German of Novgorod

Saint German, hierarch, was a monk of the Kyiv Caves Lavra and bishop of Novgorod from 1078 to 1096. Ordained by Metropolitan John II, he remained in his see until his death in 1096, in Kyiv. He is commemorated on 10 February by the old calendar, and in the Synaxis of the Hierarchs of Novgorod.

The date of his birth is not known. According to traditional church history he was tonsured a monk at the Caves monastery in Kyiv. In 1092 he founded in Novgorod, on Sinichya Hill, the first convent for women in the city.

It is supposed that before becoming bishop at Novgorod he founded and led the monastery of the Saviour at Berestovo near Kyiv, which the people also call Germanech, meaning that of German. If so, the saint is first mentioned in 1072, as abbot, at the translation of the relics of the holy princes Boris and Gleb to Vyshgorod, at the church of Saint Basil. This remains a supposition.

In 1439 German was canonized at Novgorod as a local saint, and after 1549 his veneration began throughout the whole Church.