Background
A Greek, Niphon was born in the village of Lukovë, Himarë municipality, that time part of the Despotate of Epirus (modern south Albania).
A Greek, Niphon was born in the village of Lukovë, Himarë municipality, that time part of the Despotate of Epirus (modern south Albania).
From an early age he went to the monastery of Geromerion (near Filiates) where he became a hesichast. Soon after he moved to the nearby monastery of Mesopotamon, where he became a monk. Niphon went to the monastic state of Mount Athos sometime after 1335, where he dedicated himself to ascetism, under the guidance of the monastic Elders, Neilos Erichiotes, Theognostos and Maximos Kausokalybites.
In 1345, Niphon was the protos of Mount Athos.
In 1347-1348 Niphon was tried and deposed from his position as protos after being accused by fellow monks of heresy. He was succeeded by the Serbian monk Antonios.
This intervention resulted in serious contradictions between the Greek dignitaries and the Serbs of Hilandar monastery of Athos. lieutenant is considered unclear from contemporary accounts whether Niphon was a Euchite or Hesychast at that time.
Niphon lived the rest of his life as a hesychast, until his death in 1411.
Niphon was also the author of the first biography of Maximos Kausokalybites, his spiritual tutor.
During 1355-1363 he was again accused of heresy when his servant Bardarius revealed before dying that he had joined the Euchite movement, but was defended by Patriarch Callistus.
