Hierarch
Hierarch Saint Arcadius, Bishop of Novgorod
†1163
Saint Arcadius of Novgorod — the first hierarch elected by the people of Novgorod themselves at the veche, rather than appointed from Kiev.
Saint Arcadius, Bishop of Novgorod, began his monastic life at Novgorod's St. George (Yuriev) Monastery. In 1153 he founded the Dormition Arkazhsky Monastery near Novgorod and became its abbot. After Bishop Niphont of Novgorod died on April 21, 1156, the people of Novgorod, gathered at the veche, elected their own bishop for the first time in the city's history — choosing Arcadius, marking the start of local election of Novgorod's hierarchs rather than appointment from Kiev.
He was consecrated in Kiev on August 10, 1158, returning to his see on September 13. He was greatly respected and repeatedly used his pastoral authority to calm civil unrest in restless Novgorod.
He reposed on September 19, 1163, and was buried in Novgorod's Cathedral of Holy Wisdom. Venerated in the Synaxis of Novgorod Hierarchs; principal feast September 18/October 1.