St Niphon the Athonite (XIV)

The Venerable Niphon the Athonite was the son of a priest and was brought up as a Christian from childhood. After being tonsured a monk the saint was also ordained hieromonk, but a thirst for complete silence and for the labour of the desert brought him to the holy mountain of Athos, where for many years he laboured together with the Venerable Maximus Kavsokalyvites (commemorated 13 January). The Venerable Niphon died at the age of ninety-six. He became renowned far and wide for his gifts of wonderworking and foresight.