Nifont was Archbishop of Novgorod from 1130 to 1156, the first prelate of Novgorod the Great to hold that title, though it appears the title was held personally and did not extend to the office until 1165. During his tenure, the prince of Novgorod was first dismissed and "shown the road," beginning Novgorod's period of independence in 1136 which was to last until 1478. In the first year of his tenure, Nifont appointed Anthony of Rome the hegumen of the Antoniev Monastery, which Anthony himself founded before 1108.