Venerable Niphon

Life

Born in the region of Argyrokastron in the village of Loukov, the son of a priest. From youth the desire for solitude and prayer drew him. That desire finally brought him to the Holy Mountain, where he struggled first in the cave of Saint Peter of Athos and then in the desert of Saint Anne. He would not even eat bread but fed on grass and roots. Certain envious persons accused him of supposedly abhorring bread, from which charge he easily and quickly vindicated himself. At last he joined Saint Maximus at Kapsokalyvia. Because of his sincere love for God, Niphon was endowed by God with the gift of wonderworking and clairvoyance. He healed the sick by prayer and anointing with oil, and he perceived events that had occurred and that would occur. He prophesied of himself that he would die during the Apostles' Fast. And when the day of his repose dawned, he said to the brethren around him: "Do not weep but rejoice, for you will have in me a prayerful intercessor before God for your salvation." At last he said: "It is time to go!" And he gave up his holy soul to God on June 14, 1330.