Alphan of Novgorod

The venerable brothers Alphan of Novgorod, with his brothers Niketas, Cyril, Nikephoros, Clement and Isaac, lived in the fourteenth century at Novgorod. They led a righteous life and founded the Sokolnitsky Monastery. As the chronicles relate, a wooden church dedicated to Saint Nicholas was built on the Sokol hill and a monastery was founded in 1389. The Alfanov (Sokolnitsky) brothers were kinsmen of the chronicler James Anphalov (or Alfanov), who fled to the Dvina to avoid pursuit because of his dealings with Moscow. The righteous ones were subjected to misfortune because they were related to James and purified themselves through their innocent suffering. In the Tale of the brothers, a miracle took place at their relics.

Their memory is celebrated on 4 May (new style; 17 May on the old calendar) and on 17 June. After a fire destroyed the Sokolnitsky Monastery, their relics were transferred to the Antoniev Monastery on 4 May 1775.