Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște, Honorary Metropolitan, Patriarchal Exarch, and a member of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches, celebrates his name day on Monday, the feast of Saint Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople, reflecting a distinguished ecclesiastical career marked by international representation, academic excellence, and decades of pastoral and missionary service.
He was born on January 5, 1944, in Crețești-Vidra, Giurgiu County, to Anghel and Maria Mihăiță, receiving the baptismal name Nicolae (Nicholas).
The future hierarch would become one of the most academically accomplished members of the Holy Synod, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and a PhD in Old Testament and Hebrew Language from the University of Bucharest, a Master’s degree in Theology from King’s College London, and undertaking further postgraduate studies at the Anglican College in Jerusalem (Israel) and the University of Geneva (Switzerland).
His Eminence also holds a PhD in Theology from the University of Oradea, with the thesis The Book of Micah: Theology and Exegesis, under the supervision of Rev. Prof. Dr. Dumitru Abrudan.
Between 1975 and 1980, he served as a church chanter at the Romanian Orthodox Parish in London, a pedagogue and professor at the Theological Seminary in Bucharest, and later as chief documentarian, head of service, and secretary of the Patriarchal Administration’s Department for External Church Relations.
In 1980, he entered Cernica Monastery, was tonsured a monk with the name Nifon, ordained a hierodeacon and then a hieromonk, later elevated to the rank of archimandrite, and sent on a church mission to Canada.
Upon returning to Romania in 1982, he was appointed Patriarchal Counsellor in the Department for External Church Relations, and in 1983 entrusted with leading Antim Monastery in Bucharest.
On November 24, 1985, he was elected Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop, continuing to oversee the Department for External Church Relations.
After the fall of communism, in 1993, the Diocese of Slobozia and Călărași was established, and in 1994, he was elected and enthroned as its first diocesan bishop.
In 1999, he was elected Archbishop of Târgoviște and enthroned on December 26 of that year.
On March 7, 2008, in recognition of his extensive service in the “Lord’s vineyard,” the Holy Synod granted him the honorary rank of Metropolitan ad personam.
Alongside his pastoral, missionary, and administrative work, Archbishop Nifon has played a significant ecumenical role, representing the Romanian Orthodox Church at numerous assemblies and conferences bringing together representatives of various Christian denominations, and at times of other religions.
He has published theological works in the field, including Orthodox Youth and the Ecumenical Movement (1978), The Christian Orthodox–Jewish Consultation (1979), Orthodoxy and Ecumenism: Studies, Conferences, Meditations (2000), and The Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Movement (2002).
His academic pursuits also focus on promoting Christian culture and mission, as well as national values, through works such as Mission and Life (2002), Christian Missiology (2002 and 2005), and The Religious Policy of Michael the Brave (Archdiocese of Târgoviște Publishing House, 2001).
Throughout his fruitful ministry, His Eminence Metropolitan Nifon has been awarded various ecclesiastical and civil honours and distinctions.
Photo: Basilica.ro
