them in exchange for the protection she offered them except for the simple commemoration of the Pope. And if the blessed Patriarch had not arrested the cunning treachery of the Papal plague, the whole of Vlachia and Moldavia would have suffered the same corruption as their two sister regions of Transylvania and Galicia, where the Unia numbers its followers in the millions.

At this time also (1502) the Holy Synod of Constantinople reinstated him for the third time as Patriarch. But when representatives arrived from Constantinople to inform him of this, he told them that he neither accepted it nor wished even to hear about the Patriarchate.

But what did that hater of good, the devil, again conspire against the Saint in order to hinder his divine preaching? A certain important prince from Bogdania, being evil-mannered and evil-minded, left his fatherland in order to be relieved of the responsibility of ruling and thus abandoned his wife, children, and home. He came to Vlachia and formed a close friendship with Prince Radoulos, and desired to live there and to take another wife. The Prince, although he knew that Bogdanos had a wife, ignored the canons of the Fathers and unlawfully gave him his own sister. When his lawful wife heard this, she wrote a letter to the Saint, lamenting her plight and revealing that he was married and had children. The Saint then called for Bogdanos and spoke to him with meekness and humility, saying that he must abandon this iniquity and receive his lawful wife once more. But he, being ill-mannered and unrepentant, departed threatening the Saint greatly. He then went to the Prince and aroused him aganist the Saint, seeking to drive the latter out of Vlachia.

But the divine Niphon, not at all fearing the threats, went to the palace of the Prince and gave him the letter which Bognanos' lawful wife had sent. Afterwards, he opened the Divine Law and entreated him not to disdain the divine decision and canons of our Church. But Radoulos, casting off the mask of his former piety, became enraged, and with a wild manner said to the Saint, "You must not, Master, show such austerity toward us. But you must have meekness and reverence toward rulers. Even before this I have wanted to speak to you because, as soon as I brought you here, you trampled upon and nullified all our traditions and rules, and changed all things according to your own opinion. Therefore, from this day on we desire neither your teaching nor your traditions and rules, for we are men of the world and cannot follow your opinion."

Having heard these unexpected things and given a fitting reply, the Saint left the palace and went to the church, where he ordered the overseers to gather the people. Having taught them well, he put on his episcopal vestments and excommunicated the lawless Bogdanos and those who assisted him in his iniquity, forbidding him to enter the church with his adulteress, as they were transgressors of the law... Then, placing his vestments on the Holy Table and kissing the holy icons, he departed.

When Radoulos heard of these things, he put out a decree through all the country that they should henceforth not consider Niphon their archbishop. Furthermore, if it should be heard of anyone that he gave him bread or anything else, or received him into his house, he would be put to death and his possessions confiscated. Therefore the Saint "gave place to wrath" and went to a border of the country where there was a small dwelling, having all his hope in God Who, as being All-merciful, sent him those things that were necessary, even as of old He had sent food to the Prophet Elias by means of the raven, and also to Daniel by means of Avvakum. One young nobleman from the family of Vassaravi, named Neangos, a spiritual child of the Saint, grieved greatly at seeing him in such straits and, though fearing the anger of the Prince, secretly brought him all his necessities out of reverence.

As Radoulos pondered the curse of the Saint, he feared lest the wrath of God might come upon him suddenly (because though he was stubborn against the Saint, yet he well knew that the latter was in all things just and God-fearing). He found a way, therefore, and brought the Saint to the palace with honor, thinking that he could obtain forgiveness by flatteries. He then said to him, "Most divine, most wise Father, forgive us all the things in which we, as men, have been at fault against you, and your All-Holiness will also have forgiveness from us for those things which you said and did against us. We entreat you not to have any ill-will against us, and we will care for you with all the money and clothes that you need. We will send you with much honor wherever you desire to go, and we will send you even there all the necessities. As for the marriage of Bogdanos, let it not concern you, for he has received forgiveness from the synod of bishops which is in Constantinople. Therefore let your All-Holiness give also your forgiveness as is proper."

Then the divine Niphon sighed and said to him as though speaking to an ordinary man, "Radoulos, I do not want your money or your necessities, nor do I seek any honor from you – far be it! Do you remember how much you did in order to bring me to Vlachia that I might teach the Word of God? If, therefore, I have committed any transgression, testify to it. I have been appointed by my Lord to censure transgressors, and I shall not be a partaker in this transgression, nor does any law allow it. You brought me here by yourself, and again by yourself you persecute me, but I shall go wherever the Lord guides me. You, however, will die in iniquity with many afflictions and pains. Immeasurable evils will come upon your land, and then you will seek me, but will not find me."


The reliquary of St. Niphon, in which reposes the major part of the Saint's relics, now in the Sacred Monastery of Dionysiou on the Holy Mountain


When the Saint had said these things boldly, he left from thence. Finding his spiritual son, Neangos, he told him privately, "I see, my son, that great wrath is about to come upon this place, and both you and all your family will be endangered. But the all-merciful God will protect you from every evil if you keep the commandments which I gave you. Not only that, but you shall also rise to great honor and your name shall be magnified in all places. Keep me also in remembrance, your spiritual father, and I, if I find boldness before God Who loves mankind, shall beseech Him for you." Having thus spoken, he blessed him and kissed him, but Neangos wept grievously at being orphaned from such a father. Then the Saint took Macarios and Ioasaph, his disciples, and went to Macedonia, and from there to Petolia, teaching and strengthening the Christians. Later he came to the Holy Mountain to the Sacred Monastery of Vatopedi, and the fathers there received him with all respect and joy, glorifying God Who deemed them worthy to enjoy such a luminary and teacher. When the ascetics of the Mountain heard of his coming, they hastened daily to receive his blessing and hear his soul-benefiting teaching.

His disciple Macarios, who was zealous in imitating the virtues of the Saint in all things and struggled on the way of asceticism with many labors, ascended to the peak of divine love, and his heart was aflame with the desire to end his life with a martyr's death. Therefore he revealed his longing to the Saint, who, knowing that his intent was according to the Divine will, told him, "Go, my son, on the way of martyrdom, for according to your eagerness you shall be deemed worthy to receive the crown of martyrdom and to rejoice eternally with the Martyrs and the Righteous Fathers. Sealing him with the sign of the Cross, he blessed him. And it came to pass according to the Saint's prophecy. While travelling to Thessalonica, this man who was Macarios (blessed) in truth, preached Christ befroe the Moslems. He was mercilessly tortured and beheaded and he received the crown of martyrdom, These things were revealed to the divine Niphon by the Holy Spirit, and he said to Ioasaph, his other disciple, "Know, son, that today your brother Macarios was perfected through martyrdom, and goes to rejoice in the heavens." Then he took Ioasaph and departed from the Monastery of Vatopedi secretly.

AFTER SOME FORTY YEARS' absence, he returned unrecognized to the Sacred Monastery of Dionysiou. In this Monastery there was the custom, instituted by the founder, that whoever would go there to live the monastic life might be received only if he consented to become mule-driver in order to haul wood and do other work for as long a time as the Abbot specified. Only then would they take him into the Monastery and make him a monk – or, if he were previously a monk, would then number him among the brethren.

When, therefore, St. Niphon went to the Monastery unrecognized as a lowly old man, after being questioned by the Abbot according to the custom, he was accepted as a novice. He made a prostration and began to serve as mule-driver. His duties were to groom, tend, and water the mules during the day, and at night to keep watch over the sea for pirates. During this time while he was still unrecognized, there came men sent from the Church of Constantinople, who were seeking him in order to raise him once again to the Ecumenical throne by royal authority. But because they were not able to find him, they departed.

One day the Saint was assigned to keep watch on a certain high place opposite the Monastery, for pirates would appear suddenly at that time on the Holy Mountain and take many fathers as prisoners and seize whatever they could. In the midst of the night while the Saint was standing in prayer where he was keeping guard, some virtuous monks keeping vigil round about that place saw a flame which arose from the earth to heaven. One brother who was on guard with the Saint, and who awoke at that time, saw the Saint as if he were aflame. Terror-stricken, he drew back from the place and hastened to the Monastery, where he declared to all the awesome sight, as did the other monks also. [Today there is a chapel dedicated to St. Niphon on the very spot where he was standing.]

All gathered in the church and entreated the Holy God to reveal to them who this man was upon whom this sign appeared. The Lord hearkened to their entreaty and revealed him in this manner: The Abbot of the Monastery saw in a vision that he was in the temple, and there the divine Forerunner appeared and said to him, "How long will you have the Ecumenical Patriarch, who has saved a myriad of rational souls, as a keeper of beasts? Arise, and call the brethren to meet him and give him proper honor." When the Abbot asked, "Who is this Ecumenical Patriarch?" the holy Forerunner answered, "Niphon, whom yon know as Nicholas, who looks after the animals. Enough is his great humility, at which even the angels in heaven are amazed." When the Abbot awoke, he was filled with great wonder. After much time he came to himself, sounded the simandron, and all the brethren gathered. He then recounted unto them his vision, and they learned that the mule-driver was Patriarch Niphon. When the blessed one, as mule-driver, approached the Monastery, all came out with candles and incense and met him with honor.

Immediately, as soon as the wondrous Niphon saw them, he attempted to flee, but they overtook him. He then threw himself upon the earth, wetting it with his tears. The Abbot made a prostration and venerated him, kissing his holy hands, and said unto him, "Enough, enough, O ecumenical luminary, is your great patience! Enough is the utter privation which you have undergone voluntarily. Enough, moreover, is the great humility which you have shown without us wretches knowing it." All the brethren wept – especially those who had grieved him in ignorance – and they fell at his sacred feet seeking forgiveness. Then the Saint said with many tears, "For this reason, O my fathers and brothers, did the Lord hide me in this soul-saving place, as I besought him, that I might be saved from the cares of the world and find mercy at His terrible tribunal. For if, perchance, we do not deny fathers, brothers, relatives, every human glory and pursuit of this world, as He Himself commands us, then we are not worthy of following Him. For if we gain the whole world and lose our soul, what is the profit?" And to those who sought his forgiveness he said, "O my children and brethren, they who struggle in virtue must have meekness and love toward their neighbors, and must not be wrathful against them even though they suffer ten thousand injuries from them, for we are all men and none is pure by his own strength."

When the blessed Niphon had thus admonished them that they must not do similar things to others, but that each of them should do his service without anger or complaint, each one helping the other according to his ability, he blessed them and kissed them. Thus he entered the Monastery and for thirteen years struggled with such great hardship that it is impossible for one to narrate in detail all the struggles and labors to which the blessed one subjected himself. Although he was elderly and exhausted from perils and exiles, he served in all the needs of the Monastery as if he were one of the most abject of monks. He constructed many edifices from their foundations, visited the sick, and comforted the afflicted. Many times when I would go and stay there so as to be profited by his soul-benefiting teachings, I saw him digging in the garden, helping at the mill, going down to the harbor for provisions brought by the boats, and laboring together with the laborers so that they would not complain and lose the reward of their labors. Yet in spite of all this, the hater of good did not cease from warring against him. Finding some of his instruments, he aroused them to condemn and slander the Saint, calling him a hypocrite and babbler. He, however, being all-wise, recognized the schemes of satan and entreated God to strengthen him to be able to withstand all temptations to the very end, and to forgive his slanderers and save them as being the Friend of man. So much humility, patience, endurance in hardship, and voluntary poverty did he have that he did not take into account his hierarchal rank, nor that he had been Ecumenical Patriarch, but accounted these things as shadows and dreams.

One time when the Saint saw that the brethren bringing the Monastery's provisions from the metochia with the boat were in danger because of a storm, he found a way and entered the boat when they were near the Monastery. O Thy wonders, Christ King! The storm ceased, and there was a great calm. The brethren, falling at his sacred feet, said, "We believe, most reverend Father, that whatever you ask of God He will grant. For this reason we entreat you to pray unto the Lord, as one who has boldness toward Him, that from now on we might travel without danger at sea and bring the provisions to the Monastery without loss." "If perchance you are not negligent in your Rule and the Services, and you do not talk idly nor utter shameful and unbecoming words, the Lord will hearken unto you easily and will free you from every evil circumstance."

When the Saint had said these things, he knelt upon the anchor of the ship and, lifting his eyes and hands to heaven, prayed silently for a long time. When he arose, he blessed the anchor three times and said, "Take care, brethren, that you always put this anchor in a clean place. Whenever danger comes, hang it in the sea and you will travel safely."

From then on this great miracle would take place every time they were in peril at sea. So much did the monks reverence that anchor that whenever they offered incense during the time of a service they would also cense the anchor with piety, thinking that they saw the Saint before them. Whenever a storm would rise on the sea, the brethren would call one to another, "Cast the Patriarch into the sea so the storm will stop." Therefore, that anchor was kept as a valuable treasure in the Monastery for more than one hundred and fifty years.

When the Saint had come to advanced old age some ninety – years – he knew by divine revelation that the time had come for him to depart unto his longed-for Christ. He gathered all the brotherhood and disclosed this to them, exhorting them all to keep the rules of the monastic life exactly and to struggle in every way to be deemed worthy of the Kingdom fo the Heavens. All the brethren wept and mourned their being orphaned of such a Father. Then he said to the Elders, "Ask, my brethren, whatever spiritual matter you desire from my lowliness before I surrender my spirit unto the Lord." And all answered, "We desire, O most holy Father, that you give us in writing your divine blessings that they might be read at the grave of every brother when he dies that he might receive the loosening of sins which he, as a man, has committed." The Saint, being obedient to the end, did not disregard their request, but made prayer unto God with fervent tears that their request might come to pass. He said to his disciple Ioasaph, "Son, write the things that are spoken upon a paper that they might be an everlasting comfort unto the brethren."

When Ioasaph had written the prayers of forgiveness, the Saint said unto him, "As for me, I depart unto the longed-for God. And you, son, go to Constantinople and do all that I commanded you. There you shall receive the crown of martyrdom, that you might rejoice eternally in the heavens." Afterwards, he asked forgiveness from the entire brotherhood and partook of the Immaculate Mysteries. Thus he gave up his blessed soul into the hands of God on the eleventh of the month of August, in the year 1515, at the age of ninety. All the brethren wept over the loss of the good shepherd, and all the fathers that learned of it in the Sketes and Monasteries hastened to kiss the sacred relics. When a great multitude had gathered, they had an all-night vigil, and in the morning, with many present, they piously buried the shining luminary of the world, the steadfast rock of patience, him who had been most enduring in temptations, who had been tried as gold in the furnace and had suffered all things for the love of the Lord.

In this manner did the ever-memorable Niphon live the present life, and with such achievements and struggles and virtues did he shine in the world. Through divine baptism he gave rebirth, as Patriarch, to a multitude of Armenians, Jews, and Moslems, and with his divine and honey-flowing teachings he offered unto the Lord innumerable saved ones. He even offered up unto God his disciples with crowns of martyrdom, for the blessed Ioasaph, after the repose of the Elder, went to Constantinople and, doing as the Saint had commanded him, preached the Holy Trinity before the Hagarenes. He was tortured and finally beheaded, receiving the crown of martyrdom according to the Saint's prophecy.

IT IS TIME for me to narrate all those things that came to pass in Vlachia according to the prophecy of the divine Niphon. When the Saint had departed thence, great confusion came upon the Church of Vlachia, and great scandals arose among the ecclesiastics and the rulers. In the whole land there were great destructive windstorms, drought, and great hunger, and all came to know that these chastisements came from God because the Saint had been driven from there. Therefore Prince Radoulos sent everywhere for the Saint but did not find him, as he foretold.

After the repose of the Saint, Radoulos fell into a dreadful and incurable malady. His whole body became ulcerated and gave forth an unbearable stench, so that no one was able to approach him Thus with many pains he died and was buried in the Monastery of St. Nicholas, called Dalos, that he had built. After his burial, to the terror of those present, his tomb quaked for three days as had the tomb of the Empress Eudoxia in the time of St. John Chrysostom. Fear and trembling overcame all, and they brought to mind the holy Niphon – that all things had come to pass as he had prophesied. The good Neangos was also in danger, as the divine Father had forewarned him, suffering evils from two tyrannical princes. But according to the prophecy of the Saint, not only was he saved from every danger through his intercessions, but by request of all the people he became Prince of all Hungro-Vlachia.

When he saw that all the prophecies of his spiritual father had been fulfilled, and considering his godly teaching, he was altogether inflamed with divine love and longed to bring his sacred relics to Vlachia, that he and all that land afflicted by so many divine plagues might be blessed by his presence; and especially that Radoulos, who was under the Saint's curse, might receive forgiveness. Thus Neangos became a second Theodosios the Less, for just as he had brought the sacred relics of St. John Chrysostom from Koukousos for his mother Eudoxia, in like manner did the God-fearing Neangos do to divine Niphon, the new Chrysostom.

In 1520 he sent two abbots of the monasteries and two important princes to the Holy Mountain, to the Sacred Monastery of Dionysiou, with letters and many gifts that they might bring the holy relics. Upon arriving, they gave the letters to the Abbot of the Monastery, and when they had been read in the presence of all the brethren everyone remained without speaking for a long time.

Then the fathers said to the emissaries: "Most reverend abbots and most pious princes, we neither disdain the command of the prince, nor yet do we dare to stretch forth a hand upon the grave of the holy one. Indeed, we wretches cannot bear to suffer the loss of such a treasure which is the comfort of our Monastery... We do not dare to dig, but do yourselves whatever you desire." Then one of the princes, the Grand Logothete, took a mattock and, making the sign of the Life-creating Cross, said, "Supported by the faith and piety of my Prince, I take up this task and hope in the intercessions of the Saint that I shall not incur any harm." Having spoken thus, he began digging. As he approached the holy relics – O Thy unspeakable wonders, Christ! – that whole place was filled by an inexpressible fragrance. When all the brethren had gathered, they had an all-night vigil. The word went out to all the kellia and Sketes and Monasteries that were nearby Whereupon the fathers hastened with faith and piety to venerate the holy relics.

The almighty God, desiring to glorify the Saint even after his repose for his exeedingly great struggles and the labors of his asceticism, brought about many miracles from the Saint's relics at this time. After three days, the emissaries took the holy relics and set out for Vlachia accompanied by some monks of the Monastery. When they had crossed the Danube, they sent a message to the Prince, who immediately sent bishops, priests, deacons, and monks to meet the Saint. When the holy relics approached the city of Bucharest, he himself, the God-fearing ruler, came out with all the multitude of the people, who were bearing candles and incense. Embracing the reliquary, he kissed the holy relics with godly fear and tears. He then took them, in the reliquary, upon his shoulders and, with the foremost princes, came to the Monastery of Dalos and placed the holy relics upon the grave of Radoulos. They then had an all night vigil and prayed fervently unto the Saint that he might forgive the transgressions of the miserable Radoulos.

In the midst of the night while they were keeping vigil, Neangos the Prince fell asleep. He saw in a vision that the grave of Radoulos opened and his body appeared, blackened. From all his members pus was running, and there came forth an unbearable stench. Because Neangos was not able to bear it, he implored the Saint to have mercy upon the wretched Radoulos. Immediately, then, he saw that there gushed forth a fountain from the case of the holy relics, and that the Saint washed the whole of that foul body of Radoulos and made it most beautiful and most luminous. Thus again the grave of Radoulos closed. The Saint approached Neangos and said to him, "Behold, son, I have hearkened unto your supplication. Only now I beseech you to have peace always with your subjects, and to send my relics to my Monastery for the comfort of the brethren who struggle there." After saying this, he went and entered again into the reliquary. Upon awakening, the God-loving Neangos remained engrossed in thought for a long time as he considered all that he had seen. When he came to himself, he cried, "Glory to Thee, Heavenly King, Who hast glorified Thy beloved slave, St Niphon, with inexpressible glory." Then the psalmodies ceased, and the Prince narrated to all those things which he had seen in his vision, and all glorified God. In the morning, when the Divine Liturgy took place, a great multitude gathered even from the outlying parts of Vlachia and brought with them innumerable sick who kissed the Saint with tears and faith and received their health. The lame were restored, the blind saw, they who were tormented by afflictions were cured, and practically every illness was expelled from all those who resorted to the Saint with fear.

When the Prince saw that the Saint worked wonders daily, he gathered a synod and they decreed that the Saint be celebrated on the eleventh of the month of August, the day upon which he reposed, and they composed his whole Service. After this, the God-reverencing Neangos ordered that they make a golden reliquary with precious stones and adorned with most beautiful enamel. On its cover the Saint was depicted, and on the front Neangos was pictured kneeling. In this he placed the relics of the Saint, and kept only the holy skull and a hand, with the consent of the fathers. In return, he gave them the all-venerable skull of the glorious Forerunner and Baptist John, in a golden case adorned with precious stones which he sent to the Sacred Monastery of Dionysiou together with the holy relics of St. Niphon. He gave to the fathers also much assistance, and reconstructed from their foundations many buildings of the Monastery. For all these things he is commemorated unceasingly as founder. As for the head and hand of the divine Niphon, the evermemorable Neangos had them with him wherever he went, for sanctification and the turning away of every evil, until he reposed. After his repose, he dedicated them to Arzesi, the beautiful monastery which he had built. They are found there to this very day, to the glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.